computer restarted randomly then stoped working

[mws5872]

I have a custom made computer that was created for my GF. I recently bumped the computer to a 2600 as it wasnt running at full capacity( the MOBO and processor) both are rated for 2600. Anyways I set the jumpers and it all seemed fine. Well when my gf was using her computer sometimes it would just randomly restart without anyone assisting it. It did this for a few days and I warned my GF that she should get a power supply. Eventually the computer just stopped booting all togeather. What do you guys think? I need a second oppion I am sure its the power supply but I am rust with computers now.


Thanks everyone

 

[franklin97355]

I'd go with the power supply first, the're no too expensive (don't get a real cheap one)

 

[garebo]

Could also be ram but it could be the power supply. I would see if i could borrow one first to test and see.
Also, if you could put the ram into another computer and test the ram using memtest, that would rule the ram out as an issue anyway.
Do you know the make and model and wattage of the power supply? Is it a cheap power supply that comes with a cheap case? Is it older?


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[mws5872]

ok, some more info after I did some testing. I put in another power supply and it still didnt work. The old power supply was a 200 or a 250 watt p/s. I also thought maybe it was the video card. I replaced that and kept the working power supply( from my main machine) and that also didnt work. I thought maybe it was the monitor so I disconnected the wire and a message came on the screen" no signal" so that is ruled out for the time being. So far my next choice is a blown motherboard or processor any suggestions from you guys?


thanks

 

[paparazi]

mws5872
CPU TYPE? If Athlon/Sempron then did you install the heatsink/fan 180degrees out or without thermal paste? (recess in the base of the heatsink so it is located over the raised cam box of the CPU socket) if this is the case then I'm afraid it sounds like your CPU is fried.

Martin


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[mws5872]

hmm... no the thermal paste has never been moved. This computer has been working perfectly for over a year. The HD has some activity.... I think it might be the ram.

 

[paparazi]

mws5872
It helps if you have an open mind about things without just dismissing them out of hand.

First give us more info, More more info, like specs etc

You said, QUOTE! I recently bumped the computer to a 2600
so you replaced you CPU? thats why I assumed you must have removed the heatsink? obviously you mean something else?
Martin

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[mws5872]

the processor is a amd 2600 2.2ghz I did not switch the processor ever, it was just that it was not running at normal speed.(it was running at 1.25gh) and I did the jumper to correct this.
the motherboard is a ECS

http://www.ecsusa.com/products/k7vta3_6.html

that is the correct motherboard. IT says that it will run a 2600+. it has some old DDR ram and an old agp video card 32 bit. Do you guys need more info?

I did not replace the CPU or remove the heatsink since i pute this togeather. Let me know guys thanks

 

[paparazi]

mws5872
Use the Cmos jumper clear "clear" it's settings.
Having replaced both the PSU and graphics card the next most likely "failed" component is the memory followed by the CPU, coming up at the bottom of the list, the motherboard.
Could you describe what exactly is happening, any lights, fans, hard drive noise etc, did any of these things change at all when you fitted the new PSU? is a power or reset button sticking in?

My feeling is this system needs to be stripped back to bare bones! unplug everything including IDE/floppy and molex cables, front panel header wires and all addon cards, just leave moby with: CPU/Cooler/1 stick of ram/graphics/power plug to moby from PSU, clear that cmos
Momentarily touch "pwr" power pins, with small flat blade screwdriver, it should post?
With the bios defaulting back to 200fsb it might also be advisable to change the Lithium 2032 button battery.
Martin

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[mws5872]

Wow that is a lot to check, I can tell there is still a lot I dont know. I plan to check all of this tonight to see if I can get any reaction. I didnt know you have to clear the CMOS, but I do know how to do it. Well it has a dell monitor so the green light blinks on then off and then continues. It always does that when there is nothing going on ( example leaving the monitor on and the pc off) The fans all seem to be working and I notice no unusal noise compared to how it normally runs. None of these things changed when I tried a different P/S or video card. I will get back to you tonight once I try this thanks again.

 

[temporello]

AMD 2600 running at 2.2 Ghz?
And you say that you played with a jumper as well to increase the speed...

 

[paparazi]

temporello
The original XP2.6+ was only a 266fsb 256kb L2 Cache CPU but had a clock speed higher than the rest at just over 2.1 (lowest performer)
Then the Thoroughbred B XP2.6+ with a 333fsb but only 256kb L2 Cache at 2083mhz
Then the Thornton XP2.6+, which uses the longer Barton Core but with half the level 2 cache so still 256kb still at 2083mhz I think then finally:
The Latest, and most say the best: Barton XP2.6+ that only runs at 1920mhz but has twice the L2 Cache at 512kb.
Note* The Barton and Thoroughbred XP2.6+ CPU's perform almost identically but the Barton has better O/C potential.

Martin


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[garebo]

I think when you "bumped" it up to 2600 you may have made an error. By the sound of what you have said it seems to be true and look what paparazzi has come up with.
I would follow his advice and start with the "reset" of the cmos as he mentioned.




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