Troubleshooing power supply to component level

  • Thread starter Thread starter HBYardSale
  • Start date Start date
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HBYardSale

Greetings, power supply fans!

I am in the process of getting a dead emachine going, and first found that I
have a bad power supply. Any info from the guru’s on how to troubleshoot it
to the component level and save it from the landfill?

I know replacing it is cost effective, but this is a for a hobby and I’d sure
appreciate some info. Also, I’m stuck with no schematic.

I put up some info here on my new adventure in the emachine world:
http://www.geocities.com/hbyardsale/emachine.html
 
I am in the process of getting a dead emachine going, and
first found that I have a bad power supply.
I know replacing it is cost effective, but this is a for a hobby
Click to expand...

FAQs:

www.nutsvolts.com/PDF_Files/PSRepair.pdf
www.repairfaq.org/sam/smpsfaq.htm

Unplug the AC cord before doing any work (do not simply turn off the
switch, even a power strip or surge protector switch), and never
operate the supply except with its cover installed (including screws)
and its power cord plugged into a grounded 3-prong outlet (not all
3-prong outlets are grounded). All diagnosis can be done with the
supply unplugged, by using a simple volt-ohm meter.

Exact replacement parts are usually difficult to find, and many do not
cross to any NTE substitutes. Fortunately close substitutes are
rarely needed for computer power supplies, and you can almost always
use anything that meets or exceeds the original component's voltage,
current, and power ratings and is of the same general type. Types of
transistors found in computer power supplies are NPN and N-channel
MOSFET, types of diodes are regular, fast recovery, and schottky. In
other words, do not substitute a MOSFET with an NPN or a schottky with
any other type of diode.
 
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