| Author |
Message |
oRioN
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 12:32 pm: | |
I've been using a 300W power supply since I built my computer several months ago. I've added things such as LED fans, cold cathode kits, etc. and the latest video card I purchased (GeForce FX 5900) requires extra power from the power supply. With this connected I have received problems about not enough voltage to the card, etc. However I solved this problem by upgrading to a 400W power supply.
Everything went beautifully until about 1 week after the installation of my new 400W power supply, my CD-R/W drive can no longer read CDs. I went through an extremely long list of possibilities, finally ending with formatting my PC which I hate to do, and now I'm stuck in DOS trying to install an operating system. No CD drive will work with my 400W power supply. I've tried several drives which work in other computers, but they cannot access CDs in mine. It mounts them fine, I can access the drive letter also. But if I type "dir/w" to view the contents it said it cannot be accessed.
I tried numerous things with process of elimination... finally I connected my older 300W power supply. My CD drive works, along with any others I put in.
My question is, why does no other CD ROM drive work with my 400W power supply? Are there certain specifications I must check for compatibility before I purchace a power supply? I just bought it a week and a half ago to support all the fans and lights I put into my computer... I'd hate to buy another power supply, but if I have to I don't want it to do the same thing. Thanks for your time...
oRioN |
Moderator (Es)
Username: Es
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 9, 2004 - 11:47 pm: | |
check the 12volt rail wattage as well as the 5volt rail 3.3volt rail wattage for the power supply in question. Usually 9 amps/108 watts on the 12volt line and 25 amps/140 watts on the 3.3 and 5 volt lines is more than enough for the average system. However some psu's are falsly representing these wattages as a peak and not as continuous or nominal. |
oRioN
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 - 9:38 am: | |
Is there any way I can see this information on the PS itself or a program I can use that displays this information?
It's weird... this PS worked fine for a week and a half with no problems at all... then suddenly it stops working with CD Drives. What you're saying is the 400W unit may not be supplying enough wattage to the line... as to where the 300W unit did this fine? I checked the specs of the 400W (problematic) supply, it states that the results are nominal and not at peak levels. It should handle it... but is there any way I can know the specs you asked about or a program to tell me? Thanks for responding.
oRioN |
Moderator (Es)
Username: Es
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 1:35 pm: | |
On the Label of the Power supply under investigation all the particulars should be listed as to what voltages carry which wattages. |
oRioN
| | Posted on Friday, March 12, 2004 - 10:31 am: | |
Here's my specs:
+3.3V (15.0 A)
+5V (30.0 A)
+12V (17 A)
-5V (0.6 A)
-12V (0.6 A)
+5VSB (2.0 A)
Doesn't say any wattages... which is what I need to know lol. However, on the box next to the "5V and 12V" lines it says Max 180Watts. I don't know why it's listed next to these 2 or what it's purpose is. Anyway, the problem is solved temporarily.
There are 4 molex connectors on a separate string of wires. And 2 strings total, making 8 molex connectors on 2 different "channels" if you will. I had everything connected to just 4 molex connectors on the same "channel". But I have splitters and adapters in the works too, so there are many more than just 4 devices. That was probably drawing too much off the dedicated circuit. So, I tried my best to balance the load... I connected the CD Drive to the other channel, alone, and it seems to be working fine now.
It kind of adds up... but it seems too simple to be the solution. Who knows? At least it's working for now lol
oRioN |
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