How To Change a Dead Power Supply in a Desktop Computer

I'm not wishing this on you but as a computer user, it will happen to you someday. About a month ago, I turned on my  trusty system and...nothing happened. (=o(. I was flabbergasted! Just the night before, it had whizzed along at 90miles/hr all over the internet with no sign of impending doom. I thought it was tired after working from 7am - 2.30am redesigning my website,www.prettygoodoffers.com, so I decided to let it sleep another hour. But, 1 hr later, it still would not awaken.

After futilely trying to awaken it several times, I accepted the fact that my trusted buddy might have kicked the bucket. What was I to do? Almost my entire life was encapsulated in that machine. Of course I had parts on hand to build a new machine. But that felt like I was abandoning my old bud in its time of need. We had traveled so many places together and it had always been there for me when I needed it. It had been my mainstay when I helped other computers in their times of need. Now it needed me and I could not let it down.

 To verify my suspicions,  I performed this diagnostic.

•  First I checked all power cables connecting the computer to the power outlet to ensure that electricity was flowing to the machine. (Check.)
• Next I checked the video cable from the computer to the monitor to ensure that it was connected properly. Unplugged and reinserted it. (Check).
• Disconnected all attachments to computer except monitor. (Check. No response.)
• Disconnected monitor from computer. Monitor worked. Computer still asleep.

Diagnosis: Dead power supply in computer. Remedy: replace power supply.


Luckily for me, I had a working, used power supply in a computer shell I acquired from my brother several weeks before. I had intended to repair that computer but somehow I procrastinated too long. I removed the power supply from this machine and decided to give my buddy a heart transplant :o)! So this is what I did:

I disconnected everything attached to the dead computer.

Removed the case cover to expose the dead power supply.

Removed the four screws attaching the power supply to the case.

Carefully disconnected the power supply wires from the mainboard. (Be careful to not bend or break the connectors on the mainboard. Be firm but gentle. Pay attention to what goes where.)

Remove the power supply. (p.s. DO NOT OPEN! Curiosity can kill you.)

Having already removed the working power supply from the donor machine, I carefully attached its corresponding wires to the connectors on my mainboard. When completed, I used the screws from the old power supply to attach the new one on the case and voila!...my buddy had a new lease on life.

P.S. Just a few words of advice for you.

• Always disconnect all attachments (including power cables)  before performing any repairs to your computer.
• Dress appropriately when performing electrical repairs ( ;0) medical gowns not needed.)
• If working in a carpeted area, please wear rubber-soled shoes to prevent static electricity damage to electronic components.
• Wear an anti-static strap or touch bare metal before handling your mainboard or electronic components. (You can destroy them with static electricity from your own body.) 

• Ensure the new power supply is of the same wattage output or greater than the old one. (Check the labels.)

I am happy to say that since its heart transplant, my buddy is again whizzing along the trails of the internet. It has helped me to enhance my newly redesigned site, www.prettygoodoffers.com where you can now find incredible discount deals on electronics and other merchandise everyday. So if you find yourself in a similar situation, these steps should work for you.