| There is perhaps no feeling more sickening than the | | | | watts. It is always advisable to buy excess capacity |
| one you get when you sit down at your computer, | | | | here. You'll spend a few more bucks, but the |
| push the power button and nothing happens. No beeps; | | | | component will last longer. |
| no whirring start up sound; absolutely nothing. Or | | | | Also, if your computer has a high end graphics card or |
| maybe your computer has started randomly and | | | | other high end components, it may have a power |
| spontaneously rebooting with increasing frequency for | | | | supply with a higher rating than stated above. If you've |
| no apparent reason. | | | | upgraded these components in the past and neglected |
| For the average computer user, these scenarios can | | | | to upgrade the power supply, this could have caused |
| lead to immediate panic and dread. Something must | | | | the failure and you should look at your upgrade |
| really be wrong if the thing won't even turn on. You | | | | documentation to determine how much additional |
| don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of a | | | | capacity you should buy to properly power those |
| computer but you've had a peek inside one and with all | | | | components. |
| those parts and cables everywhere the problem could | | | | There may be a designation of ATX or AT which |
| be absolutely anywhere, and that voice in your head | | | | indicates the type of case the unit was designed for. |
| whispers "with your luck it's probably really bad". | | | | Most newer computers are ATX, but there are some |
| Thoughts turn to computer replacement cost, massive | | | | older desktop computers out there with the AT |
| data transfer, and reconfiguring that home network it | | | | configuration. Take note of how the unit is attached |
| took you 3 days to get right. Maybe you can get it | | | | and where the screws are. Check the approximate |
| fixed. You pull out the yellow pages (since your | | | | dimensions of the old unit (length/width/height) just to |
| computer doesn't work and you can't get to trusty old | | | | be sure. Finally, whenever I'm replacing something I am |
| Google), and start looking for local PC repair | | | | not totally familiar with I always take a few cell phone |
| companies. Sure you'll be without your computer for 2 | | | | photos before I head out to the store. |
| weeks but what choice do you have? | | | | Go to your local computer store and buy a |
| Chances are you will run into this problem if your | | | | replacement unit that at least matches the maximum |
| computer is more than 3 years old. When you do, the | | | | sustained wattage rating of the old unit. Don't buy the |
| most likely culprit is a bad power supply. It has | | | | ultra cheap model. It will just burn out quicker and you'll |
| happened on every one of my last 5 computers. | | | | have to replace it all over again. |
| Manufactures are notorious for using cheap power | | | | Once you get it home, attempt to remove the old |
| supplies to reduce production costs, but the good | | | | devise by removing the screws and sliding it out. It's |
| news is it is amazingly easy to fix yourself. Once you | | | | heavier than most parts inside the computer so be |
| find the right unit, the repair takes minutes and you'll | | | | careful not to drop it on any of the more delicate parts. |
| spend a fraction of the price a technician might charge. | | | | If you can get it out with all the connections still intact, |
| Disconnect all power and external peripherals (printer, | | | | do so. Install the new one and then remove the cable |
| external drives, etc) from your computer and remove | | | | connections from the old unit and transfer to the newly |
| the cover or side panels. Don't be afraid, it only looks | | | | installed replacement one at a time. |
| intimidating in there. The power supply is located in a | | | | If you have to disconnect all the cables to get the old |
| corner. It is probably the largest component inside the | | | | unit out safely, remember the trusty cell phone photo. It |
| computer and looks like a metal box, usually with a fan | | | | will help you to easily reconnect all devices to the new |
| built in. The power cord plugs into it and there are | | | | power supply once it has been installed. In reality |
| various cables from the other components plugged | | | | though, most of these connectors are unique in size, |
| into the opposite end. It is very easy to locate. | | | | can only go into one receptacle and can only go in one |
| The box should have some labeling on it that will tell | | | | way, so there is no need to stress over it as long as |
| you the power rating. There may be two ratings, a | | | | you do not try to force anything into where it doesn't |
| peak wattage and maximum sustained wattage. | | | | belong. Make all your connections, replace your cover |
| Focus on the maximum as this is the number that is | | | | or side panels, insert the power cord and boot it up. |
| most important. It will usually be between 300 and 400 | | | | |