Yep my main PC bit the dust this morning at exactly 6:50am. I wasn't on it I was actually trying to sleep a while longer while random videos played in the background but the sudden silence made me sit up and say WTF!

This laptop is a total pain in the ass and needed a bunch of attention after being left sit idle for so long.

But I know it is the power supply because it fucking smells like a bar-b-q.
Anyway I should have it back online tomorrow with a new power supply with over twice the capacity so that if I have to use it on a newer custom machine (cross fingers) later it will still perform.

Also I will feel comfortable with re-installing the 1tb drive I had on it with the last MB.

Bought a new PS today, Thermaltake Smart Series Bronze 80+ certified 650w.
Could have gotten a 700w for the same price but it wasn't in the Bronze category.

It was $65 after all taxes. Not bad. un-boxed it but haven't installed it yet.

Nice flat cables and this thing is fucking heavy. Supposed to be quiet, we'll see. Could have gotten it cheaper online but convenience has it's perks.

So, I'm assuming all is well ...
I think you've posted since this posting; no?

No but I ran into a problem. My Mb wants a 4 pin connector for +12 and ground, the new ps doesn't have a 4 pin connector. So looks like I'll have to make it so.

Other problem is the new PS has all black wires.

Hmm ...
I'd have to see it ...

This PS does have a 6 pin connector labeled CPU, I suspect I will find the wires I need in this branch. But how to identify without the PS being on and with no color coding.  That is the current question.

Shit what a dunce I am, the one labeled CPU was an 8 pin connector and after examining it with a magnifying glass I detected a seam and what do you know, the connector splits in half into two 4 pin connectors.

No where on the packaging or instructions does it mention this 4+4 situation

I was going to say something to that means; or ask if an adapter came with it ...

I got the PC booted but for some reason the sound doesn't work. It recognizes when the speaker line is plugged in and the PC says everything is working but yeah, no.

Sound works fine on the laptop so that's not the problem. Likely a corruption of windows during the power failure. 

Where can I get a nice (cheap) 200gb solid state drive to put a new OS on?

The best deals I've seen have been on eBay ...

I got a 200gb from Best Buy on sale for $37.99 ...
That was about 6 months ago ...

I'll check into it. That's where I got the new power supply.

And I have to report this made an amazing difference. No it doesn't run any faster but it really stays cool now. Even here in Ca. at the end of summer after running for days the case feels like cold metal and no hot air from any vent. Even the sides of the PS feel cold, have to say that is a vast improvement over how it's been for the last couple years.   

Oh I wanted to mention, the sound problem was never resolved through driver roll backs and re-installation of newer drivers. Solved the problem until I have to do a major upgrade -if I live that long-. I got a USB dongle for less than $5. I only use stereo anyway.

DriverMax ...
Or Snappy Driver (portable) ...

I have the free version of IO Bits "driver booster" but I'll give DriverMax a go over.

No, Snappy Drivers is MUCH better ...

Oh ok, you kind of listed it as a second choice but I'll check it out too.

Oh, sorry ...
No, it's the shit ...

I keep the portable and full versions of it on a thumb drive ...