I suspect my power supply is dead...so I brought my PC to a repair shop and was told that the power supply is a PROPRIETARY item and will ahve to be ordered. The PC is a Pavilion 8660C. Anyone else come across this before? What are my options?

Thanks
FrankHow old is the pc......and have you modified it.

What makes you think its  the psu?If it is an HP it is a proprietary power supply. Failrly expensive and underpowered, but will be appropriate for that unit.

An alternative would be to buy an old identical unit, and harvest parts off it as needed, if it is too expensive.  If that is an older model, this may be the better option.  What was your cost estimate? I am 100% sure your repairman is telling the truth.

List the faults.....then find the CURE......it does not do to jump to conclusions.Thanks Merlin 2 and GX1.

I am not sure it is the psu...the machine just died last week, and there was no life at all.

Windows98 thought it was the psu or MOTHERBOARD. I took it to the repairshop and they think it is the psu. But cannot get generic parts to fit.

The PC is about 5 years old, and HP 8660C.

What do you think I should do now.

FrankWell if it's not the power supply for sure, I would try to make sure. I thought they must have tested it in some way to DETERMINE that.

This model appears to only be supported for Windows 98SE, with a PIII-533 chipset and onboard graphics. Limited expansion and no upgradeability, so I wouldn't spend a whole lot. Replacement power supply (185 watts) from HP is $77 plus shipping, probably more than it is worth, unfortunately. A replacement 320 watt PSU is available for $34.99 here:

http://www.directron.com/mps3atx20.htmlI am having problem with a replacement psu.
After replacing AMD processor fan spins up for
3 seconds then shuts down. Quote

I am having problem with a replacement psu.
After replacing AMD processor fan spins up for
3 seconds then shuts down.