Power supply (was: I have read some on Proxy Servers, but I am still confused.)

[Ignazio Palmisano]

Steven Vollom wrote:

> Dear Eberhard,
> 
> Do you think a 400 W power supply would be powerful enough to boot a 
> quad core to BIOS, if I didn't have any additional video card energy 
> draw.  I would like to see if possibly my problem with the new computer 
> is a power supply failure.  ASUS is pretty sure that the problem falls 
> with them or the power supply.  They are willing to return for credit, 
> refund or replacement, but I would hate to return it and find it OK and 
> the power supply the problem.  I just don't have access to an 800W or 
> larger PS.  Do I need the DVD and HDD installed to boot to BIOS?  Mine 
> are SATA, and the 400W PS doesn't have SATA connections.  It probably 
> doesn't have the processor power supply plug either.  Thanks for the 
> info on the router.  I think that will be my protection.  I remember I 
> had a concern about when I am sharing data with the torrent system, do I 
> open vulnerability and/or am I able to send out data when I have the 
> firewall?
> 
> Steven
> 

400 may be a little small for all parts to work, but it should be enough 
for the BIOS to start. You don't need hard disks and dvds (or anything 
except the video card and the keyboard :) ). I'd be more worried about 
the power supply outputting the wrong tensions (i.e. too low on some or 
all the cables) than about its power.
HTH,
I.