Many computer enthusiasts have a question: “How to turn on the power supply without a computer?” This need is due to various reasons, most often we are talking about checking the performance of cathode lamps or new coolers.

Why such difficulties?

It is simply necessary to turn on the power supply without a computer in case of repair, because if you constantly turn off and on the computer, this will negatively affect the PC components, due to premature battery failure. In addition, any experiments with a computer can lead to unstable operation of the operating system.

First start

As computer wisdom says, if you could find a PC power supply, how to turn it on is even easier to understand. All modern computer units comply with ATX (special international standard). Thus, the 20-pin connector has a contact that is responsible for the active state of any such unit. We are talking about the fourth contact from the left (you need to count from the fastening latch). Most often, the contact we need is green. This wire must be tried to close with the ground (i.e., any black one). It is most convenient to use the adjacent, 3rd contact. If everything is done correctly, the power supply will instantly come to life and the cooler will make noise.

How to turn on the power supply without a computer: details

ATX standard devices can output the following voltages: 3.3, 12 and 5 V. In addition, they have good power (from 250 to 350 W). But here's the question: "How to turn on the computer power supply?" Above, we have already, so to speak, outlined the procedure in a nutshell, and now we will try to figure it out in more detail.

It was easier in the past

It is curious that the old blocks, which belong to the AT standard, could be launched directly. With the ATX standard, things are much more complicated. However, the solution to a huge problem comes down to a little wiring that needs to be connected in a certain way. We have already described how to turn on the power supply without a computer, but we ask you to disconnect all the wires going to the motherboard, hard drives, drives and other accessories. Better yet, remove the element we need from the system unit and work away from it.

Another important point not to be overlooked: do not force the power supply to idle. This way you can shorten his life. You need to put on a load. For this purpose, you can connect an old hard drive or fan. As already noted, to run you need black and green contacts. However, remember that some manufacturers, for unknown reasons, refuse to follow the established color coding. In this case, it is advisable to first carefully study the pinout. If your knowledge allows, you can make a special button to turn on the power supply.

Strange computer power problems: PC stopped turning on

First, let's check the presence of a primary power supply ~ 220V at the PSU input. Among the reasons for the absence can be called a malfunction network filter, sockets, plugs, cable breakage. Also, the problem may lie at the source. On the back of many units there is a power switch - it can also be faulty or turned off.

In the case of primary power supply, even if the computer is turned off, there is a voltage of + 5V at the PSU output (if everything is in order). This can be checked by testing the pins of the PSU connector with a tester. We are interested in pin 9, which has a purple wire (+ 5VSB).

Often the motherboard has an LED to indicate standby voltage. If it is active, both standby and primary power are present.

If the computer still does not turn on, we are looking for other sources of the problem. The most common reasons are discussed below.

1. Open circuit in the power button. To check this, close the contacts responsible for turning on the power on your motherboard with tweezers, or run the PSU outside the system unit (we described in detail above how to turn on the power supply without a computer).

2. A short circuit that occurs at the output of the PSU. Try turning off the power to all devices, and remove all adapters from the slots for a while. In addition, all USB devices should be disabled. You can also deactivate the 4-8-pin power connector for the Power Connector + 12V processor.

3. Fault motherboard or BP. If only the motherboard is connected to the power supply, but it does not turn on, it is probably the unit itself that is faulty. As for the malfunction of the "motherboard", which leads to the impossibility of turning on the power supply of the computer, we note that theoretically this is possible, but in practice it is extremely rare. To check this, turn it on without connecting the connector to your motherboard. If the PSU turns on, it is the motherboard that is faulty.

Probably many active users modern and not so modern computers at least once during the period of use carried out an upgrade of their high-tech friend, that is, the replacement of individual components with more modern and powerful solutions. Very often, PC parts that have been replaced lie idle in pantries and garages. At the same time, many of them can still serve their owner as, albeit not quite standard, but at the same time quite functional assistants in various matters.

Below we will talk about the computer power supply. This important component of any system unit can be used not only for power supply computer systems, and for other purposes. You only need to figure out how to run the power supply without a motherboard.

BP application

In fact, the power supplies used in computers are quite universal solutions, which are essentially voltage converters. Turning on the PSU without a motherboard makes it possible to obtain various voltages at its outputs electric current, applicable to provide power to a wide variety of devices and devices. The PC component under consideration is a fairly reliable and powerful switching power supply that provides stabilized voltages at its output, and, importantly, is equipped with short circuit protection. Before proceeding to the instructions on how to start the power supply without a motherboard, let's look at concrete examples why this procedure is needed.

LEDs

Today, LED strips are widely used as a source of light or decorative lighting, including in ordinary apartments. One of the voltages at the output of a computer PSU is 12V. This is exactly the indicator you need. led strip. You only need to do a few manipulations with the PSU, connect a tape to it, and economical lighting is ready!

Low power appliances

You can apply the knowledge of how to start a power supply without a motherboard in providing power to various motors, fans, light bulbs, etc. After starting the PSU, we get three different voltages - 12V, 5V and 3.3V. This list is usually enough to feed the above. More powerful devices can also be powered, for example, car stereo or a sound amplifier for passive acoustic systems. The main thing is not to exceed the permissible load.

Instruction

So, how can you run a power supply without a motherboard. In fact, everything is very simple. In order for the power supply to automatically start when voltage is applied, it is necessary to close contacts No. 14 (POWER ON) and GND located on the block that is connected to the PC motherboard, and then apply voltage to the power supply itself. In most cases, the contacts needed for closing are the ends of the green and black wires. To close, use any metal object at hand - a piece of wire, a paper clip, etc.

Warning

Before starting the power supply without a motherboard, the user must make sure that there is a load on it. That is, a device must be connected to the PSU (red and black wires). Turning on the unit "idle" is highly undesirable and can lead to the failure of the power supply unit. The load can be a regular light bulb with a power of about 10 W, a resistor, a regular PC case fan, etc.

In such a simple way, you can breathe life into a seemingly unnecessary and inapplicable device. The launch method itself, as we see, is not at all complicated, the main thing is to set the ultimate goal for yourself, to do everything carefully and carefully.

Computer power supplies are powered by being connected to the motherboard. However, in some situations this is not possible. Sometimes users need to check the performance of an old or new PSU without using a computer, connect a second unit to a PC, or diagnose a problem. In today's article, you will learn how to turn on the power supply without a computer using a pin jumper.

To fully understand the issue, do not skip this video. It describes and shows all the actions from the instructions.

The repair and management of computer components must be approached as responsibly as possible. If you do not have experience in such procedures, then follow all the steps from our guide in strict sequence:

  1. If the power supply is installed in the computer, then it must be disconnected and removed. To do this, completely disconnect the system unit from the network, disconnect the 20-pin or 24-pin cable from the motherboard, as well as all additional equipment ( hard drives, video cards, coolers and so on).
  2. Prepare to connect equipment that will load the power supply. This role can be played by a hard drive, a DVD drive, a cooler, or even an ordinary light bulb. The main thing is that the device is in good working order.
  3. You will also need a short wire to jumper the contacts. As a blank, a piece of cable with bare ends or a regular paper clip bent in the desired shape is suitable.

In modern personal computers ATX blocks are used. They are connected to the motherboard using a 20- or 24-pin plug, depending on the specific model and manufacturer. The essence of the jumper of two contacts is to simulate the signal from the motherboard. As a result, the power supply will start without third-party equipment. The pin layouts and colors are shown below. To make it easier for the user to navigate, the figure shows the latch of the plug.

Now let's move on to the most important thing - the procedure for turning on the power supply. But before that, you need to understand in detail the device of the power plug and contacts. To close, connect the PS_ON contact, which is highlighted with a green cable, with a prepared wire to any black COM contact. It is more convenient to bridge PS_ON with an adjacent contact.

If the colors are mixed up on your power supply, then do not risk it and be guided by the location of the necessary wires. If the latch of the plug is considered the upper part, then PS_ON is located in top row fourth from the left. The fifth is the black COM, which is connected by wiring.

If you want to run an old AT standard power supply, then this circuit will not work. You need to use two jumpers at the same time. One connects the blue and one of the black pins, and the second is used to bridge the white and brown wires.

Before turning on the power supply, you must protect yourself from possible damage. The fact is that most modern PSUs refuse to start "idle". A minimum load is required to turn on, so you must connect a cooler, HDD or disk drive. Connect the device via Molex.

Now everything is ready to start and check the performance of the power supply. It is necessary to connect the equipment to a power source using a conventional network cable, which is used in the operation of the system unit.

Start the power supply with the toggle switch on the back of the PSU. If you connected the cooler, then it should work with fully functional equipment. If the power supply starts up without additional load, this will reduce the life of the device.

Conclusion

So, now you know how the power supply is turned on without a computer using jumpers. There is nothing complicated in this procedure, so in an emergency you can carry out a simple diagnosis of the equipment. If you do not understand any points and steps from the instructions, then write questions in the comments. We quickly find solutions to problems and answer each visitor!

It happens that it becomes necessary to turn on the PSU (power supply) of the computer without the participation of the computer itself, more precisely, without connecting to the motherboard.

Basically, such a need arises when, for example, it is necessary to check the health of the power supply or in order to power some device with a voltage of 5 V or 12 V.

So I somehow had to use the ATX PSU as a power supply for my D-Link modem.

You can also use the ATX unit as a power supply for an old radio and for many other things.

Turning on the power supply without load

I will describe two options.

First way

In order to start the ATX unit, you just need to close the green and any black wires on the power supply connector (PS-ON and GND pins, respectively, see the figure below).

Here's what it looks like in real life:

It also happens that on some power supplies these wires may turn out to be of different colors (you know, the Chinese), then I recommend taking a closer look at which wire you have is the PS-ON output.

Second way

If there was no piece of wiring at hand, then the same steps can be done using the usual paper clip. We close all the same colors of wires.

Read also:

Why can't a computer power supply be turned on without load?

Now a few precautions.

If you do not do this, the voltage conversion circuit may fail and require an expensive block repair ATX power supply , and maybe its complete replacement due to the economic irrationality of the repair.

By the way, it happens that some power supplies simply may not start without load.

Hi all. I hope that all of you are well aware of the fact that in system unit computer hides such an interesting and useful thing as a power supply. And for us - craftsmen, power supplies are of particular value. Surely many of them are lying around idle. It happens - bought new computer, and spare parts from the old are gathering dust in the closet. Let's try to find a use for them.

The ATX standard power supply provides the following voltages: 5 V, 12 V and 3.3 V. In addition, they have good power (250, 300, 350 W, and so on). But here's the problem. How to run it without a motherboard? This is what we will consider in today's material.

Old power supplies, standard AT run directly. The ATX standard power supply cannot be started in this way. But it's still not a problem. To turn on the power supply, it is enough for us to have only one small wire, with which we will close 2 contacts on the plug.

But first I want to warn you - disconnect all wires from the motherboard, screws and drives, in case you are smart enough to run the power supply directly in the system unit.

So let's get started. To begin with, we remove our block from the system unit.

One more warning. No need to idle your block. Thus, you shorten his life. It is necessary to give a load. For this purpose, you can connect a fan or an old hard drive to the power supply.

In fact, to start the power supply, it is necessary to close the PS_ON contact to zero. In most cases, these are green and black contacts on the plug, but sometimes among the cunning Chinese there are color blind people who get confused in color coding. Therefore, I recommend that you first study the pinout. It is shown in the following image. On the left is a new 24-pin plug, and on the right is an older 20-pin plug.

In my case, the older standard (20 pins) will be shown. Color coding I have not broken.

To start, I made this jumper.

This is how we close our contacts.

If you plan to use the power supply all the time, then for convenience you can make just such a button.