booting problem

[Guest_imported]

Hi,
I've got a problem with my computer that has been running OK for some months prior to this.

The computer turns on sometimes but then occasionally completely loses power and I have to manually switch the button on the back of the case on/off a few times before it will start up again. Sometimes the power will stay on, sometimes the same thing will happen again. If that's not bad enough when the power does work the system cannot detect the HDD (not even in BIOS)though I get one beep and the LED on the MOBO reads correctly. Now strangely again sometimes it will boot up fine and load up windows with no problems and work for some days before the problems start all over again.

specs are:

Win98
Athlon 1.3mhz
512mb pc133 sdram
40gb Fujitsu HDD
Soundblaster live soundcard
Geforce II mx 64mb graphics card
Network card
300w PSU
EPOX 8KTA3 MOBO
2 extra fans for cooling in the case

I built the system myself and as I said it had been running fine for months before the problems started.

Any help gratefully received.

Cheers

Zig

 

[wolluf]

First suspect would be the power unit.

 

[Guest_imported]

Hi Wolluf,

Thx for the quick response. I suspected the PSU too however this gives me a couple of questions:

Why would the HDD still not be recognised when the computer does boot up (which it has this morning)

Is 300w suitable for the set up I have ?


Thx again

Zig

 

[wolluf]

I'm not an expert on power units - just seen lots of posts on various forums. Consensus seems to be that faster chips (1GHz+) and AMD ones particularly need a 'good' power unit (ie, 300w could be suitable - depends on build of unit - but recommend get higher rating on the basis that even poor higher rated units will have better chance of meeting the peak demands). Effects of underpowered unit are various (don't know if your HDD not being recognised is one) - so offered solutions are often, 'replace the power unit & see if it fixes your problem - if not post back'!
Hope this helps.

 

[Guest_imported]

Update

Ok I went to my local shop and purchased a new case with a 350w PSU (was cheaper than stand alone PSU !! ) Have transferred the whole computer into the new case and it now runs without random power downs, however I've still got the problem that it will not detect the HDD btw the message "Invalid system disk" etc etc comes up, I assume this is because it can't detect the HDD and hence windows it's looking for the boot disk on the floppy ?? Any ideas if I can try anything else or has the HDD had it. Reading other posts it appears that the Fujitsu isn't the most reliable of drives and guess what, it's 2 months over warranty !! that's probably nearly £100.00 down the swanee then.

If there's anything else I could try before having to purchase a new HDD I will give it a go.

Cheers


Zig

 

[Guest_imported]

Welcome to the wonderfule world of Fujitsu. These symptoms are typical of their drives dying. Unless you are very lucky the day is coming when it will not start up. Again. Ever.

I speak from personal experience, I have had a customer report "Invalid system disk" but by the time I get there it is working, 2 weeks or so later the drive dies.

 

[Guest_imported]

Hi Neil,

It's so annoying not only from paying that amount of money for roughly only one years use but also for the data loss, though I am lucky in that this machine is basically only used for games within my home network.

It appears that I was also struck with the PSU problem at the same time or do you think the 2 issues could be connected in any way ?

Looks like I'll have to replace it, any recommendations as to what would be a good reliable and affordable EIDE 40gb+ drive?

Cheers

Zig

 

[Guest_imported]

The power issue seems to be resolved with no power loss since using the new case/PSU.

The HDD problem however continues, I tried running the WIN boot disk and it reports that no HDD is conected as does the McAfee virus scanning program and Fujitsu's only dagnosis program !!

I've switched the cable from the known to be working DVD drive in case the HDD cable was faulty but still the same, so that eliminates that possibility. The jumper is set to master so that's correct (only device on EIDE 1 ) so it's got to be a faulty HDD.

So now to splash more cash on a new one which WON'T be a Fujitsu !!!!!!!


Cheers


Zig

 

[wolluf]

Ziggy

Maxtor, IBM... You sound like UK based (£100) -

http://prices.cclcomputers.co.uk

is a good place (they're in Bradford - so local for me in Leeds) - good prices & support.

PS. I must have been lucky with Fujitsu - have 3 or 4 - still all running (2 are 5 or 6 years old)!

 

[garebo]

I dont think you are just lucky with the Fujitsu's. I think they are about the best. I have one that is 6 years old and I have used it in all my new builds as I like it.
As the people who build and repair them for a living. They will tell you Fujitsu is one of the best.

I have had nothing but good luck with maxtor and they are usually lowest prices too!! I have a few maxtors too and they have been running for years. I have 4 hard drives in my present system, one fujitu, 3 maxtor, and a western digital. Needless to say, I am running an ide controller card as well and a 350 watt power supply. I have had the western dig about 5 years too!!
But some bios's have trouble with western digital drives.
I also read bad things in a post here about Fujitsu but this guy has a prob with his power supply, its not the fault of the fujitsu drives.
I have heard good things about Seagate too and bad things from a few sources about some of the IBM drives, i think its the 60 gig with the x in the model name, heard tons of bad things about them in other forums. I stay away from these IBM's.