Ozzuneoj wrote on 2026-08-16, 22:30:

... If you haven't already, make sure to crack open that PSU and check for swollen\leaky caps ...

Good point, and I have to say it's "on my list" (ie: I plan to check but haven't done so yet)

I did at least do what I always do when putting any older power supply back in service - I touched all the power outputs with scopemeter to check that voltages were in range and outputs weren't noisy. I know that supplies with "bad caps" can look good for a while ... but I felt OK powering it up today.

I've had good luck with Corsair & Antec PSUs over the years - they tended to use good quality caps and don't think I've ever seen one of those actually fail.
Cheap no/off brand ones not so much!

DaveDDS wrote on 2026-08-17, 04:25:

Good point, and I have to say it's "on my list" (ie: I plan to check but haven't done so yet) […]
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Ozzuneoj wrote on 2026-08-16, 22:30:

... If you haven't already, make sure to crack open that PSU and check for swollen\leaky caps ...

Good point, and I have to say it's "on my list" (ie: I plan to check but haven't done so yet)

I did at least do what I always do when putting any older power supply back in service - I touched all the power outputs with scopemeter to check that voltages were in range and outputs weren't noisy. I know that supplies with "bad caps" can look good for a while ... but I felt OK powering it up today.

I've had good luck with Corsair & Antec PSUs over the years - they tended to use good quality caps and don't think I've ever seen one of those actually fail.
Cheap no/off brand ones not so much!

Yeah, I'm not sure about the True series... my old True Power 430W (purchased from NewEgg in 2003) either died or was moved on to someone else's machine many, many years ago. But the Smart Power (2.0 in particular) series are notorious for bad caps. I think they tended to use Fuhjyyu caps, which are among the worst possible. Antec Earthwatts models can also be hit or miss, though the ones I've personally owned have generally been okay.

1999-2008 was a very sad and unpredictable time.

I am simple man, I see older NIB stuff at the thrift, I buy the older NIB stuff at the thrift...

Pinnacle Studio Deluxe Edition (Version 8 NTSC Retail CDN) ... with included capture card and breakout dongle, or I guess this wouldn't belong in hardware.

Bottom of box says it works on 98 thru XP and needs 800Mhz and DX support minimum, but recommends 1.5Ghz and Geforce3 or Radeon 9700.

Dang, by the time I ACTUALLY get my VHS converted to digital, I will have bought 11 ways to do it 🤣

Edit: Think this is the card they put in the box, might be variant/version differences https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/pinn … tems-studio-700