Windows 7: can "power supply" be fixed/repaired

One of my PCs at home is a XP Pro machine that we use downstairs. The power supply (relatively new) seems to work the board...etc...but the power supply fan does not turn ?

Have tried 'flipping' it with a stylus both while off and while power is on...but the fan will not turn.

Is there a fuse (or anything) in the power supply that would control the fan...or am I off for a new power supply box ?

Thanks...TiminAz

First, are you sure the PSU fan is bad? Many of the newer PSU's fans do not run until additional cooling beyond what the case fans push through the unit is needed. I would let it run and keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn't show signs of overheating (such as releasing the built in smoke).

If the PSU fan is bad, I do not recommend trying to work on it yourself. There are no fuses inside that you can replace. What is inside are capacitors that can hold enough of a charge to kill you, even if the unit has been off for sometime. I saw a post recently about a teenager being killed working inside a PSU.

On certain computers, there is in the BIOS a setting that enables the fan to always run.
Check for that.

Many power supply fans do not run all the time. They only run when a heat sensor tells them to run. Most of your Gold power supplies do this to keep power usage down when not needed. To check it the easy way.
Run Prime 95 at 100%. It loads your PC and that will force your power supply fan to come on. All you have to do is watch the fan. You should also watch your temps when using a program like Prime 95. My power supply fan seldom comes on and when it does it is a low speed. DO NOT go inside a power supply. Their is nothing inside the power supply that you can safely do anything with.

Thanks all...have yet to see the PS fan run today...and if I restart Windows...everything still works fine...but if I shut down...and then try to power on again...my case fan and CPU fan spin for a couple of seconds...then stop.

I if I power on and off...this repeats...about 5-6 seconds of fans..then nothing. If I wait about 1/2 hour...system runs and starts normally.

Have also noticed on the MB there is a readout panel that always reads FF. I don't remember seeing FF before but can't be sure.

Have been running Speccy and so far temps stay in the OK range...cpu runs at about 42c - motherboard @ 51c - graphics @ 62c - hdds @ 30c & 32c??

Any way to tell what FF means on the MB's digital readout panel ?

TiminAz

I really don't understand. If your cpu fan does not run all the time the computer is on your cpu temps would go why up (100-c plus) and the computer would shut down. I know nothing about a Nvidia motherboard so I can't tell you what FF means but the answer should be in your motherboard manual. If I understand your post properly you could have a power supply problem. The only two ways I know of testing a power supply is to replace it with a know good power supply or taking it to a repair shop which should have a power supply tester. Their are other things that can cause your problems but you must know that the power supply is good first.
Please note: You do not want to run your computer if the cpu cooler fan is not working. You will make a toaster out of your cpu and motherboard.

Thanks...I will try swapping the Power Supply and see what happens...!!??

TiminAz

To the best of my knowledge, some motherboards will request the fan to spin for a few seconds upon startup as test, that maybe your issue in this case.

Download a legal copy of the Windows 7 installation DVD with SP1 integrated from here: Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River.
Make sure you get the same version you have, Home Premium, Pro or Ultimate and 32 or 64 bit. Note that Basic or Starter is not available.

I recommend using ImgBurn at 4X speed (or the slowest available) to create the DVD from the downloaded .iso file.
You can do this on any computer capable of burning a DVD, family member, friend, etc.

For techies or folks who work on computers: Create Windows 7 Universal ISO With All Editions Selection On Install with ei.cfg Removal Utility.
This will fit on a 6GB flash drive or can be burned to a DVD.

Try booting from it by selecting the USB/CD/DVD as the first boot device. If it boots, it's a Windows problem and not your PSU.

Thanks all who helped...changing power supply corrected the issue !!

TiminAz