How to buy replacement power supply for ATC-280-UR11

Let me start off by saying that I'm a software person; hardware is not my strong point, although I am somewhat familiar with it and can do the basics. I have an Acer ATC-280-UR11 that started making a horrible noise - which I identified as the power supply- shortly after the warranty expired. In theory, that's not a problem, I do understand hardware enough to replace the power supply. However... GETTING a power supply for it has proven impossible. Perhaps my lack of hardware knowledge has caused me to overlook something obvious, and if that is the case, I would certainly appreciate the input of someone smarter than myself. Let me tell you what I've tried:

Ordered a replacement part from Amazon. Exact same model number as the original power supply (FSP300-60THA). This did not work. Sent it back, had it replaced, tried the new one. It didn't work. Came to the conclusion that I must not have ordered the right product, despite the fact that on paper everything about it is identical. I am certain that everything was connected correctly. When I removed it and connected the original power supply in the exact same configuration, it worked as expected. Went back and forth between the two many times with the same results, taking care each time to double check that all of the ribbon cables were seated securely.

Tried to find info about it on Acer's webpage. According to Acer, this model of computer doesn't exist. Tried both of Acers US parts partners (Capital Data and Kahlon), as recommended on their help page. According to both of these websites, this model of computer doesn't exist. In all cases, I have tried every search term I could think of. "ATC-280-UR11" "Acer Aspire A10" etc. None of these websites acknowledge it in any way. However, there is no shortage of information about this computer on the internet - Googling "ATC-280-UR11" brings back plenty of results that show the product in question. They just don't show the specific detailed information I'm looking for.

All I need to know is this - where can I get a replacement for the power supply that comes in the ATC-280-UR11 that will actually work? What am I missing here?

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billsey

I believe what is throwing you is the model number. Your model is an Aspire TC-280, not an Aspire ATC-280. Depending on where your computer was originally sold and which options were installed it could have had any of five different power supplies, but luckily you don't need to know any of that. You just need to know that it's an ATX form factor and any of 220W, 300W or 500W for the stock system. Your UR11 model came originally with a 300W and if you are planning on putting a graphics card in you should get a 500W instead. The 220W was only for some low end versions that were populated with less ram and a smaller drive.

Now, why didn't the supplies you tried work? Can you point us at a link for one so we can see what's non-standard about them?

SuperSam64

Hey @billsey , thanks for your reply, that's very helpful! I bought the computer online from Best Buy, and in the order receipt it shows the model number as ATC-280-UR11 - I can only assume they are using some kind of shorthand by combining the first character of the product line ("A" for Aspire) with the model number. Not sure why, as this seems to make things unnecessarily confusing. But now that I know that I will see if I can learn anything new on my end that will help me find the part I need.

To answer your question, here is the part that I ordered: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005LGVK70/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I should mention that what I received looked a little bit different than the photos on the product's page. It's been so long now that I can't remember the discrepancy... But it did show the exact same model number (FSP300-60THA). It fit in the tower and, with everything connected in the same way as with the other power supply, with all ribbon cables securely attached on both ends, it would not power on. And again, switching back and forth between the old and new power supply gave the same results; the new one never powered on, the old one powered on every time (but with the loud fan noise). Can you think of any reason this might happen? Is there something about this power supply that makes it incompatible with the hardware? It is 300W as you mentioned in your post. I'm not planning on upgrading the graphics card or anything else, I'm only replacing the power supply out of necessity, as the sound is disruptive, and I fear the fan will eventually give out and the computer will overheat and get damaged. Thanks very much for your help!

billsey

It sure looks like it should have worked, though it's a little more expensive than many of the others. At that price point I'd likely have done one like this, a bit more power and the 120mm fan should be nice and quiet. I'm guessing the new one you received just was a bad one. Go through Amazon and return it for refund or replacement.

It's also possible to replace the fan in your old supply, but that takes a bit more technical expertise, since you'd likely be soldering stuff inside it.

SuperSam64

@billsey, thanks for the link, I will give that one a try. You certainly seem to know a lot more about this than I do, so far as you know, is there anything special I will need to do to make this fit inside the tower, and work the way it should? I figured that if I ordered the exact same model it came with, there wouldn't be anything I'd have to modify to get this working. As your recommendation is a bit different than the original model, I just want to be sure there's nothing I need to do differently that I should know about.

As far as the one I ordered from Amazon, I did return it, and ordered another one with the same result. This is why I figured it must be user error. But maybe they're just not well made. In any case, thanks again for your help.

billsey

ATX power supplies are really standard, they all have the minimum needed to fit and work, some differentiate themselves by putting more cables in, some by being more power efficient, some by pretty lights behind the fan.

So don't be surprised to find that you end up with some connectors you aren't using.

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