PSU not powering down?

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alkit

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Hi,

I just got a new case+PSU, and it does as follows:

When I plug the power in, the CPU fan starts spinning at full speed and the hard drive powers up. Nothing appears on the monitor until I press the PCs power button - then the computer starts booting and the CPU fan calms down.

It runs fine once I've turned it on and gives no problem when on.

Same problem happens on shutdown. The computer 'turns off', but the CPU fan starts spinning really fast, and the hard drive does not power down.

Is there any way to fix this problem (I'd prefer to fix this as this was the last case of this type that they had in stock) or do I need to return the case for a refund?

Thanks for the help!
 
What case and power supply do you have - also, what motherboard do you have (make and model)

Are the case front-panel power/reset/HDD connectors all connected correctly to the motherboard, per your motherboard user manual?
 
Sounds to me like something might be faulty.

No idea to know exactly what from this distance; Either PSU or Motherboard.
 
Thanks for the responses.

It is the CAS015 (Foxconn based) case from Pinnacle. It uses a really weird shaped PSU. They only sell the 300W version at the moment (which is pretty noisy).
I had to go to their technical department and swap out the 300W for a 250W. with the 300W in, there was no problem. With the 250W in, this problem started.
I have to have the 250W as this will be used as an HTPC and the 250W is almost dead quite.

If I do have to return the case, can anyone suggest a similar (quiet) HTPC PSU and case for under R500?
 
Most likely a Proline 250W PSU then...

(Proline 250W PSU for CAP015/CAS015 Elegance Case 185x90x65, 20+4Pin Main, 1 x 4Pin 12V, 3x Molex, 1 x Sata)

AKA no-name brand. Id be weiry placing it near anything flamable. (couch, carpet, curtains ect) lol.

Dont know if its possible a cable has been plugged the wrong way round or something.

May help if you give us a short description of the hardware in the system. Just incase that psu is underpowered for starters.
(although the problem you described would have to be something else)

I know many people usually convert their old pc's ect to HTPCs not giving much thought as to what goes in.
For instance I got an 7 year old AMD mobo and a 6600gt lying around I was thinking of doing the same with dont think it would run well on a 250w though.
 
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ashTZA said:
Most likely a Proline 250W PSU then...

(Proline 250W PSU for CAP015/CAS015 Elegance Case 185x90x65, 20+4Pin Main, 1 x 4Pin 12V, 3x Molex, 1 x Sata)

AKA no-name brand. Id be weiry placing it near anything flamable. (couch, carpet, curtains ect) lol.

Dont know if its possible a cable has been plugged the wrong way round or something.

May help if you give us a short description of the hardware in the system. Just incase that psu is underpowered for starters.
(although the problem you described would have to be something else)

I know many people usually convert their old pc's ect to HTPCs not giving much thought as to what goes in.
For instance I got an 7 year old AMD mobo and a 6600gt lying around I was thinking of doing the same with dont think it would run well on a 250w though.
Click to expand...

Ya, I tried to get that power supply from Pinnacle, but they have neither the case nor the power supply. They are only bringing in the 300W models which are quite noisy.

Don't know how it's possible to put a cable in the wrong way as they all go in 1 direction?

Short Description of Hardware:
Asus G41M M-ATX Motherboard
Celeron E3400
Sapphire Radeon HD5450
Compro E650 Tv Tuner
2tb SATA HDD (Hitachi)
Proline m-atx case with (faulty) 250W PSU

Could I open up the PSU and look for something or take a photo and send to some1 that know what to look for?
 
alkit said:
Don't know how it's possible to put a cable in the wrong way as they all go in 1 direction?

Short Description of Hardware:
Asus G41M M-ATX Motherboard
Celeron E3400
Sapphire Radeon HD5450
Compro E650 Tv Tuner
2tb SATA HDD (Hitachi)
Proline m-atx case with (faulty) 250W PSU
Click to expand...

Are you using the Asus-specific connector block that came with the motherboard for the power/reset/HDD connections that come from the case-front? These must be in the correct order/connection to work properly, otherwise you could have issues.

Could I open up the PSU and look for something or take a photo and send to some1 that know what to look for?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't as it would void any warranty (if any) - maybe take the PSU to a PC shop and ask them to plug in a tester to see if the power outputs/rails are all functioning correctly.

TBH I'd just can this PSU and get something like a Corsair CX430 (R460.16) or similar. This Corsair's specs indicate "Ultra-quiet 120mm fan delivers excellent airflow at an exceptionally low noise level by varying fan speed in response to temperature".
A "silent" PSU will set you back R1000 or more...
 
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howardb said:
Are you using the Asus-specific connector block that came with the motherboard for the power/reset/HDD connections that come from the case-front? These must be in the correct order/connection to work properly, otherwise you could have issues.
Click to expand...

Not really sure what u mean - I just connect the pins to where they are labled on the motherboard.

I wouldn't as it would void any warranty (if any) - maybe take the PSU to a PC shop and ask them to plug in a tester to see if the power outputs/rails are all functioning correctly.
Click to expand...

Apparently Pinnacle's tech guys tested it before they gave it to me.
The weird thing is that it functions 100% when the machine is on. It's only on shutdown, that it just doesn;t turn off. That's why I was thinking that some chip/resistor isn't functioning correctly to give it a proper "shut down"
 
Although the Radeon HD5450 is pretty damn power efficient,
They still recommend a 400Watt PSU.

At the end of the day when u combine mobo/cpu/hhd/dvd ect,
you dont really want keep the psu loaded past half continuosly (especially those cheapies, they oftain lie and display peak output not continuous.)

Another rule of thumb, bigger the fan (140mm is awsome) the lower the rpm, then in turn the quieter it is. (also if you not putting it under heavy load, then it should run even slower if it has temp control). I doubt any half decent psu you're gonna hear a sound without poking your head right behind it.
I have a 750w corsiar, and I dont hear a thing with my case sitting right next to me.

Should be able to pick up a corsiar or thermaltake 400w for about R400
Only question, will it fit in the case?

Test your mobo btw by plugging it into another psu... im sure if u got another pc at home, just lie the two cases next to each other and plug in the others power to the mobo
 
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ashTZA said:
Although the Radeon HD5450 is pretty damn power efficient,
They still recommend a 400Watt PSU.

At the end of the day when u combine mobo/cpu/hhd/dvd ect,
you dont really want keep the psu loaded past half continuosly (especially those cheapies, they oftain lie and display peak output not continuous.)

Another rule of thumb, bigger the fan (140mm is awsome) the lower the rpm, then in turn the quieter it is. (also if you not putting it under heavy load, then it should run even slower if it has temp control)

Should be able to pick up a corsiar or thermaltake 400w for about R400
Only question, will it fit in the case?

Test your mobo btw by plugging it into another psu... im sure if u got another pc at home, just lie the two cases next to each other and plug in the others power to the mobo
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% - had I been able to fit another PSU into the case, I would chucked a 370W Gigabyte Odin PSU into there (which apparently is quiet).
The problem is we don't have a large variety of nice looking horizontal cases available in SA (unless you pay over R1000), so this pretty much is my only option for now? :(
 
Just a quick update - I disconnected the PSU from everything (ie, not even plugged into the motherboard at all) and as soon as I put the power cord in, the PSU turns on and its fan starts spinning. I also held all the cables in the air, so nothing could be touching the side of the case.
 
ashTZA said:
Although the Radeon HD5450 is pretty damn power efficient,
They still recommend a 400Watt PSU.
Click to expand...

No. The TDP is a whole 18W... 400W is overkill, for the rig listed 200W would be enough, 250 to be safe
 
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Not really sure what u mean - I just connect the pins to where they are labled on the motherboard.
Click to expand...

I think it's called a Q-Connector - makes it easier to connect everything up before plugging into the motherboard.
q-connector.jpg


alkit said:
Just a quick update - I disconnected the PSU from everything (ie, not even plugged into the motherboard at all) and as soon as I put the power cord in, the PSU turns on and its fan starts spinning. I also held all the cables in the air, so nothing could be touching the side of the case.
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound right at all - afaik, the PSU gets a "signal" via the motherboard when you press the power button (when everything is connected up properly).
If the PSU powers on when not connected to anything other than the wall power outlet, then there is a problem...
 
Archer said:
No. The TDP is a whole 18W... 400W is overkill, for the rig listed 200W would be enough, 250 to be safe
Click to expand...

19.1w according to some,
but my mistake, 300w is recommended most sites.

At the end of the day that whole system with gpu running at full tilt shouldnt
draw more than 170w (not even), but back to what I said about cheap ****, and not wanting to load em past half.

If u can find a reputable make 250w power supply by all means but I can't find anything decent below 400w, except for a corsair 390w for R360 or a zalman 360w for R500

Anyways, Alkit: try plugging in psu from another pc into your mobo. (leave all case power button/reset/speaker cables plugged into your mobo as they where.)
If you dont get the problem u mentioned, send back psu or even better, take your rig there, and have them test new one infront of u.
Seems you're stuck with what they got for that case... and you're right, everything else (case wise) is a ripoff to outright fraud.

Update:
I did find something that was um well... not cheap but not theft either, but doesn't come with a psu (takes normal size ones though), for R790 at profecy
http://www.prophecy.co.za/thermaltake-lanbox-silver-minichassis-microatxminiitx-p-37047.html
 
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There is also this http://www.isonic.co.za/cases_CHASSIS_ONLY.htm

Their only retailer listed has a sh*t site (pricelist zip file corrupt)
so I reckon you contact them directly for price/info.

This is a low profile case, does not come with psu, (but uses standard size atx)
only lowprofile cards will fit in it.
(I know your gpu is small enough but if it dont have the lowprofile brackets included, you'd have to take the one it has off and do without
look here if you want to know what I mean: http://www.techpowerup.com/img/10-02-03/18a.jpg )
Probly have to cut the top of the bracket for your tv tuner aswell... since I see that doesnt look like it comes with a low profile braket either (even though the card is low profile)
LoL probly should ignore anything I write if you want to keep your warrenty.

Just mentioning it here, cause it looks perfect to be sitting next to the tv along side an xbox.
and since it isnt a popular brand name Im hoping it would be cheap (R300 - R400) as I saw it mentioned somewhere on this forumn before round that price.
I might try and get hold of one myself.

edit:
there we go, a price reference (R300) : http://www.doubleinternet.com/productlist/category.php?id_category=38
 
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Thanks guys for all the help.

I did initalliy look at the Isonic case, but the problem with it is that it is an ATX size, so although it doesn't loook too bad in the pictures, I imagine it's a pretty large case.
My Proline case has only low-profile slots, so I made sure that both the gfx card as well as the TV tuner has low-profile brackets, so the low-profile is really not an issue.

As it stands now, I took my PSU back into Pinnacle to be checked. After convincing them that something was wrong (they couldn't understand that anything was wrong as it outputted all the voltages correctly), they agreed to have a look and fix it. I'll be going back on Monday to pick it up and will give feedback then.

Hope it will be sorted on Monday :)

EDIT:
The Proline case: 100*325*400mm
Isonic case: 100*350*465mm

Not terribly bigger. Might be an option should they be unable to fix my PSU....
 
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