To start PSU without motherboard

[Ananias]

I think my motherboard is in problem(not working properly). I want to ask can I start PSU(power supply unit) without motherboard ? Will it cause any kind of a trouble to my other peripherals espacially graphic card.....?
How can I do this ? Any ideas....... please help

[Sebastian.j]

To start a computer PSU (power supply unit) without need for a motherboard.
You will be able to power any component with no need to fiddle with switches and jumpers. and if you want to "leak test" a water cooling kit with out getting an expensive MOBO wet then this is really good. It couldn't be more simple.

For this,you will need -

• a PSU - if you figured this one out, you have the brain cells to complete this instructable
• Wire Strippers / side cutters or cigarette lighter, anything you can use to remove some of the plastic off
• some cheap electrial wire (can be ripped from Ethernet cable)
• optionally you may want a soldering iron and some solder.

[Sebastian.j]

follow the steps below -

Step 1 - This is very simple. Basically strip the plastic coating of both ends of the wire to expose the bare metal core.

Step 2 - This is the main step.
First of all you CAN PLUG IN AND TURN ON THE PSU you won't get electrocuted because the unit is grounded. you aren't the quickest way to earth in doing this.
Turn the PSU off on the back of it, purely because some PSUs wont turn on if you do the next bit first then this! and you'll have to do it in the right oder.
You'll find there will be a green wire there should only be one, however i have seen two before you want the lighter green one.
You'll see that this connects into the plastic part of the "plug." in the plastic plug at the top there is a bit of metal it will be hollow, stick one of the bare ends of wire into that.
Next stick the other end into any of the black wires, there are a few so take your pick.
Find the rocker switch at the back of the PSU (not all PSUs have this so you may need to turn it off from the mains in the first place) turn it on. the fan will start the PSU will supply Power to all the components connected.

Step 3 -
It is important that if you want to connect any components after you've tested your jump started PSU that you switch it off via the mains first then add what ever component you want to then turn it on.
If you turn the PSU ON, then connect the molex adapter to the advice, you will create a nice blue spark and cry when you realise that the component is now dead.

same goes when you are building a PC.

[Russell]

Some atx have protection so they need to be plugged
in to the motherboard to power ON. But you can ground
it out with a jumper wire, Google it up, you connect 2 pins
together and it will start up.

You can also buy a power supply tester just for testing
from different sources.