Is There a Safe Way to Confirm a Dead Power Supply Before Starting an RMA?
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MellowCedar42
My Super Flower Combat FG 850W power supply suddenly stopped working after a little over a year of use. The computer would not turn on, and the paper-clip test produced no response. Is there another safe diagnostic I can try, such as checking the rails with a multimeter, or should I stop troubleshooting and begin the warranty replacement process?
Answers
Some power supplies have a zero-RPM fan mode, so the fan not spinning by itself does not always prove the unit is dead. You can use a multimeter to check the voltage rails, but if the paper-clip test shows no signs of life, starting the RMA is probably the best next step.
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I would go straight for the RMA. Avoid opening the power supply while it is under warranty, since that can void coverage and expose you to dangerous stored voltage.
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QuietMarble19: Exactly. Opening a PSU is not a worthwhile diagnostic experiment unless you have proper experience working safely with mains voltage and know how to verify that the capacitors are discharged. For most people, replacement through the warranty is the safer option.