As was standard even 30 years ago, the power supply would go
into current foldback limiting. This is even defined by
Intel's ATX power supply specifications.
As power supply approaches its limits, voltage tends to
drop. The multimeter is an excellent tool to identify this
problem. A test especially important when Asian manufacturers
have discovered how technically naive so many N American
computer assembler really are. IOW many power supplies dumped
into N America are so deficient as to even self destruct when
under too much load:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/02q4/021021/index.html
However first learn all the components of a power supply
'system'. It is not just the PSU. Also existing is the power
supply controller, and power switch. Suggest you get that
multimeter immediately so that you can both learn how a power
supply system works AND find the reason for your problem.
Further information was posted in "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 .
One thing to learn immediately. Why are many brand name
computers supplies with same power supplies? Often the brand
name with machine with a 250 watt supply may have the same
power output as a hyped (discounted) 350 watt supply from some
clone computer assembler. Again, notice the problem that
Tom's Hardware had in getting real measurements.
Get the meter. Learn the concepts. Determine which of
three components in that power supply system may be causing
your problem.
