Computer Cases & Towers

ATX SMPS Troubleshooting – Step-By-Step Checklist to Help You Quickly Troubleshoot an ATX SMPS

ATX Smps troubleshooting is not as hard as it seems. By using a proper check listing system, you can certainly troubleshoot and fix an ATX switch mode power supply without much fuss.

Now let me share with you my step-by-step checklist…

Oh, and in case, you need more in-depth instructions - detailed, easy to follow photos, diagrams and things like that – then you should check out the following smps repair manual.

I've been using this manual as my reference for repairing all types of smps including video game consoles, notebooks, LCD TVs etc.

Take a look here: http://smpsrepair.info (opens in new window)

Now, let's take look at the following ATX smps troubleshooting checklist...

•    Switch on power supply and conduct necessary measurement. If overvoltage is the cause, then you'll see increments in the 5 and 12 volts line.

•    Remove the casing. The components are likely covered with linen and dust. Get rid of those using a brush and mini vacuum.

•    Examine the power supply fan. This is fairly obvious, but some folks might overlook it. Always check the fan when conducting ATX smps troubleshooting. Overheating is one of the leading causes of smsp failure.

•    Dual Schottky barrier rectifiers are found in many ATX power supplies. AC wave is changed to DC volts via this barrier rectifier so you should examine this as well. Use an analog meter with the setting at X10K ohms.

•    Examine components carefully. The cause of failure can be attributed to common component issues like decayed glue, components damaged/dislodged etc.

•    Once you've detected the problem - let's say one or more capacitors are not working then replace them according to specification. The capacitors are easy to replace.

•    As for decayed glue, you should gently scrape them off the components and clean using quality thinner solution.

•    Connect the smps to an unused motherboard (to be on the safe side) along with hard disk to measure the overall performance including output voltages.

If everything is well and good, you may connect it to the actual CPU. If it works for the unused motherboard, then it should work for your intended CPU.

Once again, if you need a manual on repairing smps complete with easy-to-follow pictures and diagrams, just go to: http://www.smpsrepair.info/

About the Author

Jerry Gazila

Why Purchase A Micro ATX Case?

If you like to keep things modest, streamlined, efficient, then you may have a difficulty finding the correct ATX case. Most of us just settle for buying a large case and keeping a little pc inside of it. This is well and very good should you already had a good case laying around or if you are sentimentally attached to one, but otherwise, you may desire to look into getting a micro ATX case for your micro personal computer.

Here are a few of the benefits to housing your pc in a correctly sized case...

It Takes Up Much less Space

This is an obvious one, but what may not be obvious is how incredibly convenient it may be to keep a smaller tower on your desktop (or under it). If your personal computer is little enough, you are able to locate circumstances that would enable you to keep it in a drawer inside your desk. Not that you would need to, though, as it would overheat, but still, theoretically, you could store your computer anywhere so long as you'll be able to still plug it all in.

It Looks Pretty Cool

A smaller case truly does look pretty cool. Whenever a gaming organization downsizes a console, everyone oohs and aahs over it even if the interior, the guts of the machine are basically identical in terms of function. The exact same goes for computers. Do we Want Macs to be so small? No, but they look truly neat, and for some people, that's the entire reason they acquire a Mac in the first place over a PC. If you're a PC user, you are able to still get in on the form AND function thing by just not wasting a bunch of space and plastic on your personal computer.

It is Environmentally Friendly

Well this is kind of an odd one, but still, some men and women like that they're wasting far less plastic on micro circumstances. If you're environmentally minded, this might well be a significant part of the appeal of micro circumstances for you. These circumstances use anywhere from ten to fifty percent (or a lot more) much less plastic than their full sized counterparts.

Less Overheating

You might think that all that extra space within your case is really helping to keep your personal computer cool. Reality is, it turns the whole thing into a great big oven. The fan in your computer cools the air surrounding your hardware rather than the hardware itself, so it only stands to reason that your pc will overheat less usually in case you don't stick it into a pizza oven of a case.

You will Use Much less Electricity

And obviously, if you're utilizing a smaller fan to cool a smaller quantity of space, it stands to reason that you will be saving some money on electricity. Again, that fan is designed to cool the entire whole case, so, the smaller the case, the much less power you will have to use to keep that fan working.

And there you might have it. If you're not convinced, well, then at least you know what the appeal of these instances occurs to be: They look cool, they're far more practical, and they're incredibly convenient for anybody with a smaller computer on their desktop.

Will a hd radeon 6870 fit in a rosewill challenger gaming atx mid tower computer case?

For the case the dimensions are 18.50" x 7.48" x 17.08"

Sure. It will work fine. Any ATX mid tower will work.

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