550W Power Supply

[germantownpc]

So one of my clients computers seems to be cycling on and off when you power it on at their house. It won't even post. They live out in the boonies and they have had some type of electrical issues in the house before. Telephone company was just out fooling with their stuff as well.

I get the unit at my house and it powers right up. I took a test machine with a 250w supply and plugged it in at their house and the test machine booted up.

I thought maybe the 550w power supply was going out, but it runs like a champ here on my workbench without issue.

I took their computer and tested it out on other plugs in the house and it just sits and cycles on and off....

I'm concluding that they must have some sort of electrical voltage issue that the power supply is flunking its self test there for 550w supply....? Could their ground connection be screwed? They said they did have a whole house surge protector as well.

I've never ran into this problem and I'm a bit stumped.

 

[BadActor]

I've ran into the very same issue before, PC won't boot at the persons home and nothing wrong in my work shop. Finally traced it to the surge protector that was being used. The cheap ones can wear out very quickly over time in areas that are subject to a lot of voltage spikes. I think the surge protector could be your problem as well. Low voltage would prevent the PSU from sending a power on good signal.

 

[germantownpc]

I think the power strip they bought was brand new. They did have a few other things plugged into it also.

I know there isn't anything wrong with this 550W PSU. I went ahead and just bought a 520W one from Best Buy. I mentioned
bad PSU possibly too many times when I was out there so they want a new one as part of the diagnosis.

Here is the kicker, I know if I take this unit out there and the 520W works, regardless...there are electrical issues in their house...

I'm gonna have to make them sign a release form saying I've warned them about the electrical issue with their house.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.....this is one of those jobs thats turning into a nightmare and they live about 20 miles away in the sticks...

 

[BadActor]

I feel for ya. And chances are, the new PSU is going to work because it may be more tolerant of the power fluctuations. Actually makes me think the old one is doing it's job, shutting down the computer when it senses faulty power.

 

[germantownpc]

I'm hoping that is the case when I get it back out there tomorrow. The new 520W is in and works just fine. If it posts and boots up at the clients I'll be in business. Sign this form, pay me for this PSU, and I get a decent used 550w PSU to stick in my parts bin.

I'll take an extra power strip or two out with me too...

If this doesn't work, I'm going to tell the Clampet's that they need an electrician to come out.

 

[BadActor]

ROFL

 

[germantownpc]

Well the 520w worked at their house and they did take my advice and call an electrician to come out.

They kept the old PSU and gave me $50 for the new one I bought, plus threw me an extra $50 for the hassle.

Not a bad deal I guess....glad it worked.....on to the next puter....

 

[BadActor]

Cool!