Killed PSU, or bad driver?

[tysonic]

The symptons started 2 days ago, after about 4-5 hours the system would freeze up solid, only when using IE6. Yesterday that time frame dropped to about 15min after booting, again while useing IE6. I was able to do other things in windows, vid cap, games, 3dmark, etc. Ran a dos based memcheck and all 3 sticks of PNY memory (256mb pc100) passed. When I removed the memcheck software and rebooted, the machine continually reboots now. I can get to the F8 menu, but all options cause a reboot. I can not get back into windows. All drivers are the latest XP versions.

Things i tried:
Recovery console by booting to CD, tried Fixboot, and Chkdsk, did not try fixmbr due to corruption warning (i need some data off the drive).

Removed everything i could except for 1 stick ram, 1 hard drive, 1 cd-rom, and video card, still reboots on its own.

Tried a different AGP vid card, still reboots by itself. I can get into the bios, tried fail safe defaults, still reboots.

Then i tried to get my cd out of the drive, there was no power to it. Changed to a different power lead and it worked.

It's a 300w Aopen power supply that came with my HX08 case. I have the following running off it: (did I kill it?)
Abit BE6-II mb, i checked the caps, none have exploded yet.
Slotket with PIII 933mhz, not o/c'ed (35c temp avg)
Geforce 4 TI 4200 vid card, not o/c'ed
Adaptec Raid 1200, with 2 WD60gb 7200 drives in Raid 0
1 WD60gb and 1 maxtor 20gb on primary IDE, not highpoint controller.
1 DVD Rom and 1 CD burner on Secondary IDE
Vid Cap card from Winnov
Belkin Wireless network card setup
Sound Blaster Live
Adaptec USB 2 adapter, dedicated to HP scanner
2 120mm case fans
1 Thermaltake ORB CPU fan
Nexus Rheostat setup to control fans
Antec hard drive cooler with 3 fans
Floppy drive
Belkin USB hub with IBM PC web camera, Acomm MultiFlash reader
And i'm using XP Home

Anyone agree that it's the power supply and not a boot up driver issue?

Thanks!
Tyson

 

[ski]

Possible causes:

-Everything not completely seated on the motherboard.
Reseat everything.

-Overheating
If it reboots immediately after being shut down for a while, then rule out this as the cause.
If it reboots after running for a while, then make sure all fans are running, all vents are unobstructed, there's no dust buildup, etc.
If they're ok, then remove the computer's cover, and run an external fan. If this works, then either the CPU or the system is overheating.

-Overtaxed or bad power supply
Swap it out with a different(preferably higher wattage) unit.(Also, the bad power lead to the CD-ROM drive points to the power supply as a prime suspect.)

-Bad memory
Remove and reinsert the memory a few times, and try it in different slots.
If no luck, then swap it out with known good memory.

-Bad MB.
Swap it out with a known good MB.

 

[mjinks61]

Your latest symptoms to me reek of a weak/failing power supply. Last one I had go out acted VERY much like what you described. You also seem to be running a lot of things for a 300W unit. Power supplies are relatively cheap these days, so there isn't a lot you have to lose by trying a new one. I would recommend a 350W unit if you do decide to replace it. As for the beginning of the problem, you said it was when running IE6. I can not think of any scenario where software usage would take out a power supply. Good luck, and Happy Computing

 

[tysonic]

>As for the beginning of the problem, you said it was when >running IE6. I can not think of any scenario where >software usage would take out a power supply.

I agree, it just seemed strange. Not enough power to the video card perhaps, this TI4200 has a built in fan on it.

If there wasn't enough power to the vid card the fan may have stopped, causing it to overheat and lockup. Since there's no sensor on it i'd have no clue if it stopped and when.

Are there other fan options for the GF4 cards that offer temp/speed sensors?

Tyson

 

[mjinks61]

I believe NVIDIA drivers has temp reporting built in if your card will support it. I believe this feature is dependent on whether the vendor chose to make it available. Check the latest drivers from NVIDIA. It is possible this feature would have to be enabled in the video's advanced properties. The G4 mx440 card i use doesn't support temp reporting. They also claim that with this utility you can do overclocking from within it, as opposed to having to crack the case and move jumpers.
I had read about the tools built into the driver on NVIDIA's site. Good luck, and Happy Computing

 

[tysonic]

Ski Said:
>-Overtaxed or bad power supply
>Swap it out with a different(preferably higher wattage) >unit.(Also, the bad power lead to the CD-ROM drive points >to the power supply as a prime suspect.)

I built this system this past weekend (actually a rebuild of an existing system with new stuff, about 3/4's of the list above was recycled) and finally got everything in on Wednesday. One thing I forgot to mention was an increase in heat from the PSU over normal (I've had this machine over 3 years now).

But at the time I thought nothing of it because there wasn't any flames, sparks, smoke or glowing lights coming from it.

I'll pick up an Antec 400+ watter tonight and try it out.

Tyson

 

[tysonic]

mjinks61 Said:
>I believe NVIDIA drivers has temp reporting built in if >your card will support it. I believe this feature is >dependent on whether the vendor chose to make it >available. Check the latest drivers from NVIDIA.

My vendor is PNY for the G4, after a cursory look at their website I saw no mention of support.

I'll keep digging tonight to see what i can find on Nvida's site. Thanks for the tip!

Tyson

 

[ski]

A power supply can become overloaded or fail without any external signs.