Howdy all,
The simple question is how do I rig a secondary ATX PSU to just turn on when AC is supplied? If you want to know why I ask, read my specific reasoning below.
I am on the eve of my initial install and am getting all the peripherals installed while in the house to make sure it all works here before dealing with the handful of problems I am sure I will add once taking the PC out to the car.
The problem I am having is that I think I am on the very edge of my amp limits with all the devices connected. I have been working on the PC for a few days getting it all just how I want it and am now installing the drivers for RF keyboard, trackball, gamepad (all USB). As I add things eventually the RF keyboard will stop responding and XP tells me that a the device is no longer working. If I restart leaving it all plugged in some other USB device will stop responding, basically all the USB stuff is intermitent. If I shut down, unplug the DVD and secondary HD I can plug in all my USB devices without any issue and it will work for hours. So instead of putting slower CPU's in (that I have on hand) I want to just put a second smaller PSU in there to power all the drives. I can't simply put in a higher wattage PSU because my system is in a 3U server rack and the custom PSU that it takes would cost four times the deal in got on the rack in the first place. I have a 300W in there and just want to add a 90-200W for the drives and a couple peripherals.
If someone knows how to wire the secondary PSU that would be great. If you think my problem is from elsewhere, let me know that as well, but I am pretty sure I have it narrowed down as all my USB is coming from a USB 2.0 PCI card as well as the four USB 1.1 onboards. Thanks for any leads, I am going nuts that I am stuck here as I was hoping to install tonight.
instead of pulling out your hair and trying to figure out how to rig 2 PSU to work together, why not get a single 450watt PSU? USB is 5v 500ma max per port. If you have lots of USB devices, why not get a USB hub and get a regulated 5V power supply for all of your USB devices.
NEW complete and updated My project with 100+ pics on 7-4-03
If you have a Shuttle FV24 motherboard in perfect working condition for sale, please PM me.
Its mad easy, you only have to splice one, maybe two wires. Hold on and ill try to find the link for you.
[------X---] 70% done, though that number goes up and down all the time
cpraudio - I already explained why I can't get a bigger PSU in there. Heck I have a sweet 550W Entermax that I would love to use, but it just won't fit as 3U PSU's are a really custom shape. If I am that close on power that USB devices start to go out, I would feel better getting the extra 150W or so to make sure I'm not short.
Chronic13: thanks for any leads you rustle up.
Any regular paperclip will do the trick. All you have to do is to connect the green wire (there is only one) to any black (ground) wires. I've done this many times and it works great.
The only other soluction is to buy an older AT-style supply which has a hard power switch on it.
Thanks parawing, just tried it out on a little 90W mini-atx psu that was sitting in the closet, worked flawlessly, just need to solder it up and see if I can fit it somwhere inside the case. I gave all my AT PSU's away to the thrift store this spring.
I just found out that this trick only works if you are drawing power from the PSU. If not it will turn off after about 4 seconds. I am powering the CDRW and secondary HD off of it perfectly now.
Glad to hear it worked out moose
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