Using Work Bench Computer Power Supply

Issue:
Be able to test if hard drive spins up without having to connect it to a computer

Quick:

Use an old power supply. Cut the the green wire and connect it to one of the black ground wires.
Note that some power supplies may have either a gray or brown wire to represent "power good"/"power OK". This wire should be connected to either an orange wire (+3.3V) or a red wire (+5V) for the power supply to function. When in doubt, try the lower voltage first (+3.3V).




Visual/Learning:

A computer power supply will not work if you just plug it in on the bench. You need to ground the green wire. Here is a link on how to turn your computer power supply into a bench supply for electronics projects.



http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply