Question How can I test a really old power supply?

[Steliosem06]

Hi,
I found this old,1992 computer and I want to try and fix it but before I do so,I have to test it out,right?But im afraid that if I plug it in,the power supply is going to blow up,and screw up the whole thing.Can that happen?And if yes,whats the safest way to test out this power supply?Ι remember powering up and old pc monitror I had found once,and it didnt end up well.It catched on fire and it almost burned my whole house down.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Well are you comfortable with opening the psu? I would check to make sure there is no bulging/leaking capacitors and nothing visably wrong

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4RE84J1728&Description=psu tester&cm_re=psu_tester--9SIA4RE84J1728--Product
New Digital LCD PC Computer Power Supply Tester 20/24 Pin 4 PSU ATX SATA HDD Testers

 

[Steliosem06]

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4RE84J1728&Description=psu tester&cm_re=psu_tester--9SIA4RE84J1728--Product
New Digital LCD PC Computer Power Supply Tester 20/24 Pin 4 PSU ATX SATA HDD Testers

Wait,what?I actually have this!I had no idea what it was used for though.Well,that helps,I will probably watch some tutorials on youtube on how to use it.

 

[geofelt]

For your purposes, the tester should do the job.
It will test the psu with the only hardware at risk being the tester.

If the tester fails, your psu is no good.
If, however, the tester passes, it does not guarantee proper functioning of the psu.
That will be done when you actually use the psu in the pc.