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Restarting

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by htrsdakota

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I have a pc that keeps restarting after the windows 2000 screen. I tried to test the power supply but I'm not sure I am using the multimeter correctly. I keep getting zero readings on the DC side while testing the motherboard connector. Am I doing this right?

4 replies

by tduval

Can you boot in safe mode (f8 while booting) ?

If yes, there's certainly a deffective driver in your installation

by csmith

This is not a hardware problem.
Yes, The meter is screwed up, or there is some error in use.
With power supply problems, it is not normal to get as far as the splash screen, and for the reboot to always be in the same place.
Power supply problemsare more random.
On meter use, remember that black in the PC is ground, and the black lead of the meter must be plugged into the minus (May be marked ground) terminal of the meter. (Maintain color code.)

Back to the problem: The problem is an error in the OS boot.
Try registry checking from a floppy.
Try safe mode.
or
Try OS reload.
Do you have tape backup?
Regards, Chris

by donmars

Obviously you are doing something wrong with the DVM. I presume you know how to attach the DVM and you have the leads plugged into the voltage port and not the current port on the instrument. You will not be able to see a voltage at the power plug with it plugged in. There is no voltage drop at that point since there is only current flow. To test your P/S you need to unplug it from the PC and short some pins with a test load, best left to qualified techs. You could look for the voltages elsewhere on the MotherBoard itself, also a risky setup, you may slip and short something out. These are switching supplies and they need a load to work. Try the supply in another PC if possible. this cut and paste may hint you at a probablity "In spite of the high end-user retail prices, our lab technicians were surprised by the test results. No fewer than 6 power supplies struggled under full load: 3 of the candidates simply went up in smoke, while the other 3 shut down prematurely. The "black sheep"among all the test participants was Maxtron, with the TOP-520P4. According to the manufacturer's specifications, this power supply is represented to be capable of withstanding 520 watts - divided up over the corresponding voltage ranges. However, inour test, it ceased working at 446 watts. Completely dead!"

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