I read through all of your posts and the analysis, thank you everyone so far. This is truly an awesome community. I've been a bit busy, but I will write a better post tonight. So, I'll double check by opening it up, but it seems that the IC isn't cracked, that's good to hear.
Just to clarify, the sound almost sounds like something "decompressing" or "relieving" stress when I power it off. It is like a slight hiss coupled with a slight crackle. I imagine it as components releasing some sort of energy or stress in a way that shouldn't occur.
Verysaving, I appreciate you identifying the bad caps - looks like I should plan to replace those either way (only if you all think this is salvageable).
Mkarcher, the details you provide shed some great light on this, I need to re-read through your latest post to understand better. Thank you!
So far, do you guys think this thing might just need some caps replaced? Or something more serious?
I know that Verysaving also wanted me to get a better pic of the voltage reg, I'll try to do that tonight also.
Yeah... it's a good PSU. I'm willing to get a different one for sure, but if it isn't too technical of a repair, I'd be absolutely willing to do some component replacement (especially if it means knowing that it is good to go).
I have a Delta that I originally bought, but silly me got one that looks to be oriented for a desktop style case...bummer.
I'm trying to avoid the ATX to AT situation... Maybe I'm being stubborn, but I have a feeling (from things I read, too) that newer PSUs may not be setup to run the kind of components that the 90s PCs typically had, at least in an ideal world. I want to do whatever it takes to preserve the components by providing reliable, clean power.