Will low wattage powersupply cause device to fail?

[Josh Collins]

I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no manuals.
Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have two) and a CD
Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer and scanner connected
as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time. Still I am wondering
if too many devices--especially two hard drives--connected to a low-powered
power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am particularly
concerned about the two hard drives.

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

"Josh Collins" > wrote in message
...
> I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
> assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no
manuals.
> Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have two) and a CD
> Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer and scanner
connected
> as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time. Still I am
wondering
> if too many devices--especially two hard drives--connected to a
low-powered
> power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am particularly
> concerned about the two hard drives.

Josh,

Yes,
If your 2 drives plus CD are drawing too much such as during the start of a
big copy from CD or hard disk to hard disk, you may experience unpredictable
system performance or failures.

Just what output is your power supply?
--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

"Josh Collins" > wrote in message
...
> I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
> assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no
manuals.
> Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have two) and a CD
> Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer and scanner
connected
> as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time. Still I am
wondering
> if too many devices--especially two hard drives--connected to a
low-powered
> power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am particularly
> concerned about the two hard drives.
>
>

[M. Rajesh]

Hi,

Yes using a low powered powersupply can corrupt your
system. go for a Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) which
maintains normal voltage supply for the system and you
wont have to worry about the hard disks in future.

regards
M. Rajesh
www.winxpsolution.com

>-----Original Message-----
>I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I
had my computer
>assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and
there are no manuals.
>Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I
have two) and a CD
>Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer
and scanner connected
>as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time.
Still I am wondering
>if too many devices--especially two hard drives--
connected to a low-powered
>power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am
particularly
>concerned about the two hard drives.
>
>
>.
>

[HillBillyBuddhist]

"Josh Collins" > wrote in message
...
| I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
| assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no
manuals.
| Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have two) and a CD
| Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer and scanner
connected
| as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time. Still I am
wondering
| if too many devices--especially two hard drives--connected to a
low-powered
| power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am particularly
| concerned about the two hard drives.
|
|

FWIW M. Rajeshs' reply makes no sense at all. The capacity of your power
supply is unaffected by the source of the power. I.e... if you have a 250
watt power supply it is still capable of sustaining a 250 watt draw whether
the power is coming from the wall (mains) or from an uninterruptible power
supply.

That said you can find a chart of the typical power draw for different
computer periphery here. http://www.aapspower.com/abpowsup.html add up what
you have in your system, add a little for tolerance and if you find your
total component draw is approaching the capacity of your current power
supply get a higher capacity PSU.

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)

Remove shoes to E-mail.

[johnf]

Rubbish.
How on earth is a UPS going to help an under-rated power-supply?
It's only purpose is to smooth out mains fluctuations/spikes & maintain
power for a limited period during outages.

The simplest solution is to read the rating label of the installed PS, go to
a knowledgeable & helpful PC constructor, tell him what the system &
peripherals are and heed his advice.

--
Johnf

> Hi,
>
> Yes using a low powered powersupply can corrupt your
> system. go for a Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) which
> maintains normal voltage supply for the system and you
> wont have to worry about the hard disks in future.
>
> regards
> M. Rajesh
> www.winxpsolution.com
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
>> assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no
>> manuals. Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have
>> two) and a CD Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer
>> and scanner connected as well, but I don't use all of them at the same
>> time. Still I am wondering if too many devices--especially two hard
>> drives-- connected to a low-powered power supply will cause one of the
>> devices to fail. I am particularly concerned about the two hard drives.
>>
>>
>> .

[Perdita X. Nitt]

HillBillyBuddhist wrote:
> "Josh Collins" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I had my computer
>> assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and there are no
>> manuals. Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I have
>> two) and a CD Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer
>> and scanner connected as well, but I don't use all of them at the
>> same time. Still I am wondering if too many devices--especially two
>> hard drives--connected to a low-powered power supply will cause one
>> of the devices to fail. I am particularly concerned about the two
>> hard drives.
>>
>>
>
> FWIW M. Rajeshs' reply makes no sense at all. The capacity of your
> power supply is unaffected by the source of the power. I.e... if you
> have a 250 watt power supply it is still capable of sustaining a 250
> watt draw whether the power is coming from the wall (mains) or from
> an uninterruptible power supply.
>
> That said you can find a chart of the typical power draw for different
> computer periphery here. http://www.aapspower.com/abpowsup.html add
> up what you have in your system, add a little for tolerance and if
> you find your total component draw is approaching the capacity of
> your current power supply get a higher capacity PSU.

Well said! Added to that, a dime-a-dozen PSU is usually only capable of half
its stated output (e.g. a 400W is really only stable up to 200W). The power
supply is the one thing you DON'T skimp on when you're building a system. A
cheap PSU can damage half the components in the system when it fails (as I
know to my cost). A proper branded PSU (Antec or Enermax for example) will
fail 'gracefully', and the rest of the system will remain unhurt. A £10 PSU
could end up costing you £200 in replacement parts - it's a classic example
of false economy.

--
Perdita X. Dream

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[Unknown]

What hogwash. Would you care to explain that. If the OP could tell us the
wattage rating of the power supply perhaps we can make a judgement call.
"M. Rajesh" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> Yes using a low powered powersupply can corrupt your
> system. go for a Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) which
> maintains normal voltage supply for the system and you
> wont have to worry about the hard disks in future.
>
> regards
> M. Rajesh
> www.winxpsolution.com
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >I bought the cheapest powersupply I could find when I
> had my computer
> >assembled but I know nothing about the powersupply and
> there are no manuals.
> >Since then, I have added another hard drive (so now I
> have two) and a CD
> >Writer. The processor is a PIV 2.GHz. I have a printer
> and scanner connected
> >as well, but I don't use all of them at the same time.
> Still I am wondering
> >if too many devices--especially two hard drives--
> connected to a low-powered
> >power supply will cause one of the devices to fail. I am
> particularly
> >concerned about the two hard drives.
> >
> >
> >.
> >