Is my PSU ok (low voltage readings)?

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freitasm

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#97751 20-Feb-2012 07:54

I've noticed my Lenovo ThinkCentre desktop is now and then shutting down on its own, with a second GPU. I've removed the GPU and it seems ok, but I've also noticed the PSU readings are a bit low:

Are these correct, or is this PSU in need of repair?

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#583697 20-Feb-2012 08:47

If it was me, Id be looking at repair/replacement. Ive always understood the 3.3v should remain around 3.3, regardless whats attached to the system.

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#583736 20-Feb-2012 10:26

I'd be questioning the validity of those readings - +12V is showing as +4.8V - how can a system even function in that state?

Most likely it is simply a case of a under-powered PSU, so the quick fix here would be to replace it with a larger one.

freitasm

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#583741 20-Feb-2012 10:31

It's the standard PSU for this Lenovo ThinkCentre model. And I am even using a SSD instead of the original 3.5" HDD, so less load than the original...

freitasm

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#583765 20-Feb-2012 11:00

Three year warranty on this desktop, so contacting Lenovo now...

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#583792 20-Feb-2012 11:44

Good luck... hope theyre more understanding with upgrades than what HP are. (HP wont help me because I installed Win7 64bit Enterprise instead of their default OS)

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#583795 20-Feb-2012 11:47

I would use a multimeter to confirm those readings, as the A/D converter on the mainboard could be borked. I would be very surprised if the system even booted with 3.3V rail at 2.1V!!!

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#583801 20-Feb-2012 11:55

If those reading are accurate, the 3.3v and 12v rails are scary low.

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freitasm

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#583804 20-Feb-2012 11:56

The only way to be sure is to get a technician around to measure it and replace if needed. Waiting for Lenovo to move now.

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#583808 20-Feb-2012 12:00

freitasm: The only way to be sure is to get a technician around to measure it and replace if needed. Waiting for Lenovo to move now.

Freitasm, you surprise me! A man of your abilities should easily be able to open the case and poke a multimeter into the appropriate pins on the mainboard power supply connector. There are no dangerous voltages present -- those exist only inside the power supply enclosure.

Are you saying you don't own a multimeter?

Then go and buy one quick-smart. It will be useful next time the battery in your car gets low and you need to recharge it.

freitasm

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#583810 20-Feb-2012 12:02

I had AA here this morning. We haven't used one of the cars in two weeks, waiting to get it to repairs, and with alarm and GPS tracking devices on, it was flat. I didn't have a starter.

grant_k

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#583817 20-Feb-2012 12:09

Even so, 2 weeks is a very short time for the battery to go flat. I suspect you may be up for a new battery before winter.

We went overseas for almost 3 months and when we came back, our Hilux Ute started straight away. 2 weeks should be no problem at all. A multimeter is a really handy thing to have, even for fault-finding the wiring inside your house, anything to do with your car, pretty much anything electronic.

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#584070 20-Feb-2012 18:06

grant_k: A man of your abilities should easily be able to open the case and poke a multimeter into the appropriate pins on the mainboard power supply connector. There are no dangerous voltages present -- those exist only inside the power supply enclosure.

Are you saying you don't own a multimeter?

That would probably void his warranty though, so is only advisable if outside of warranty.

freitasm

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#584097 20-Feb-2012 18:44

Opened a job with IBM. It's on site service, so let's see how it goes. The guy on the phone thinks the desktop shutdown is the motherboard, but seeing the power button only works again after removing and plugging the power cord back I still think it's the PSU.

Let's see what the technician says when s/he comes here.

freitasm

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#585807 23-Feb-2012 16:49

The desktop has a worldwide warranty, but I am told Lenovo doesn't have the AMD models in AU/NZ, so at the end I will be getting an Intel-based replacement desktop. It doesn't worry me much at all.