Possible PSU problem?

[rmboransing]

(Long post ahead, sorry for possible engrish.. not my 1st language)

My PC specs:
Intel E4400 2.0
Team Xtreem Dark 2GB (2x1GB)
Gigabyte GA-EP43-US3L Intel LGA775
XFX HD 5770 1GB
1 x Seagate Baracuda 500GB SATA
2 x Seagate Baracuda 80GB IDE
Silverstone ST400 400w
Lancool PC K62


Prior to today, Ive had zero problems w/ my PC in terms of hardware.

Problem:
Earlier this morning I turned off the switch on my PSU because I wanted to clean my HDD tray and I wanted to avoid being grounded. After cleaning, I returned the HDDs, closed my cpu casing and switched on my PSU. When I switched it on, as usual, I wait a few seconds before turning on my PC. I saw my mouse' LED lit up indicating that i have turned on my PSU but after about 2 seconds it turned-off and then I couldn't turn my PC on anymore.

I tried disconnecting my video card since I knew I was pushing my PSU when I bought the 5770. Still my PC wont start

I unplugged and plugged-in the 4-pin connector near my CPU, and my 24-pin connector(w/ my GPU still disconnected). PC still wont start

I plugged-in my GPU and tried one last time and still didn't start my pc

After a few hours (3-5), I turned on my PSU then to my surprise my mouse lit-up and this time it didnt turn off.. I turned on my PC and it booted w/out any problems. I had my PC on for about 6 hours then it shut off. This is the first time my PC did this.

Questions:
What is wrong with my PC?

What should I do to diagnose my problem?

How do I test my PSU if it really is damaged? (I need to make sure so I can send it back for warranty)

If ever the problem is w/ my PSU, should I fear for any damage to spread to my other components? (mobo, gpu, etc)

Tnx in advance!

 

[rmboransing]

bump

(sorry, i really need your help)

 

[Slayer32163]

What i would do is try to post with the bare minimum a computer needs to post(cpu ram mobo and psu) If that doesnt work, it could be that your power supply is broken but try and get a different power supply from a friend to test. It is probably a psu problem. No damage would not go to your other parts if you did turn off the switch.


p.s. i had a similiar problem nut mine had more catastrophic results cough* fire cough* when my psu had a pinched cable connecting to my fan controller, it caused it to short and light the fan cord on fire. make sure you have no pinched cables

 

[rmboransing]

i cant try another psu on my system since none of my friends have branded PSU. my friends w/ branded cpu's are in another city 🙁 im afriad that using a generic psu would do further damage to my system.

what i can do tho is use my psu on my other rig. an old p4 system.

 

[Slayer32163]

A power supply will never damage your system if it cant power it enough, it will only damage your system if it either shorts out the system or catches on fire.

Also, i can run my amd 955 be @ 4ghz and a hd 5850 on a 400w psu so im positive your fine with a regular generic psu.

 

[Slayer32163]

If you can, go out to your closest hardware store and buy a cheap 400w psu if the silverstone doesnt work in another pc. A 400w power supply should never cost more then 35$ or whatever your currency is.

 

[rmboransing]

ok i think i can borrow some generic psu.

atm, im disassembling my pc. going to move the psu to another system.

 

[rmboransing]

btw, is it safe to try to turn on my psu using a paper clip?

a detailed instruction would be awesome.. i dont trust the other websites

tnx!

 

[jsc]

Our standard checklist and troubleshooting thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261145-31-read-posting-boot-problems

Try to borrow a known good PSU. Or better yet, see if you can test your PSU in another working system. If you cannot do that, try to borrow a DMM to measure the voltages. Yellow wires should be 12 volts. Red wires: +5 volts, orange wires: +3.3 volts, blue wire : -12 volts, violet wire: 5 volts always on. The gray wire is really important. It should go from 0 to +5 volts when you turn the PSU on with the case switch. CPU needs this signal to boot.

You can turn on the PSU by completely disconnecting the PSU and using a paperclip or jumper wire to short the green wire to one of the neighboring black wires.

This checks the PSU under no load conditions, so it is not completely reliable. But if it can not pass this, it is dead. Then repeat the checks with the PSU plugged into the computer.

 

[rmboransing]

i did the paper clip test, it didnt start. i guess its dead?

my psu is still under warranty, but i ordered another one w/ higher wattage.

what could have caused the damage on my psu? i just wanna know so i can prevent it from happening to me again. tnx!