One of your computers won’t start, and no lights are seen when you turn on the power. When you use your multimeter to check the voltage on the motherboard power connector, no voltage is seen on any of the pins. Which of these is the most likely cause of this issue?
A) The motherboard is faulty
B) The power supply is faulty
C) The power supply wattage is insufficient
D) The motherboard is in standby mode
E) You forgot the pay the power bill
The answer: B) The power supply is faulty
If your multimeter shows no voltage, then no power at all is coming from the power supply. Even if the power supply was underpowered for the computer system, some voltage should be seen from the power supply. To confirm the issue isn’t with the power source, a common step would have been to also check the outlet for AC voltage.
 |
Want to know more? Watch “Troubleshooting Power Supplies.”Troubleshooting power supplies requires some specialized tools and some common troubleshooting techniques. In this video, you’ll learn about circuit testers, the value of a good multimeter, and how to use these tools to troubleshoot power outlets and power supplies. |