27 Sep 2003, 18:35, Paul Rogers (1:105/360), wrote to All:

Hi Paul.

 PR> Anybody got any tricks for testing ATX power supplies, without 
 PR> trusting one with not frying a motherboard?  What's the best way to 
 PR> test a P/S?

I use stuff you might not have available.  I have a "dead"
Pentium II MB and 266 CPU (both have been tried with other parts and have
failed to boot).  The MB _does_ turn on the PS, so that's it's main
function.  I connect an ancient 10Meg Seagate full height HD that runs and
eats amps (but fails to seek), as a load for the +12V and +5V.  Then use a
meter to check the other voltages.  If nothing shows up as 'way out in left
field', I then connect it to a 'functional but intermittent' PII 266 MB and
attempt a boot to floppy.

If that also works, I then try it on a 'real' working MB.   

You _can_ have a PS put out good voltages, but have bad filter caps and get
too much ripple or noise which will prevent it from working with an
otherwise good MB.  

A close visual inspection is always a good start.  Get all the dirt and
dust out, look at the tops and bases of all caps for bulging or leakage,
look at the traces on the underside of the PCB for 'hot spots' (browning
color), check ALL the solder connections within any 'browned' area of the
PCB, look for resistors that show discoloration, etc.


     Good luck...  M.

--- Msged/386 TE 06 (pre)