Final answer:
The symptoms of a catastrophic computer power supply failure include a loss of power, unusual noises, random freezing or restarting, insufficient power to run the computer properly, hardware component failures, and a burning or acrid smell.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of a catastrophic computer power supply failure can include a complete loss of power to the computer. This means that the computer will not turn on at all or may turn on briefly and then shut off. Another symptom is unusual or loud noises coming from the power supply. It can also cause the computer to freeze or restart randomly.
Additionally, if the power supply fails, it may not be able to provide enough power to run all the components of the computer properly. This can result in issues such as the computer not booting up or shutting down unexpectedly. It can also cause hardware components to fail.
In some cases, the power supply may emit a burning or acrid smell. This can indicate that the power supply has been damaged or is malfunctioning. It is important to address this issue immediately to prevent further damage to the computer.