Gateway Parts

help, computer power supply broken?

hello people, i'm kind of new to the yahoo answers. anyways, one morning i open my desktop and it starts up but then in about 2 seconds it just closes on me. I think there might be something wrong with the power supply. I wait a few minutes and open it again but same thing happens. I have a box of disassembled parts from my old computers. I have another power supply in there but I dont really know how and if I should replace it. Is the power supply the problem or is it something else? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks the sticker on the power supply says output: 300W max

Public Comments

1. It sounds possible. Does the power supply have a wattage stamped on it? Sometimes on older models, they can't keep up. I've found many below what the mobo maker recommended wattage. I always keep a spare on hand, so try one, and if that's not the problem, at least you've got a spare. Do check all connections on mobo.
2. Also Make sure that everything has power connected and make sure that everything is seated correctly.
3. HI !!! WELCOME TO YAHOO ANSWERS IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! LETS SEE................ THERE MAY BE FEW REASON FOR THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. ONCE I ALSO EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR SITUATION WHERE AS SOON AS I INSTALLED SOLARIS OS. THE BIOS PROGRAM DOES THIS IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS. THE POSSIBLE ERRORS ARE AS FOLLOWS 1. AS U SAY, DEFECT ON POWER SUPPLY. 2. CPU COOLING FAN IS DEAD & PROCESSOR ISSUES. 3. HDD ERROR 4. DUST. 1. POWER SUPPLY. if your power supply is old,or if the time has come, the output voltage may vary which is not good for your computer. specially when the 0V wires are not functioning (i.e if the power supply is not properly grounded) after 4 seconds , the prower supply is disabled. SUGGESTIONS ARE, CHANGE THE POWER SUPPLY. 2.CPU COOLING FAN IS DEAD &PROCESSOR ISSUES. this is one strong reason the computer is getting off. so, please check whether the CPU fan is properly connected or is it functioning properly. and when the CPU gets overheated the Computer gets off. SUGGESTIONS, REMOVE THE PROCESSOR UNIT, AND CLEAN IT UP. THEN APPLY SOME NEW SILICON PASTE ON THE COOLER AND THEN FIX THE COOLING FAN ON TOP OF IT. PROPERLY CONNECT THE CONNECTORS. 3.HDD ERROR when your computer's Hard disks fail ..... the computer gets off too. PLEASE REPLACE THE HDD AND CHECK 4.DUST A common factor for almost every computer breakdown !! IF THE ABOVE 3 DOESN'T WORK, AD IF YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH COMPUTER ASSEMBLY, REMOVE ALL THE PARTS OF THE COMPUTER, DUST THEM PROPERLY AND THE RECONNECT THEM PROPERLY. GOOD LUCK !!!!! :-)