My PC is acting a little funny...when I hit the go switch it seems like a breaker has been tripped. I have to turn the rocker switch on the back off & then on to get it to reset. I may have to go through this procedure seven or eight times before it'll stay on. I'm thinking its the power supply getting old, as it is the original to the tower. Does anybody know how difficult it is to remove & replace the supply? And should I maybe go with a higher rated one? I don't remember if I have a video card or not, but maybe go with a higher rated one in case I decide to add something like that later on? Any help will be appreciated & Thank you!
Ever Replaced a Power Supply in a PC?
- Thread starter timn8er
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Herknav
Member
The process of switching it out is extremely simple. As to the other questions, good luck. 
ChuckS1
US Veteran
A screwdriver is all you'll need. Go to Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More! and you'll see more power supplies than you'd ever thought existed.
Sure.
What brand and model number PC do you have?
Generally power supplies in Watts are sized for the mother board and a reasonable set of expansion cards. So the original capacity should be ok. I would not see a need to overspend.
What brand and model number PC do you have?
Generally power supplies in Watts are sized for the mother board and a reasonable set of expansion cards. So the original capacity should be ok. I would not see a need to overspend.
edw794
Member
besides removing the screws attaching the power supply onto the computer box, you would need to unplug any cables or wires coming out of the power supply like the motherboard cable, hard disk drive power cable, etc.
Acroyer
Member
Also, keep in mind that the power supply will most likely have 2 power connectors which lead to the motherboard. The main plug might be a 12 or 16 pin, and the secondary can be configured in a couple of different ways, and, for some reason, will most likely be placed in a spot that is almost impossible for a grown man to reach (ATX boards, mAtx, and so on.) It's good to have younger kids sometimes to reach into those tight places.
My suggestion would be to get the old one out and take it to the store with you. Plop it on the counter and tell the guy to "gimme one of these." Make it at least 500 watts, especially if you are running USB stuff off of your computer (you need to power them, too.) Expensive is not always better. See what is on sale.
I am fortunate enough to have a Microcenter nearby, and if all else fails, I have an account on Newegg.com.
My suggestion would be to get the old one out and take it to the store with you. Plop it on the counter and tell the guy to "gimme one of these." Make it at least 500 watts, especially if you are running USB stuff off of your computer (you need to power them, too.) Expensive is not always better. See what is on sale.
I am fortunate enough to have a Microcenter nearby, and if all else fails, I have an account on Newegg.com.
OP
timn8er
Absent Comrade
Its a PC that a friend put together for me about six years ago. I seem to remember it has an Athlon Quad processor, & not much else. I think I'll go with the higher rated one. I'll pick one up Monday & have it sitting there while I remove the old one so that I can hopefully re-install without problems. Thank You everybody for your help!
cmort666
Member
Name brand or home built?
If somebody built it from commercially available parts, it's trivially easy to replace the power supply. Just open the case up and remove the connectors from any devices (drives or video card) and the motherboard (usually two connectors). Unscrew the power supply and replace with a unit of equal or greater wattage. If necessary, take the old supply to the store with you.
If it's a name brand, you might have to have a store order one for you, or get it off of ebay. Back in the '90s, HPs desktop power supplies were like nobody elses. I haven't tried replacing a power supply in a name brand machine in years, so I don't know what they're doing these days.
cmort666
Member
If it really is the power supply, you should have absolutely no problems at all. If it's something else, a new power supply might not fix it, or you could even damage the power supply.
The odds are it's the power supply. If you still have the problem, look at the motherboard for signs of trouble, like burnt spots or damaged capacitors. The latter is a real problem these days. I've got a dead ECS motherboard with a bulged capacitor. They can be replaced, but given your reluctance regarding the power supply, that's probably not something you'd want to tackle.
Your problem just highlights the wisdom of avoiding name brand computers if you don't want to or can't afford some kind of comprehensive service contract. Apart from the motherboard, just about anything in any of my computers (laptops excluded) can be replaced at 3:00am from a Super Walmart. Having a component built machine, you have the same benefit.
Comrad
Member
Watch your connector, there are usually little locking tabs that hold them together and if you begin yanking without disengaging the locking tab you could pull a wire out and that would make an easy job a little tougher and spoil your day for sure.
OP
timn8er
Absent Comrade
"The odds are it's the power supply. If you still have the problem, look at the motherboard for signs of trouble, like burnt spots or damaged capacitors. The latter is a real problem these days. I've got a dead ECS motherboard with a bulged capacitor. They can be replaced, but given your reluctance regarding the power supply, that's probably not something you'd want to tackle." Cmort
I wouldn't say "reluctance"; I just prefer to err on the side of caution! You are right about messing with the motherboard though, its not something I'd care to try. I'm famous, or maybe infamous, for cold solder joints.
I wouldn't say "reluctance"; I just prefer to err on the side of caution! You are right about messing with the motherboard though, its not something I'd care to try. I'm famous, or maybe infamous, for cold solder joints.
I've replaced a fair number of them over the years. It's pretty easy if you are even minimally comfortable using tools.
One thing you might consider if you are iffy about where the connectors go is taking some digital pictures before you start removing the old one. The connectors are pretty much fool proof though.
Take your time doing it and you'll be fine.
One thing you might consider if you are iffy about where the connectors go is taking some digital pictures before you start removing the old one. The connectors are pretty much fool proof though.
Take your time doing it and you'll be fine.
Oh and by the way, it might be worth to go to your local big box store (WalMart, Costco, etc.) to see what deals are out there on a new PC.
Sometimes it just isn't worth repairing older units if the time / cost / aggravation adds up too much.
Not saying in your case, but parts swapping on older PCs can get frustrating if you aren't real sure about the cause of your issue.
Here is a Dell Inspiron bundle for $459:
Dell Inspiron 3000 Desktop | Intel Celeron | Windows 7 Professional
There are also much cheaper alternatives out there.
Here is a Dell Optiplex, system only, for $119 on Overstock:
Dell OptiPlex GX520 Pentium 4 3.0GHz 2048MB 160GB DVD Win 7 Home Premium Minitower Computer (Refurbished) | Overstock.com Shopping - Great Deals on Dell Desktops
You'd have to get a monitor, unless your current one will work.
Chances are that any bottom feeder computer you buy today will be leaps and bounds better than what you have now. That's why I usually buy the cheapest machine I can buy. For example our Acer laptop was $199 at Costco. We just use it for Turbo Tax etc.
Just saying you have options, good luck.
Rich
Sometimes it just isn't worth repairing older units if the time / cost / aggravation adds up too much.
Not saying in your case, but parts swapping on older PCs can get frustrating if you aren't real sure about the cause of your issue.
Here is a Dell Inspiron bundle for $459:
Dell Inspiron 3000 Desktop | Intel Celeron | Windows 7 Professional
There are also much cheaper alternatives out there.
Here is a Dell Optiplex, system only, for $119 on Overstock:
Dell OptiPlex GX520 Pentium 4 3.0GHz 2048MB 160GB DVD Win 7 Home Premium Minitower Computer (Refurbished) | Overstock.com Shopping - Great Deals on Dell Desktops
You'd have to get a monitor, unless your current one will work.
Chances are that any bottom feeder computer you buy today will be leaps and bounds better than what you have now. That's why I usually buy the cheapest machine I can buy. For example our Acer laptop was $199 at Costco. We just use it for Turbo Tax etc.
Just saying you have options, good luck.
Rich
Once you get the new power supply installed, before powering up, do a visual check for burned/charred components. When you do power it up, make sure the cooling fan works and is not clogged up with dust.
sipowicz
Member
While you are in there, look around carefully...we have some missing forum members.
It's gotta be easier and not much more expensive to buy a new box. No fuss, no muss, no worrying about Locked connector tabs, or burnt spots on motherboard.
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