Learning how to check your power supply and how to replace it when needed can be a life saver if you're a computer buff or in business with trusted PC.Don't take for granted simple pleasure of turning on your PC and everything works just fine.

We turned on one of our computers recently and in about one hour,it just re-booted itself.And it continued doing so about 10 times a day until we found out power supply was culprit.Things to look for when your power supply is going bad or just dies on you are following.

NO POWER TO THE COMPUTER

Here you must first check wall outlet for power by connecting another device such as a radio or lamp to be sure power is present.If computer is connected through a surge protector,check it as well.

If wall out has power,check power cable going to PC to see if AC voltage is making its way to system unit.Do this with use of a multimeter.

If there is power,you will have to open PC and check for power from power supply to motherboard.

When using a multimeter to check voltage,be sure you have a good ground for black lead of multimeter.

RE-BOOTING PROBLEMS

One main problem you may face with an ailing Power Supply is that it may re-boot computer without any warning.All information is lost and it seems as though this happens at worst possible time.

Booting errors when computer first start's up is another indicator of this component going on blink.

POWER DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS

When power supply begins to fail,you may receive power at one device and not another.For example,the Hard Drive may receive power but CDROM Drive has nothing at all.

Another headache with would cause re-booting is intermittent power going to drives or motherboard itself.Follow steps below to check your power supply should you experience some of above problems.

CHECKING THE POWER SUPPLY

The key is to be calm,take your time,and make it fun. Look forward to looking inside computer and see just how many components you can readily identify.

PC Repair's cdrom one and PC Test cdrom are filled with photos and video clips of these components. Remember to touch a doorknob or any grounded metal object to remove static electricity from your body.To install your new sound card,let's perform following.

OPEN THE SYSTEM UNIT

Remove system unit cover and locate an empty expansion bay.Note that rear cover of slot may have to be removed on most computers.Before touching anything,ground yourself to remove any buildup of elecrtical static charge from yourself. Touching computer case or a boorknob will do job.

With cover removed from system unit,lay computer on its side.You may have to remove other connections or devices to have clear access to empty card bay.

Take notes of any devices or connections that you make so that you can refer to them during installation of new card.

New sound cards must be installed in PCI slot. After removing small rear cover,remove new card from its protective wrap.This wrap is intended to keep card away from electrical static charge.

INSTALLING THE SOUND CARD

Grasp card and align it with PCI slot. Slowly but firmly press new card completely in PCI slot.Check to be sure no part of yellow contacts can be seen when card is pushed in.