I'm new at the repairing end of computers. I had a power supply go out and I know it's bad. My problem is that the power supply I bought is a 20/24 pin connector and my mother board is a 20 pin. This is where I'm lost. Do I need an adaptor to make the 24 pin work on a 20 pin board?

Thanks for the help.

Well if I am not mistaked shouldn't the adapter be included with the power supply...?

Did the power supply come with a manual?

Can you give us the make an model so we can help you better...?

check the ATX connector most of these 20/24 pin compatibles have a 4 pin section that separates to provide the 20 pin compatibility.

if yours pulls apart, use the 20 pin portion for your mainboard

Yep, a lot of PSU's will do that. Some (like mine) are 20/24 pin, but is a single piece. The extra 4 that aren't used just hang off the end and don't plug into anything or interfere with anything. Keeps from having a dangling wire that you'd be tempted to stick a paper clip in...