What we will need:
1) A Power Cable
2) A Power Supply
3) A Paper Clip
Once we have the three P's, we are ready to begin, and will follow a simple three step process.
Step 1Plug in the Power Cable to the wall, and then into the back of the Power Supply. Make sure the Power Supply is flipped to 1 and not 0. I like to remember 1 is for power because 1 looks like I, and I have ADHD. So I always haves me some powers. 0 is like O which is like my OH face. Then I am drained of power.
Step 2Take the paper clip and bend it into a 'U' shape. We want the two ends of it to be next to each other, or relatively close.
Step 3Now we are in the final step. Locate the Green wire on your PSU. There should only be one Green wire, whether you have a 20 or 24 pin power cable.
Alright, we found it. Now we get have to find a Black wire on your PSU as well. There are a few, but we should be fine.
Finally, take the paper clip and insert one end into the Green wire and the other end into any Black wire.
And there we have it. Your power supply is alive and kicking. Again, this is a good way to test fans for functionality, CD-ROMs, and Floppy Drives. Almost any component that will plug into this is fine. I would not advise for your hard drive in case of data loss, but if it's a questionable hard drive (why else would we test it?) then you I'm guessing you don't care if it has anything on it, or it's too old to matter.
FAQ:
1) Can I be electrocuted?
No! There is no way you can be electrocuted with the paper clip. However, if you touch a capicator or something else that would cause you to be electrocuted, I take no responsibility.
2)How many volts are running through there?
I have no clue. I honestly do not. But you need not worry because you cannot be electrocuted.
Source : http://www.overclock.net/t/96712/how-to-jump-start-a-power-supply-psu-test-a-power-supply-and-components
