FSP300-60BTV Diagnostics

[BillyJack]

I have a 9-year-old VPR Matix FT-6100 desktop with an FSP300-60BTV power supply. The computer simply will not power on this morning and I would like to know how to do basic diagnostics on this power supply including locating any fuses or reset buttons.

I do apologize if my post is below the expected level of expertise.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

[Evil Lurker]

Re: FSP300-60BTV Diagnostics

This probably isn't what your wanting to hear, but I think it needs to be said.

IMO, its time to upgrade... I'm assuming it has an 845 series intel chipset, a P4 CPU, and it supports standard ATX format motherboards and power supplies. I'm also assuming that your running windows XP in a standard OEM configuration, and not a bios locked version circa 2005. In that case you should be able to drop in some new components and talk microsoft into letting you reuse your key... this will save you an OS upgrade for now anyways.

Trust me, trying to repair such an old rig is not cost efficient... a new motherboard, ram, and CPU will run circles around that dinosaur, and it can be had for less than $100. A good certified high efficiency 80+ PSU will set you back another $50-100, but after that you should be good to go.

Still not convinced it is worth it? Consider this... P4's don't have thermal management meaning it takes more electricity to run them. Couple that with a high efficiancy PSU and it will practically pay for itself in reduced electricity bills. And lets not forget PCI Express and all the nice graphics cards you can add-on. Even if you don't game, hardware assisted decoding of high definition streaming video over the net is a major plus... you can't get that with an AGP card (unless your willing to shell out major bucks).

As far as repairs (if your still determined to go that route) open up the PSU and look for swollen or bulging capacitors. If you see them, you know where to start desoldering. Just keep in mind that other things may have blown such as NTC thermistors, metal oxide varistors, transistors, mosfets (not in the case with that PSU it uses a different topology IIRC), rectifier diodes, zener diodes, and houskeeping circuitry. Oh yeah and if its probably covered in some insanely hard to remove glue that has become electrically conductive as old as it is. Then again it might have the silicone stuff that aint too bad.

[momaka]

Re: FSP300-60BTV Diagnostics

The computer simply will not power on this morning and I would like to know how to do basic diagnostics on this power supply including locating any fuses or reset buttons.

By "not power on", do you mean that the computer acts as if there is absolutely no power applied, or does it just try to quickly power than then turn off (or does it power but just not boot)? Please be more specific.

If it's the first case (computer appears absolutely dead - no lights, no fan twitching, nothing), the first thing to do is to measure the standby voltage of the PSU - you will need a multimeter for that (at this point, you don't need to remove the PSU from the computer yet). Set the multimeter to measure DC voltage, then put the black probe of the multimeter on the case of the computer or power supply and put the red probe on 5vsb (usually the purple wire) of the ATX connector. You should get a DC voltage of 5v or close.
If not, disconnect the PSU, let it sit for a few minutes, then open it, take some pictures, and post them here.
If you do get 5v, then disconnect the power supply from the computer and short the PS-ON (usually green wire) and ground (black wire or PSU case). The PSU should come on. If it doesn't, again, open it and post pictures here. If it does power on, the problem may be with your motherboard.

[PCBONEZ]

Re: FSP300-60BTV Diagnostics

From what I can tell you have an Intel D845EBT motherboard.
The case also looks nice and 'airy' so heat shouldn't be a problem.

There's a chance you got some of the defective HM and/or HN Series Nichicons in an Intel board that age.
Some Intel boards used 85C [temp] rated caps for the very small ones. Those will start failing after a few years.
- Both of those you can check for visually.
Intel boards that age don't really have any other cap problems except in toaster-box cases [heat].

Intel D845EBT TPS [and the update]



I don't see a reason to update the system if your happy with it.
If I ID'ed the mobo correctly it's not a junk system like a lot of them are.
.