Korean Job Discussion Forums

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

My old machine stopped working on Monday, and while I don't really need I'd kind of like to set it up over in the corner to work as a backup and to connect to the TV to watch downloaded TV shows and the like.

I just want some diagnosis help so I don't waste too much money on unneccessary parts.

It died while I was using it, with no error message, no warning (well, it seemed to be running slowly, but that happened all the time). No light on anywhere, no fans spinning -- nothing. I figured it was the power supply so I took that apart, but the fuse was good and there was nothing obviously melted. The power button runs through the mother board, so I'm pretty sure that it's either the power supply or the motherboard -- any way to tell, with a degree of certainity, which one?

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

A layman as I am in the field of electronics I know that every power supply has a transformer which can fail and will show no signs of failure except it stops working.

My guess, transformer.

New power supply needed. (I'm guessing).

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Beaver I think you already know what needs to be done, you're just avoiding the inevitable. The only way to be 100% sure is to swap out the parts. Take your new PC's supply hook it up to your old pc and see what happens.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Old computer: 300 watts, 18 pin connector to the motherboard.
New computer: 400 watts, 24 pin connector to the motherboard.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

That's really strange, the watts don't matter but I thought all newer power supplies were backwards compatible with older boards... some times the extra connector gets hidden among all the wires- are you sure it's not in there somewheres? Very strange then.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

On the other hand, the power supply for the new machine, having similar voltage requirements as a Yongbyon project, could blast the old machine along with Beaver into next year.

How old is the "old machine"?

by the way, the power supply of modern computers (at least, as of a year ago) is actually two different blocks, one with 20 pin and a 2nd supplementary 12 volt 4-pin one which was added around the time the first P4s came out (you sure the old computer isn't 20 pin instead of 18?). So 20+4=24 pin. Most computers will power up fine with just the 20 pin section connected.

My supplies provide two separate connectors of 20 pins and 4 pins (the 4 pin one is a 2x2 pin square) - maybe yours has the two fused together into one big 24 pin?

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Bummer, but I still think- unless you've got a good voltage meter and are willing to thoroughly go over the board and pwr supply- you're gonna need to find a pwr supply to swap with. Or if you have a local store nearby pick one up but make sure you can return it the same day if it turns out not to be the problem. How much would an old genereic 300W p3 pwr supply cost you anyway? I think I got one for around W15-20,000 and that was a few years back.

keninseoul · Joined: 09 Mar 2004 Location: Seoul

if not even the power supply fan works, then its the power supply

try the 2nd shops for a matching power supply - should be Cheap!

in Yongsong, its the alley and shops in the building to the NE sector - past the produce market...........................
find Lotteria, stand on the opposite side, go right on the main road, across the intersection, past the parking lot & produce market - make a sharp right, and go 10m - there its a covered alley - have fun.

the_beaver · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

It was the power supply -- price for a new one: 8,000 won.

Thanks.