Need some computer help..not sure what to do anymore. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Rawrr · 08-05-2004, 10:03 PM

AMD 2500+
1 Gig Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM
Asus A7N8X Delux
Radeon 9800 Pro
Windows XP Pro

That is the system that has been giving me all holy hell lately.

I have been freezing and the PC even reboots itself sometimes. I have done some tests (not many) with Prime95 to test out stability of each stick of RAM (512x2) and one stick gave me errors right away. I RMA'd that stick this morning.

I have tested my hard drive (western digital 80gig 8mb cache) with WD's diagnostic utility and it tells me nothing is wrong with the HD.

So, I am thinking it is my PSU but I'm not positive..

I have tightened the grounding screws on my motherboard and everything but I'm not sure what else to do. I don't have another PSU to test with but I do have another graphics card which doesn't use a power supply plug.

If I don't crash while using my other graphics card will that confirm my theory of the faulty Power Supply?

Edit: Also I have 6 fans on my case and a Thermaltake Volcano 12 running on my processor so I'm pretty positive it isn't overheating in that area..however I am not sure if my graphics card is or not.. the stock fan seems pretty wimpy.

cub4life78 · 08-06-2004, 06:04 AM

Try exchanging power supply, make sure appropriate drivers are installed (if needed). I had a new system that would lock up right after boot up pretty much and I switched to another psu and it stopped right after that. Good luck!

Eric640 · 08-06-2004, 11:47 AM

Sytem randomly restarting is caused by a flaky PSU or poor heat managment.

System freezes can be caused by ANYTHING, but if the freezes feel entirely random, or only happen under heavy cpu\video stress (IE: only freezes in 3D games) then you can be relatively assured you are again looking at a heat or PSU problem.

DIAGNOSIS:

Download motherboard monitor and examine your powersupply rails when the system has been running at high intensity (run through a burn in test or loop 3dmark 2003 a few times).

Write down the voltage rails before and after the stress and see how much they deviate from the normal 3.3v, 5v, 12v that they should be.

Also please tell us what BRAND and how many WATTS your powersupply is rated for (it will be written on it).

Also pay attention to component heat. Though I do not suspect this is your issue. Since you have good air cooling... and if your graphics card were overheating... you would most likely notice ARTIFACTING (random bits or on screen distortions) well before it froze.

Rawrr · 08-06-2004, 02:30 PM

Alright I'll watch MBM and log the power usage and such..

My Aspire Turbo case came with a 420 watt Turbolink PSU..I'm not to sure who makes a good PSU but my friend recommended Antec.

Edit:

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric640

Also pay attention to component heat. Though I do not suspect this is your issue. Since you have good air cooling... and if your graphics card were overheating... you would most likely notice ARTIFACTING (random bits or on screen distortions) well before it froze.

I hope it is just a PSU problem (well I hope for no problems at all but..yeah heh) and not my graphics card.. spending $63 for a PSU is np.. spending near $200 could be hehe. Also I haven't noticed artifacting or anything in Doom 3 or Dark Age of Camelot if what you say is true about artifacting.

Rawrr · 08-06-2004, 03:37 PM

Bleh just froze up and had MBM logging and wasn't able to save the text

I was using my older graphics card (Geforce Ti4200) which doesn't require a power plug in to start.

My PC freezes and it loses signal but the fans and lights and things are still going.. like my PC is actually on.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...153-007&depa=0

Thoughts on that PSU? heh

Edit: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-908&depa=1

Think I'd get that one over the Thermaltake if it is my PSU

08-05-2004, 10:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rawrr Insane Location: Virginia	Need some computer help..not sure what to do anymore. AMD 2500+ 1 Gig Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM Asus A7N8X Delux Radeon 9800 Pro Windows XP Pro That is the system that has been giving me all holy hell lately. I have been freezing and the PC even reboots itself sometimes. I have done some tests (not many) with Prime95 to test out stability of each stick of RAM (512x2) and one stick gave me errors right away. I RMA'd that stick this morning. I have tested my hard drive (western digital 80gig 8mb cache) with WD's diagnostic utility and it tells me nothing is wrong with the HD. So, I am thinking it is my PSU but I'm not positive.. I have tightened the grounding screws on my motherboard and everything but I'm not sure what else to do. I don't have another PSU to test with but I do have another graphics card which doesn't use a power supply plug. If I don't crash while using my other graphics card will that confirm my theory of the faulty Power Supply? Edit: Also I have 6 fans on my case and a Thermaltake Volcano 12 running on my processor so I'm pretty positive it isn't overheating in that area..however I am not sure if my graphics card is or not.. the stock fan seems pretty wimpy. __________________ This revelation is the death of ignorance tangled in a state of suffocation slave to self righteousness damnation is on your lips Last edited by Rawrr; 08-05-2004 at 10:09 PM..

08-06-2004, 11:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
Eric640 Tilted	Sytem randomly restarting is caused by a flaky PSU or poor heat managment. System freezes can be caused by ANYTHING, but if the freezes feel entirely random, or only happen under heavy cpu\video stress (IE: only freezes in 3D games) then you can be relatively assured you are again looking at a heat or PSU problem. DIAGNOSIS: Download motherboard monitor and examine your powersupply rails when the system has been running at high intensity (run through a burn in test or loop 3dmark 2003 a few times). Write down the voltage rails before and after the stress and see how much they deviate from the normal 3.3v, 5v, 12v that they should be. Also please tell us what BRAND and how many WATTS your powersupply is rated for (it will be written on it). Also pay attention to component heat. Though I do not suspect this is your issue. Since you have good air cooling... and if your graphics card were overheating... you would most likely notice ARTIFACTING (random bits or on screen distortions) well before it froze. Last edited by Eric640; 08-06-2004 at 11:52 AM..

08-06-2004, 03:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rawrr Insane Location: Virginia	Bleh just froze up and had MBM logging and wasn't able to save the text I was using my older graphics card (Geforce Ti4200) which doesn't require a power plug in to start. My PC freezes and it loses signal but the fans and lights and things are still going.. like my PC is actually on. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...153-007&depa=0 Thoughts on that PSU? heh Edit: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-908&depa=1 Think I'd get that one over the Thermaltake if it is my PSU __________________ This revelation is the death of ignorance tangled in a state of suffocation slave to self righteousness damnation is on your lips Last edited by Rawrr; 08-06-2004 at 05:15 PM..

08-06-2004, 06:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
cub4life78 Insane Location: Kansas	Try exchanging power supply, make sure appropriate drivers are installed (if needed). I had a new system that would lock up right after boot up pretty much and I switched to another psu and it stopped right after that. Good luck!