On 20 Jan 2004 10:21:02 -0800, (jbr) wrote:

I'm looking for ideas on what might be burning out power supplies in a
computer.

I have a computer that is on its 3rd ATX power supply in a short
period of time. In determining if the power supplies were bad I am
using a tester. Each time the tester has shown the power supply to be
bad so I replaced it and the system would work again. The latest
power supply lasted only a few days before failing.

The system is plugged into a surge protector along with other
equipment. No problems with the other equipment so I have doubts a
power surge is the culprit.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Would the motherboard by chance have "Soft-On" capability?, This is a
feature that allows the computer to be turned on and of via the
keyboard. To do this the motherboard requires standby power from (I
think) a low current 12v always-on output. Most supplies can't
provide enough low current standby power without failing. I had the
same problem as you with one such system If this is the issue then
change the jumper on the board to disable this feature.

. Steve .
jbr