ATX power supply shutting down

[datam]

I've just tried to add a maxtor diamonmax 10 drive to my PC but when I turn it on. the power supply powers down.

If I take the new drive out, everything's fine. The PSU is 300w and I have 2 optical drive plus another HDD.

Is this likely to be a faulty HDD or the PSU is under rated ?

I can hear the new HDD spin up and the heads seek, but within a 4-5 seconds, it shuts down.

any advice, greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[pphalan]

you need a new power supply with a higher watt rating but you should list your motherboard and cpu to give an idea what load its under, how many fans also.

[datam]

pphalan,

here the listing;

Motherborad: gigabyte GA-VAX7
CPU: AMD XP 2000
No case fans
drives: 1 x deskstar 40gb hdd
1 x LG DVD writer
1 x HP CD writer

hope that helps.

If it is a power supply problem, is there any way I can verify that ?

Thanks

[vikeor]

well uve already verified it... when u take the new drive out all works fine. Try getting your hands on at least a 350 if not 400W PSU...

also if its a generic PSU that could be a problem too, try getting a known brand...

[muno]

You can verify a power problem by unplugging your desktar hdd, plugging your maxtor (plug it to the SAME power cord you used before that did not work) and see if it turns on.
If it doesn't it's probably a faulty wire or something. If it does, then perhaps your psu is underrated for.

I run nobrand 350w psu with 3hdd, few case fans and loads of pci cards just fine.

[datam]

Thanks for the advice, I'll get another power supply and let you know how I get on.

[JPMiller]

Refer to this thread for Power supply help and info...
http://www.techimo.com/forum/t124252.html
this will help you figure out what you need and troubleshoot your current PSU
the hard drive itself may be bad... have you checked it in another system?
what brand is the curent PSU?
run Eversthome to view the rail voltages...

[pphalan]

pphalan,

here the listing;

Motherborad: gigabyte GA-VAX7
CPU: AMD XP 2000
No case fans
drives: 1 x deskstar 40gb hdd
1 x LG DVD writer
1 x HP CD writer

hope that helps.

If it is a power supply problem, is there any way I can verify that ?

Thanks

try the new drive in another system or disconnect the dvd and try it

[Bovon]

Personally, I would definitely try that Maxtor in a different system or, remove enough from the current system to allow more power to be available to test the PSU.

I have used a 300 watt PSU and had more running on it than datam has and it worked great.

Either the PSU installed now is very over rated or on its last legs before crawling into its grave, if in fact the problem turns out to be the PSU.

Its just possible the Maxtor is defective and is putting a huge load on the current PSU.

[datam]

Thanks for all the replies.

The problem was indeed the PSU. I replaced mine with a new 500w one and it all works a treat

[baku]

custompc (UK) magazine did a huge review/test on PSU's a few issues back, its well worth the read...