Power Supply Diagnosis

[SmarSquid]

Here is my existing system:

Motherboard: Shuttle AN35N Ultra
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
RAM: 1 GB (across 3 modules)
CPU fan + 2 auxilary fans
2 IDE hard disk drives on primary IDE channel
floppy drive
DVD+RW on secondary IDE channel
PCI Firewire card
AGP graphics card - ATI Radeon 9600PRO (has its own fan)
Power Supply: Antec SmartPower SL450

If I try to add anything to this set up, like a DVD-ROM drive or a PCI IDE
controller card (or PCI video card), my system goes haywire. I have observed
the following when adding (one at a time) components.

1. PC doesn't power up at all
2. PC powers up, but onboard USB stops working
3. PC powers up, but auxilary fans aren't working
4. PC powers up, but (in a multiple) DVD drive set-up, the drives produce
burn errors (power calibration errors)

Removing the added component eliminates the related problem 100% of the
time, so I am left to assume that my power supply is inadequate. Does this
seem reasonable? I would think that 450w is good enough for what few things
are in my system, so I am confused and need validation that this is likely
the problem. I would like to stick with Antec power supplies, so in a case
where I need to replace, which model should I go for as the next step up?

I have indeed attached the 4-pin 12v connector from the mobo to the power
supply; which I think is for the sake of the AMD CPU.

 

[SmarSquid]

Oops! I have the SL350 Antec PS (350 watts, not 450 as I originally
mentioned).

 

[Michael Hawes]

Oops! I have the SL350 Antec PS (350 watts, not 450 as I originally
mentioned).

Sound like PSU not up to scratch.
Mike.

 

[w_tom]

Most computers run just fine with a 250 watt supply. Too
many hype big watts rather than first learn why failure
happens. Is your power supply failing? It takes but a minute
to learn - and nothing removed from the system. Procedure is
described in two previous discussions. Perform the tests both
on startup AND with programs accessing multiple hardware
peripherals simultaneously: "Computer doesnt start at all"
in alt.comp.hardware on 10 Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q and
"I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at http://www.tinyurl.com/2musa

 

[Guest]

Motherboard: Shuttle AN35N Ultra
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
2 IDE hard disk drives on primary IDE channel
DVD+RW on secondary IDE channel
AGP graphics card - ATI Radeon 9600PRO (has its own fan)
Power Supply: Antec SmartPower SL450

If I try to add anything to this set up, like a DVD-ROM drive or a PCI IDE
controller card (or PCI video card), my system goes haywire.

Removing the added component eliminates the related problem
100% of the time, so I am left to assume that my power supply
is inadequate.
I would think that 450w [SL350 Antec PS (350 watts, not 450] is good enough

You've proved that the power supply is inadequate, but a 350W Antec,
assuming it's in good condition, should be able to run all of that
equipment without strain. One possibility is that it's developed bad
electrolytic capacitors, especially if it was manufacturered roughly 2
years ago, when at least 6 Taiwan capacitor makers were scandalized
with using defective electrolyte (see:
www.nepatoday.com/cfforum/printthread.cfm?Forum=93&Topic=365)