What does a power supply do?

[Ryder Zery]

3D Mark 2001 says there is no power supply in my computer, but I see everyone talking about them like they're required. So what do they do, and is it really possible that I don't have one?

no powersupply?

a power supply suplies power to the motherboard and the harddrives, cdroms, fans and etc.

if you dont have one, you dont have a computer that cant power on. so its a huge paper weight

if posted from that computer you do have a powersupply in the computer

http://www.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm

[Ryder Zery]

But why does a computer need a power supply if it's plugged into the wall? Doesn't it get power from the outlet? Sorry I don't know anything about this stuff...

[Scott Tiger]

Just read the link GZ3 posted. I gave it a quick glance and I think it'll answer most of your questions. (The answer to your second question is in the first paragraph).

read the link i provided

[Ryder Zery]

Oh OK, I just saw the link. Then there must be a power supply in my computer, but why doesn't 3D Mark detect it? And is there any way to find out how many watts it is? Just curious...

look on the back of the computer, and it should say on the tag how many watts it is. some power supplies have the ability to plug in the motherboard so you can monitor it. yours must not have that option. no biggie

[Ryder Zery]

I couldn't find any tag, just some stickers but none of them said the watts. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter if I know or not. It's already in there and I have no plans to replace it (saving up for a new comp for next year ).