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Intermittant Power Supply problems on a desktop

by Ken
(Scotland, UK)

Hello,

I'll admit upfront I am a novice and although I understand how computers work and have replaced the odd component (sound card etc) I have no experience of repairing computers.

I have an intermittent power problem which appears to cause my PC to "pause" during operation (typically the mouse will temporarily freeze - less than a second - or music will be interrupted, again for less than a second).

It very rarely will completely turn itself off, but more often will not power up. I took the back off and found that if I move the cable near where the power cable the lights on the LAN port came on indicating power was restored. As it happens a colleague of mine had a look at it and tried replacing the PSU. Exactly the same problem showed.

So am I right deducing the problem is with the connector on the motherboard. If so, what do I need to do with it - or am I barking up the wrong tree!

Running XP SP2

Ken

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Intermittant Power Supply problems on a desktop

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Oct 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Intermittent Power
by: Support

Hello Ken,

It would seem to me that if you moved the power cord from one side to the other in the Power Supply socket that the power cord would be the fault, that is the connectors inside the power cord are not making a solid contact with the pins from the power supply receptical.

When you changed the power supply did you use a new power cord or the old one?

I don't think your motherboard connector is at fault if you move the power cord and the power is restored.

Hope this helps ...
Oct 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Int PSU problems
by: Anonymous

Impressed by quick response - thanks

Its a totally new power cord hard fixed to the other PSU
Oct 10, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Intermittent Power problem
by: Support

Hello Ken,

When you changed the power supply you had to disconnect all the power cables from the drives and the motherboard connector, as you surmised it could be the power connector on the motherboard.

My misunderstanding about moving the cable.

Ok, one thing that you could try if you are familiar with soldering is to take the motherboard out of the computer and on the underside you will see a row of solder joints that correspond with the pins in the power connector on the top side of the motherboard.

With your soldering Iron clean apply a light amount of Rosin Core Solder for Electronic soldering (do not use an acid based solder that you would use for soldering copper pipes!) and lightly touch each solder joint on the underside of the motherboard for the power connector.

You just want to heat up the joint enough to melt the solder to make a good connection, no need to remove the old solder and apply new solder.

You need to be careful with the amount of heat you are applying to the motherboard because too much heat will cause the motherboard bond to separate causing more problems.

I would do one pin on one end of the connector then go to the other end and do one then back and forth until all the pins have been resoldered, this will reduce the concentration of heat in one place vs. starting on one end and going from pin to pin one after another.

It does sound like you have a cold solder joint or two on the power connector.

Good job with the Troubleshooting!

Hope this helps ...

P.S.
Reordering a cold solder joint is cheaper than replacing a motherboard.

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