Another dead eMachines Bestec

Matth · Jun 25, 2008, 10:31 PM

To go back to the start of the story, my friend's eMachins system packed up, with the power supply (a large-fan Bestec) making rapid start cycles when the power button was pressed.

The PSU fan had failed, the PSU had cooked, and (as it turns out, unusually) not taken out the motherboard when it failed.

Some time later, someone else is having non-start problems with their eMachines system, though when I arrive, it's started. I feel around the back, and I can't feel any PSU fan outflow.

Sure enough, it's a Bestec ATX-300-12E Rev A2, and the fan, once again, is stuck solid, and while the system seems to be working, I issue dire warnings that the power supply is in no fit state to be left, since he doesn't want to lose the machine for any length of time it's off to rip-off retail, and I settle on a Trust 370W from Maplin £25 - retail box (alternative, Jeantech 355W from PC World, £30 - plain box, bit short of info and they don't like you opening) - Alright, maybe going to something a little stronger as a replacement may have been a better idea, but it's an unupgraded machine with onboard graphics, and no likelihood of being upgraded. I know, a LOT cheaper online!

The Bestec 300W has some supposedly impressive ratings, dual 12V (15A and 10A, max load 22) and 25A on each of the other major lines (max 180W combined), max 288W combined for all major outputs.

The replacement (Trust PW-5150) has a single 12V 15A, 14A @ 3.3 & 30A (max 180W), and a 370W total maximum which is only a little less than the total of major and minor outputs.

Is EVERY eMachines doomed to suffer PSU failure (Bestec), I know I have a real downer on Q-TEC (gold) after getting a bad 450W (-V rails so far out of spec that they tripped voltage alarm), from computer fair trader, and while they were sceprtical at first, since it ran OK on theirs, no problem getting a refund, and next time I was there, they'd stopped doing that one - lots of problems.

I know, it's easy to say, spend £60 plus on a PSU and you should get a good one, but the key is finding an adequate model for undemanding systems, a 300W that's simply up to the job.

PS. Until seeing that ghastly Bestec, I'd always reckoned that large fan tended to be better, but I guess the real no hopers started making them in that style as well as the basic punched grill 80mm that I generally have the least regard for.

Jun 25, 2008, 10:31 PM	#1
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Another dead eMachines Bestec To go back to the start of the story, my friend's eMachins system packed up, with the power supply (a large-fan Bestec) making rapid start cycles when the power button was pressed. The PSU fan had failed, the PSU had cooked, and (as it turns out, unusually) not taken out the motherboard when it failed. Some time later, someone else is having non-start problems with their eMachines system, though when I arrive, it's started. I feel around the back, and I can't feel any PSU fan outflow. Sure enough, it's a Bestec ATX-300-12E Rev A2, and the fan, once again, is stuck solid, and while the system seems to be working, I issue dire warnings that the power supply is in no fit state to be left, since he doesn't want to lose the machine for any length of time it's off to rip-off retail, and I settle on a Trust 370W from Maplin £25 - retail box (alternative, Jeantech 355W from PC World, £30 - plain box, bit short of info and they don't like you opening) - Alright, maybe going to something a little stronger as a replacement may have been a better idea, but it's an unupgraded machine with onboard graphics, and no likelihood of being upgraded. I know, a LOT cheaper online! The Bestec 300W has some supposedly impressive ratings, dual 12V (15A and 10A, max load 22) and 25A on each of the other major lines (max 180W combined), max 288W combined for all major outputs. The replacement (Trust PW-5150) has a single 12V 15A, 14A @ 3.3 & 30A (max 180W), and a 370W total maximum which is only a little less than the total of major and minor outputs. Is EVERY eMachines doomed to suffer PSU failure (Bestec), I know I have a real downer on Q-TEC (gold) after getting a bad 450W (-V rails so far out of spec that they tripped voltage alarm), from computer fair trader, and while they were sceprtical at first, since it ran OK on theirs, no problem getting a refund, and next time I was there, they'd stopped doing that one - lots of problems. I know, it's easy to say, spend £60 plus on a PSU and you should get a good one, but the key is finding an adequate model for undemanding systems, a 300W that's simply up to the job. PS. Until seeing that ghastly Bestec, I'd always reckoned that large fan tended to be better, but I guess the real no hopers started making them in that style as well as the basic punched grill 80mm that I generally have the least regard for. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread