When your power supply dies, it can mean two things – either a fuse has been blown, or it has a loose wire. Power supply fuses are among the few components that can be serviced. Most fuses are soldered directly to the circuit board. Replacing a fuse would require you to remove the circuit board, unsoldering the old fuse, and soldering a new fuse in its place.
1. Unplug the Power Supply. Switch off the socket that is connected to the power supply. Unplug the line voltage power cord from the socket.
2. Open and Unplug the CPU: Use a torx screwdriver to remove the torx screws of the CPU. Remove the CPU casing. Unplug the low voltage cables that are connected to the drives and motherboard. Remove any CPU cards that may obstruct your view of the power supply.
3. Unscrew the Power Supply. Generally, the power supply is held in place by 4 torx screws. Unscrew them using the torx screwdriver and remove the power supply from the CPU.
4. Check the Warranty. The warranty is a stamped sticker that is on one of the edges of the power supply. It consists of the warranty date, a bar code and a ‘pass’ stamp. If the warranty has expired, cut across the sticker safety seal and open the power supply case.
5. Examine the Fuse. The fuse is usually located on one corner of the power supply. Use an ohm meter to check the fuse. If the ohm meter is showing readings below 0.1 ohms, or if there is resistance on the meter, then you will know that the fuse has blown.
6. Charge the Soldering Iron. Plug in the soldering iron and heat it to about 700 degrees. Touch the tip of the soldering iron to the tin wires on either side of the fuse. As the solder softens, gently push the fuse away from the circuit board. Once the soldering is complete, you can remove the fuse.
7. Solder New Pins to the New Fuse. Buff each end of the fuse with emery paper to dull the plating. Take the six inch long stripped 24 gauge wire with flux and tin it with resin solder. Tin the ends of the fuse, after which you can solder the wires to the ends.
8. Trim the Wires and Circuit Board Pins. Use the wire cutter to remove any excess pins from the board. Also, cut the gauge wire with only an inch of space from the fuse joint.
9. Solder the New Fuse. Place the new fuse onto the circuit board and solder it into place with the soldering iron. Once this has been completed, use the ohmmeter to test the fuse.
10. Reinstall the CPU. Once the fuse is showing good readings on the ohmmeter, close the power supply case. Keep it back into the CPU and screw it in. Replace the CPU casing and plug it in for use.

Teach you how to replace your computer’s internal power supply component.

Step 1.Find the power supply.

This supplies power to the other components, which is why it has so many wires coming out of it. It is usually positioned at the back top corner of the computer case. The power supply has a fan built into it to keep itself and the computer cool.

Step 2.Get into the tower.

To get into the tower, you will have to remove the panel which is on the right hand side when viewing the tower from the back. Open this side of computer case by removing the screws at the back of the tower which are holding it in place. Then simply slide the panel off.

Step 3.Disconnect the power cables.

Cable from the power supply should be connected to each component requiring power. These cables are easy to disconnect simply pull out the plugs from sockets on the back of the components. The plug and socket on the motherboard are a different shape from the normal type, but it should come out just as easily. It may be a good idea to write down how many sockets were disconnected so you can make sure they are all reconnected later with the new unit.

Step 4.Remove the power supply.

Remove the screws at the back of the power supply unit while supporting it with one hand. Once the screws are undone it should be easy to slip the old unit out of the tower.

Step 5.Power cable connection.

Screw in new drive then connect the power cables to every component that was originally connected. Remember if any components are left unconnected they will not work.

Step 6.Get it going again.

Switch the computer on, if all the components have been connected you should be ready to go.

Q&A

My PSU is on the top front of my case. Can you help me to remove it? It comes with a case so it’s generic?

Check for screws on the outside of the case, and inside of it. See where the PSU is being held into the case. I cannot help that much as I do not know what case you have.