Power Supply Dying?

By beanboy89
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beanboy89

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I have an Antec SP500 500W power supply that I got in 2006 when I built my desktop (specs in sig.) I haven't had any problems with it until now. Today, the power supply has started making a really high-pitched whining noise. It's defiantly the power supply (placing my ear right up next to the back of it is the loudest). While the PC is powered on, the noise is constant, and it persists for a little while after shutting down. If I put the computer to sleep, the noise alternates between a high pitch and a slightly lower pitched noise and then subsides after a while. During this period, after shutting down, if I pull the power plug from the back of the unit, the noise stops, likewise it does if I flip the switch on the back. I haven't noticed any other power-related issues, but this high-pitched noise is really annoying and I think actually gave me a headache today. I guess it's time to replace the unit?

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Grand Master

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Posted
Posted

from the way your descibing it it sounds like a fan in the psu is going ...why risk it? replace it before you have the replace a lot such as a motherboard if the psu blows

I second this, only I press it further, (with plenty of luck)....I always replace a dead power supply fan with a new fan when I hear that fan squeal...or what else I've found, and I'm not joking here...is that KY massage oil usually (if applied sparingly to ONLY the fan bearings, let sit a while, turn by finger (no pun intended)....and those stuck fans will usually free themselves....just MAKE SURE you've properly discharged the capacitors (again, no pun intended) from the power supply...google can help you there...also....wait for the oil to seep into the bearing/bushing...then cover the back with a fresh little strip of duct tape....make SURE you wipe up any excess oil...I.E., do NOT let it drip....ANYWHERE or touch ANY wires....if you use a push-pin, or a baby pin, and put about three dabs of it into the bearing/bushing, ..it can end up okay. I have done this on I can't tell you how many fans that have been ruined...well, almost....in this west-texas dust....power supply, case fans....even a graphics card, although it was so meticulous, it scared me, lol! But it is possible....just not advisable. :shiftyninja:

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beanboy89

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Thanks everyone. I don't really feel comfortable with opening up a power supply just to lube up a fan. I've always heard the warnings about not opening up a power supply and I had a bad experience with a capacitor when I was a kid trying to take apart a camera. Ever since then, I haven't taken them lightly. I'd rather buy a new power supply than shock myself. Anyone have any recommendations for a decent ~500W power supply for about ~$50 or less?

Grand Master

Astra.Xtreme

Posted
Posted

It doesn't sound like a fan issue anyway. A high pitched sound usually means a MOSFET is on it's way out or already dead. It would just be a matter of time before it dies completely.

Just a random guess, but your voltage rails might not be at the levels they should be, so your motherboard and other components might be at risk if this is true.

But yeah, hurry up and get that PSU replaced.

Veteran

philcruicks

Posted
Posted

Thanks everyone. I don't really feel comfortable with opening up a power supply just to lube up a fan. I've always heard the warnings about not opening up a power supply and I had a bad experience with a capacitor when I was a kid trying to take apart a camera. Ever since then, I haven't taken them lightly. I'd rather buy a new power supply than shock myself. Anyone have any recommendations for a decent ~500W power supply for about ~$50 or less?

Your gonna struggle to find a high quality 500W PSU for $50...just filtering on newegg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031 is the only one I'd suggest.

If you can afford a bit more in the 50-75 range there are some good ones, including this Corsair one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

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the big dill

Posted
Posted

It doesn't sound like a fan issue anyway. A high pitched sound usually means a MOSFET is on it's way out or already dead. It would just be a matter of time before it dies completely.

Just a random guess, but your voltage rails might not be at the levels they should be, so your motherboard and other components might be at risk if this is true.

But yeah, hurry up and get that PSU replaced.

I agree, it doesn't sound like a fan issue at all... especially for the fact that it is still whining after you power off.

Even though i would still replace it, i would recommend you clean your components, because dust build up can harm your components, most likely the case here.

Grand Master

inactive

Posted
Posted

if that's the same noise i heard on my old Emachines PC it's sort of faint but you can definitely hear it and it also stopped once i unpluged it or hit the switch. but that PC don't see much use anymore and it's not a standard PSU in it etc so i just did not worry about it. but as others have said... if you got some spare $$$ it could not hurt replaceing it now before it possibly gets worse.

but on my current PC my PSU ended up giving me some warnings like turning off and not wanting to turn on etc etc before it got to the point i just said the hell with it and got a replacement (but it eventually completely died before i ordered a new one though as it would not turn on at all). it was a shame as i had that PSU for roughly 4 years and it was $109.99 new (back in March 2006) and it was a Enermax Liberty 500watt PSU. my replacement is a 630watt Rosewill which i got for about $60 back i think in about mid-2010,

p.s. i generally leave my PC on 24/7.

  • 4 months later...
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beanboy89

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Sorry to bump this, but, it finally died today. Had the PC powered off for a few days while I was on vacation and when I flipped the switch on the PSU and hit the button to power on the PC, it stuttered (heard the fans try to power up and the case lights flickered. Shortly thereafter, I smelled a burning smell. Just hope nothing aside from the PSU is fried. If so, I'm not too concerned; it's an excuse for me to make some upgrades which are long overdue.

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beanboy89

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I think that I may need more than just a new power supply now. I tested a known working 350W supply with the computer and after connecting just the 24-pin power connector and 4-pin power connector to the motherboard, nothing happens when hitting the power button. I probably should've replaced the poser supply before it blew. :/

Grand Master

Joseph B

Posted
Posted

Yes... Yes you should have. Just as everyone had stated previously.

I know that high pitched noise all too well, and it should persist even with the computer turned off, so long as the PSU is plugged into power.

Once that starts up, you should buy a new PSU the next day because you never know when it'll decide to die after that point.

Rising Star

Burned

Posted
Posted

I have an Antec SP500 500W power supply that I got in 2006 when I built my desktop (specs in sig.) I haven't had any problems with it until now. Today, the power supply has started making a really high-pitched whining noise. It's defiantly the power supply (placing my ear right up next to the back of it is the loudest). While the PC is powered on, the noise is constant, and it persists for a little while after shutting down. If I put the computer to sleep, the noise alternates between a high pitch and a slightly lower pitched noise and then subsides after a while. During this period, after shutting down, if I pull the power plug from the back of the unit, the noise stops, likewise it does if I flip the switch on the back. I haven't noticed any other power-related issues, but this high-pitched noise is really annoying and I think actually gave me a headache today. I guess it's time to replace the unit?

I used to have one of those. Its a sign its dying. The capacitors are most likely swollen. I believe that sound is the power output coil.

I no longer buy Antec. I warrantied mine and they sent me another with the same crappy capacitors. The replacement died after a year.

Go buy something like Corsair, Seasonic, or anything with a PLUS 80 rating.

BTW I have never seen a PSU cause damage to a mainboard from failing. I repair PSU all the time for the company I work for and I am also a computer tech on the side. Seen many cheap chinese power supplies blow and never had to replace a board because of it.

Grand Master

simplezz

Posted
Posted

Shorting the PS_ON/COM (I use a paper clip) on the 24pin mobo cable (obviously not while connected to PC) will run it independently of the PC and confirm if it's the PSU or something else. It's most likely the fan's ball bearings as others have said. If it is the fan, it can be changed, or you can get a new PSU.

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beanboy89

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I'm at a loss here. I have basically disconnected everything from the motherboard except for the processor, RAM, connectors for the power/reset button, and obviously the power cable. The known working power supply that I'm testing with is a 350W. May this not be powerful enough for my motherboard and that's why it's not working? Furthermore, I've noticed that there are three bulging capacitors on the video card (a 256 MB ATI Radeon x700). Could this have been caused by the original power supply failing?

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