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14th October 2008, 04:35 PM
|  | Community Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 4,345 posts. Location: Oxford, UK Reputation:  | | | -5V rail really low
I've just had a look in SpeedFan to see if it has the temp and fan controls for my graphics card (it doesn't  ) but noticed that my -5V rail is at -8V. Is that OK or is it too low?
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Numberwang!
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14th October 2008, 05:47 PM
|  | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
That is not OK Dave - accept a 10% variance as maximum. What do the rest of the values look like?
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14th October 2008, 08:49 PM
| | Community Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 4,345 posts. Location: Oxford, UK Reputation: | |
Everything else is bang on, I'll get a screenshot. 
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Numberwang!
A little air on the earth.
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14th October 2008, 08:55 PM
|  | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
You have a new motherboard, speedfan and everest home are not updated often so you cannot rely on them to be correct. Have a look for software specifically for your mobo for a more accurate voltage reading. See if it is shown in your bios too. 
If not, i can instruct you on how to use a digital volt meter to test it if you have one.
[Edit] It is also showing your -12 volts incorrectly.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST".
Last edited by Rik; 14th October 2008 at 08:57 PM.
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14th October 2008, 09:20 PM
| | Community Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 4,345 posts. Location: Oxford, UK Reputation: | |
That's true mate, I'll check my BIOS when I turn it on tomorrow  I'm off in a minute so not much point restarting and then turning off if you see what I mean.
I have a digital multimeter, but it's in my toolbox at work  I think my dad has one in the garage, though.
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Numberwang!
A little air on the earth.
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14th October 2008, 10:01 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
Well if you want me to talk you through testing the voltages, let me know and i will do what i can.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
15th October 2008, 06:25 AM
| | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
Over to you Rik - you know more about this that I do.
Personally, unless this has a high 'want-to-find-out' factor I would bin the thing and fit another one.
Off spec voltages are potentially destructive whether they are high or low.
It would be interesting to see what the values are without the load, though!
__________________ Confuse and Prosper. |
15th October 2008, 09:42 AM
|  | TST Enthusiast | | Join Date: Jul 2008, 279 posts. Reputation: | | | |
15th October 2008, 10:14 AM
| | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
Really helpful article that one - recommended reading for anyone who mucks about with these things!
__________________ Confuse and Prosper. |
15th October 2008, 12:49 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
Some useful info there Klunk but for one thing, the guide covers testing the +12 volt and +5 volt rails only and Dave wants to test the -5 volt rail.
So here is my advice on testing the PSU. I recommend that you do an off load test and an on load test.
First, off load test, this means that the PSU will be powered up but not running the computer. You need to unplug everything, this mean the 24 way mobo connector and the 4 way mobo connector (if used) and all power molexes connected to all other devices.
Next, use a short bit of wire or something like a paperclip to short the GREEN wire to any BLACK wire at the 24 way connector, this will turn the PSU on. I have heard many people say that powering up a PSU is this way is harmful to the PSU, I say tish and nonsense to that for 2 reasons. 1 - it is exactly how the mobo will turn the psu on and 2 - I have an old PSU that I use to power my r/c battery charger, I power it up by that method and have used it on an off for over 4 years without a single problem. Next, set your DVM (Digital Volt Meter) to 20 volts, put the black probe into any BLACK wire, i recommend using a power molex for this. Then the red probe to the WHITE wire at the 24 way molex. If you put the DVM probe in the side that plugs to your mobo you risk spreading the terminal in the plug which could cause a bad connection so I recommend you push the probe in from the top side. It may take some force to get a connection, that's ok, but try to make it so it's just enough force only. To do an on load test, plug everything back up but don't allow the pc to boot. Going into your bios setup will do. Do the test as above. Let me know the result of both tests and also let me know if you wish to test anything else.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST".
Last edited by Rik; 15th October 2008 at 12:53 PM.
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15th October 2008, 02:42 PM
| | TST Enthusiast | | Join Date: Jul 2008, 279 posts. Reputation: | |
And Dave, there is only ONE white wire in the connector block and it is at pin18 of the 20pin block (or pin 20 of a 24pin block), so you have no worries wondering if you have got the correct white wire.  Prime95 is handy for putting your system under load for all manner of testing, you want to be sure your PSU can handle what your system asks of it.
download it here: http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm
Last edited by Klunk; 15th October 2008 at 02:56 PM.
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15th October 2008, 04:03 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
Nice one Klunk, mind if i pinch that pic for my pc wiring guide that im in the process of compiling?
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
15th October 2008, 05:08 PM
| | TST Enthusiast | | Join Date: Jul 2008, 279 posts. Reputation: | | |
Last edited by Klunk; 15th October 2008 at 05:17 PM.
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15th October 2008, 05:35 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
Thanx Klunk
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
15th October 2008, 05:37 PM
| | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
So where did you get to with your low voltages, Rik??
__________________ Confuse and Prosper. |
15th October 2008, 05:40 PM
| | TST Master | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 2,107 posts. Location: England Reputation: | |
Its Dave that has the possible problem, so waiting for him to post. Instructions are in post 10 Albert.
__________________ "If at first you do not succeed, sit down, have a coffee, have a smoke, and think for a bit. If that still doesn't work, post it on TST". |
15th October 2008, 05:41 PM
| | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
Ooops = sorry Rik - so obsessed with you wanting to play fire games with my motor!
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16th October 2008, 08:47 PM
| | Community Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 4,345 posts. Location: Oxford, UK Reputation: | |
Hello chaps, despite putting a post-it on my monitor with "voltages" written in big letters on it, I forgot to check the BIOS 
I'll stick it over the power button then that should remind me for tomorrow
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Numberwang!
A little air on the earth.
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17th October 2008, 07:02 AM
| | TST Oracle | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 8,001 posts. Location: Market Haemorrhoids, Middle England Reputation: | | |
Morning Dave - try waking up before you get out of bed!
__________________ Confuse and Prosper. |
17th October 2008, 09:48 PM
| | Community Moderator | | Join Date: Dec 2007, 4,345 posts. Location: Oxford, UK Reputation: | |
I had a look in the BIOS for PSU readings, but this is all there is, so I will have to give it a proper test when I have time, maybe tomorrow evening, maybe Sunday afternoon, but it will get done 
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Numberwang!
A little air on the earth.
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