Underpowered PSU causing this problem? 2

[dparrott]

Hey all,

I installed a new video card last night (it's an ATI HD3870, from an ATI Radeon X1600XT). After moving things around (the size difference is considerable), I had major issues with my OS hard drive. I'm sure you're all familiar with the "click of death" hard drives make. It was making that, but not constantly like most hard drives that are bad do. There is a very real possiblity that my PSU isn't big enough to handle my system (3 HD's, 1 optical drive, the video card, 3 fans, audio card, PCI USB card) and it's like a 450W or less.

I would occasionally be able to boot into the OS on the OS disk, so I decided to bring it to work where I have an external enclosure for 3.5" HD's. The enclosure has a separate power supply, and I had no issues reading from it for the entire 2+ hours it was being imaged. There wasn't a single click either.

Is it possible that the low power caused the HD to "turn off" while the rest of the PC was on?

Thanks,

Danny

 

[jvilla80]

I would get a power tester and test out the Power supply. I have hear over time the power supply's lose wattage over the years. Maybe its time for a new one. I am currently in the same boat my psu just died out on me. I am looking to get a new one.

 

[dparrott]

I've got a power supply for a hard disk adapter that I'll plug into the hd while in the computer so I know it's getting the required power. I was wondering if anyone had heard of something like this before.

To me, the odd thing was the "click of death" going away when I got it to work. Never had a hd make that noise and then work fine later.

 

[G0AOZ]

The average PSU tester only checks the Power Supply under a very minimal load, so all it's telling you is if the relevant voltage rails are actually working. It does NOT test the PSU under full load conditions, so you don't know if any of the rails are sagging, dropping out, or giving a clean, stable DC voltage within spec.

You don't say what the power requirements might be for your mobo, but from the drives you've listed, I'd say a good quality 550W or higher would be beneficial.

Components within PSUs do deteriorate with age, and mains voltage spikes, lightning on nearby power lines, etc., all detract from their longevity.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[vacunita]

Definitely the clicking is a clear indicator that the drive is not getting enough power. Just enough to get out of the parked position but not enough to actually spin up, so it goes back to being parked and it repeats.

It happened to me, with a very similar setup to yours.

I had 3 HDs 2 optical drives a new video Card, a sound card Sometimes the drive would come up but one of the others would not or none would be seen. it was terrible.

I did the same thing you did and brought the drives to work to check them out, they worked fine. so I backed up what was important from the main drive, the other 2 had some music and files but nothing critical.


I removed everything from the case except one hard drive, and booted up, it was on about 20 minutes before the PSU just gave out, and smoked. It turned itself off, and I quickly unplugged everything.

I replaced the PSU, and now everything works great.

So yea its likely the PSU is just not powerful enough to drive all those things.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[dparrott]

Yeah, thats what it appears. thanks for the input, you guys cemented my own observations. I have a generic (I was still in college when I built this pc) PSU rated at 420W.

I have this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812189169,

and when I put the OS disk on the power supply from it, it works fine. I've restarted about 5 or 6 times, no issues. I'd been having a little bit of the same issue with one of my other drives (the wiring changed with the new video card), so my PSU is probably dying. Definitely getting one, brand name 550W or higher.

Incidentally, I have a 320 GB brand new hdd for sale. Any takers? Oh well, I'll just add it to my htpc. More tv recording never hurt anyone.

 

[Freestone]

In case you missed the specs for your ATI HD3870, here they are:

http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonhd3800/requirements.html

Note the recommended 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector.

 

[dparrott]

yeah. There was only one problem. Without my video card, I could not get online to see it. The fan on the other one broke and was crashing, which I had not said. Thanks for looking that up.

 

[paparazi]

The reality is that your GENERIC 420watt PSU is likely failing at less than 300watts
When it comes to PSU's quality all the way!
I would choose a 300watt Seasonic/Enermax/Antec/Hec/Zalman/CWT/Hiper/Cosair/Tagan/ everytime over any 450watt generic.

500watt quality PSU recommended. Look at the Antec 500watt Basiq for example......affordable and reliable.
Martin


On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[bobw]

Here's a handy calculator to assist with the calculations - in this case, bigger is better.

http://www.journeysystems.com/?power_supply_calculator

Bob W

"If the only tool you have is a hammer, you will see every problem as a nail." - Abraham Maslow

 

[pete1427]

General information: The X1600XT power usage is about
42 Watts, the 3870 power usage is about 105 Watts which
is not a lot compared with the current high end video
cards available today.

I would pony up for a new high quality power supply.



Pete/Technician-now retired
Nicknamed "Einstein" by former co-workers