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Upgrading November 2000 • Vol.8 Issue 11 Page(s) 124-125 in print issue |
Add A Power Supply | ||
 Unlike Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor, most power supplies have enough power, even if you add a second hard drive or a beefed-up sound card. However, if you have added numerous components to your computer, or if you begin to suffer the symptoms of an ailing power supply, you may want to consider upgrading your power supply. A power supply has two functions. Its main purpose is to convert the 110 volts AC (alternating current) that comes out of your wall socket into the lower voltage (5 and 12 volts) DC (direct current) that is used internally by the processor, hard drive, memory chips, and other components of your computer. The process of power conversion generates a lot of heat, so its second function is to get rid of this heat. This is why power supplies have a fan. In addition to cooling off the power supply itself, this fan helps to keep the remainder of the computer cool by keeping air circulating throughout the computer. As long as your computer is staying cool and your power supply can deliver all the power your components require, there is no benefit to upgrading your power supply. While the new unit might put out more power, if you don't need that extra power, it is just wasted.  Symptoms. A power supply is designed to last for the life of your computer. However, its demise can be hastened by power surges, a dirty or blocked air intake that makes it hard for the fan to draw in cooling air, and by too many added hardware components that overcome its ability to produce enough power. The typical symptoms of power supply problems include: • The fan stops working or makes a grinding sound • Smoke or the smell of burnt plastic comes from the power supply •The computer overheats •Not all the internal components (hard drive, fan, CD) can start at the same time •The computer cannot remember the date and time even after you replace the internal battery •The computer will not boot and does not make all the sounds associated with everything powering up or it spontaneously reboots after starting •Intermittent memory problems such as a parity error that goes away when you reboot •Any problem that goes away if you turn off the computer long enough for it to cool down •Error messages 01x or 02x In addition, many newer computers check out the power supply voltages when you first turn them on and can tell you when there is a problem. If you're experiencing some of the problems above, it may be time to upgrade your power supply. Find A Power Supply. Fitting a power supply is more difficult than a hard drive or other system component. There is no one-size-fits-all power supply. Many vendors use a proprietary case design and only their power supply will fit. This can be a particular problem if you have added a lot of components and actually need more power, since most vendors carry only one model for each case type and it has the same power output as the one that came in your computer from the factory. If your computer uses a standard-sized case or was a popular model, then third-party vendors may carry one that will work for you. Some vendors include Amtrade Products (http://www.amtrade.com), JDR Computer Products (http://www.jdr.com), PC Power & Cooling (http://www.pcpowercooling.com), and Power-On.com (http://www.power-on.com). Generally, technical support for your computer can point you toward other vendors that might carry a power supply that will work in your system. If you need more power than the computer maker supplies, technical support should be one of your first contacts.
Install A Power Supply. Installing a new power supply is not a difficult hardware upgrade if you can find the right power supply. Unlike most other hardware upgrades, there is no software to install and no drivers to fiddle with. You simply pull out the old one and put in the new one, and you are done. Installing the new power supply is just the exact reverse of removing the old one. You can save yourself a lot of time and aggravation by writing down everything you do as you remove the old one. Reverse that, and you have a step-by-step plan for installing the new one. The steps for swapping power supplies are as follows: 1. Turn off the computer and unplug it. Some power supplies have electricity in them and can shock you even with the system turned off, so it is critical that you unplug your computer. 2. Remove the monitor, keyboard, and other cables and move the computer to a comfortable working spot. If you are worried about reconnecting everything when you are done, mark the cables and connectors with colored fingernail polish before you disconnect things so you can match them together later. Many newer computers will already have color-coded plugs and cables. 3. Remove the cover. If you are unfamiliar with the inside of your computer, you may want to take time to study or even sketch the location of components to make putting everything back together easier. If you have a digital camera, take a photograph or two with it. Even a Polaroid camera or video camera is good insurance. 4. Locate your power supply. It is typically located at the back of your computer. Look for the fan; it is part of the power supply. Try to move any cables out of the way. You could remove them but you want to avoid that if possible, as it just adds more chances for a problem getting everything back together. 5. Double check. Unpack your new power supply and compare it to the old one before taking the old one out. Do the screws appear to be in the same spot? Does it have the same connectors in about the same spot? In general, does it look like it will fit and work? Making a different power supply work is difficult. There is no use proceeding if you have the wrong one. 6. Disconnect any cables going into the power supply. Be sure to pull on the connectors and not the wires themselves, as pulling the wires can damage the connectors. All of these wires must be connected to the new power supply, so flag them with tape so you do not forget any of them. 7. Remove the bracket. Some, but not all computers, have a bracket around the power supply. If you have one, it will generally be held in by four screws: two on each end. 8. Remove the screws that hold the power supply to the case. There generally are four screws in the back of the computer. If there are screws near the AC cord plug, you generally do not remove these. 9. Remove the power supply. Pull it out carefully and watch for any connecting screws that you overlooked. The power supply may be stuck to the case because of age but it should not take a lot of force to remove it. If gentle force does not work, look for an overlooked screw. 10. Slide in the new power supply and reverse these steps to install your new power supply. 11. You can, perhaps, save a little time by testing everything before you put the cover back on and move the computer back into place. To do this, you must connect the keyboard and monitor to the computer and make sure it boots. If there is a problem, you can then unplug the computer and troubleshoot without having to disconnect everything and remove the cover again. If you choose to do this, keep two things in mind. First, you can get shocked if you put your hand inside the computer while it is running. Second, if you drop a tool or screw inside the computer while it is running, you can damage or destroy the computer. So, if you decide to test the computer in this fashion, be careful. Once everything is working, you are ready to put the cover back on, move the computer back into place, and begin enjoying your new power supply. 
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