Power supply replacement

8 years ago

We have a Compaq DX4200E9 and I believe it may have a failing power supply. When powered up the machine doesn't even try to boot, and when the unit failed it did it over a period of two or three days, booting sometimes and not others. I turned it on with the cover off and the fans wouldn't even keep turning.

The power supply that is there is Model #FSP300-60TGA(1) and is made by FSP Group Inc. for Acer. (I assume that the computer is one that Compaq got when it took over Acer.)

I've been told by a computer technician that as long as the cables match any 300 W power supply will suffice. But I gather that a slightly larger power supply, say, 350 W, could be useful, although we really only need a decent e-machine, no gaming or such.One power supply sold by Amazon as a replacement for mine is 500 W! Couldn't I hurt something with that? Or is excess capacity simply unused?

This is the unit I think I should buy:

http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/300-watt-power-supply-FSP300-60THN.php

Anybody know anything about the company selling it?

Advice and experience much appreciated!

Thank you.

Featured Answer

zep516

8 years ago

excess capacity would be unused. Do not know anything about the company.

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Comments (11)

User
8 years ago
It surely won't hurt to have a larger power supply. You do need to be careful, some manufacturers computers won't except a Standard Power Supply. I have a Dell sitting in my Repair Room that will only except a certain Power Supply. I have however worked on a number of manufactured computers and had no problem replacing with a standard power supply, just check your measurements against theirs. Also make sure that the picture of the back where you would screw it in matches the back on the psu you're looking at! Here is a Link for a 430w PSU that's $10 cheaper after a Rebate. Corsair CX430m 430w BTW, it's offered by a company most of us are familiar with!
marknmt thanked User
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marknmt
Original Author
8 years ago
I'm grateful for the clarifications.

A friend with some experience has a probably suitable power supply in his junk drawer and is happy for me to take it and try it out. If it solves my problem the diagnostics part is over, and if it doesn't no harm done.

You guys have made it easier for me to gain traction on this and get some confidence. Thanks again.
User
8 years ago
Good luck marknmt. Hope everything goes as expected. Usually not very hard to swap out a Power Supply, just take your time. Make sure you've got everything plugged in before you try to start the computer again! Again, Good Luck!
marknmt thanked User
jemdandy
8 years ago
About those fans that won't turn. These may have contributed to the demise of the power supply. It does need adequate cooling. These fans operate independently of the rest of the system. Fans slowing, maybe growing, or quitting after a couple of years is a common problem with those small pancake fans. The usual culprit is dry bearings, or bearings that have collected dirt.
marknmt thanked jemdandy
marknmt
Original Author
8 years ago
" ... bearings that have collected dirt."

Afraid I'm guilty.
copanolady
8 years ago
Ditto~ how about using a vacuum cleaner tool on the fan area and keyboard. Is that OK to do? I'm afraid my fan is not working properly either.
kudzu9
8 years ago
Using compressed air in a can is often better than vacuuming...
marknmt thanked kudzu9
marknmt
Original Author
8 years ago
I tried my swap but one of the connectors was wrong- I needed two square, four-wire plugs (I don't know what for!) and only had one, so it's back to the well.

Otherwise I think it would have worked.

Thanks again for all the help.
copanolady
8 years ago
Compressed air directly on the fan? Seem like that would drive the dirt (cat hair) into the computer and cause more problems.....no? That's why I thought a vacuum to pull out the dirt would work better. Tell me if I'm wrong.
kudzu9
8 years ago
copanolady-

This is a desktop computer and the case is going to be removed if a power supply is going to be replaced. I would use compressed air to blow out everything rather than run a nozzle around the interior and possibly suck in a cable or something. If you are trying to vacuum the computer through the vents without removing the case, you won't do a very good job.

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