From: doug.mccomber@fakepart.gmail.com   
      
   Doug_M wrote:   
   > Hi, I have a 4D with an Astec power supply.  The power supply "sizzles"   
   > first for about 30 seconds before the system comes on.  Once it is   
   > warmed up it turns on immediately.  The person I bought it from sent me   
   > a replacement Astec power supply.  That was some time ago.   
   >   
   > I only just got around to swapping out the old supply for the new.  When   
   > I turned the system on there was nothing, no sound, smoke, smell, spark,   
   > etc. and neither the monitor or drives come on. Completely dead.   
   >   
   > I thought maybe the new Astec supply was dead, so I put the old one back   
   > in.  Same thing.   
   >   
   > I've got a multi-meter but I really don't know what I'm doing with it   
   > (just bought it, don't know much about electronics).  I check the on/off   
   > switch, and it works. I check the wires from the switch to the power   
   > supply and they're live.  I checked the posts on the power supply and   
   > they are live too.  So are then leads to the mobo and CRT.   
   >   
   > I'm stumped.  Any hardware gurus out there that can point me in the   
   > right direction?   
   >   
   > Thanks,   
   > Doug   
   >   
   > PS  Both the CRT and PS fuses are good too.   
      
   Okay, I don't know why, but the old power supply is working again.   
   Maybe despite my wire wiggling and connector checking something was not   
   connected properly.   
      
   I tried the "new" power supply one last time and no luck, everything   
   stayed dead.  So I put the "sizzler" back on and it worked.   
      
   Speaking of sizzling, I have located the part that does it.  On the   
   power supply (forgive my electronics illiteracy) is a heat sink looking   
   component.  It looks like an upside-down silver cup in a black   
   multi-finned open cage.  Anyway, it is definitely the piece that sizzles.   
      
   When I turn the unit on from a cold state, nothing happens for about 30   
   seconds, then the sizzling starts. It will sizzle for 10-20 more seconds   
   and then it stops and the system boots properly.  Once warm, I can turn   
   the system on and off and it behaves normally.   
      
   With luck, the heat sink on the non-working power supply is good and I   
   can then swap it.  Can the heat sink be tested with a multi-meter?  If   
   so, how would I do that?  Also, does anyone know off-hand any good sites   
   on soldering?  I could use some pointers.   
      
   Thanks,   
   Doug   
      
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