Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - Does this sound like a power supply problem?

Kadorak · 09-27-2009, 11:25 AM

Hi folks,

Although I use computers for a heck of a lot - gaming, writing, coursework - I admit I don't know a darn thing about hardware. I was hoping some of you could help me with a problem I've been having, either by confirming my hunch or offering an alternative explanation.

A month ago, my video card fried, so I took my computer into the local store which I bought it from to have this replaced under warranty. They offered to upgrade the video card from the warranty funds, and I agreed, so they installed a new GeForce GTX 285. The tech support crew also told me that my current power supply would be insufficient, so they installed a new one.

Well, after taking the computer home, it started exhibiting problems while playing modern 3D games. The computer would randomly crash while playing many games; the frequency varied with the game, but it would be about 10-50 minutes. I can give you a list of games that have crashed if you want. Anyways, the monitor would go black and say "no signal detected". The sound would keep going for a few seconds, then crash too. The only solution was to turn off the computer by holding down the power button. I tried using a different monitor, updating my drivers, and updating DirectX, all to no avail.

I sent the computer back into the local store with a note explaining the problem, and they took it into their shop and ran a 24-hour hardware diagnostic program. They then reported back to me that there was no problem with the computer, and that I should try changing resolutions and re-installing any problematic software. Well, I've tried re-installing the games in question, and I've tried playing with lots of resolutions, and the crashing persists.

I looked around this forum, and I saw other people having similar problems who were diagnosed as having power supply issues. This seems plausible, since the shop installed a new power supply alongside the new graphics card, and I noticed that no program can really check on the power supply. I opened up the computer, and found the power supply was an Antec TP-750. I looked at the power requirements of the GeForce GTX 285 and that should be sufficient, and I didn't see anything saying Antec was a terrible brand, but this particular unit could just be a lemon.

Does this sound like the right explanation?

Here are the full specs for the computer, if they give you any hints toward other causes -

Power Supply - Antec TP 750

Rest from Sysspec:

Windows: Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.5512
Memory (RAM): 2046 MB
CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz
CPU Speed: 2397.1 MHz
Sound card: IDT Audio1
Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 | NetMeeting driver | RDPDD Chained DD
Monitors: 1
Screen Resolution: 1680 X 1050 - 32 bit
Network: Network Present
Network Adapters: Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: D: TSSTcorpCD/DVDW SH-S182M | E: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615
COM Ports: COM1
LPT Ports: LPT1
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 463.0GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 60.2GB
USB Controllers: 5 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): 1 host controllers.
PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
Manufacturer: Intel Corp.
Product Make: ps9202B2
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE | 06/20/06 | INTEL - 518
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Battery: No Battery
Motherboard: Intel Corporation D975XBX
Modem: Not detected

Thanks!

09-27-2009, 11:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
Kadorak Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Does this sound like a power supply problem? Hi folks, Although I use computers for a heck of a lot - gaming, writing, coursework - I admit I don't know a darn thing about hardware. I was hoping some of you could help me with a problem I've been having, either by confirming my hunch or offering an alternative explanation. A month ago, my video card fried, so I took my computer into the local store which I bought it from to have this replaced under warranty. They offered to upgrade the video card from the warranty funds, and I agreed, so they installed a new GeForce GTX 285. The tech support crew also told me that my current power supply would be insufficient, so they installed a new one. Well, after taking the computer home, it started exhibiting problems while playing modern 3D games. The computer would randomly crash while playing many games; the frequency varied with the game, but it would be about 10-50 minutes. I can give you a list of games that have crashed if you want. Anyways, the monitor would go black and say "no signal detected". The sound would keep going for a few seconds, then crash too. The only solution was to turn off the computer by holding down the power button. I tried using a different monitor, updating my drivers, and updating DirectX, all to no avail. I sent the computer back into the local store with a note explaining the problem, and they took it into their shop and ran a 24-hour hardware diagnostic program. They then reported back to me that there was no problem with the computer, and that I should try changing resolutions and re-installing any problematic software. Well, I've tried re-installing the games in question, and I've tried playing with lots of resolutions, and the crashing persists. I looked around this forum, and I saw other people having similar problems who were diagnosed as having power supply issues. This seems plausible, since the shop installed a new power supply alongside the new graphics card, and I noticed that no program can really check on the power supply. I opened up the computer, and found the power supply was an Antec TP-750. I looked at the power requirements of the GeForce GTX 285 and that should be sufficient, and I didn't see anything saying Antec was a terrible brand, but this particular unit could just be a lemon. Does this sound like the right explanation? Here are the full specs for the computer, if they give you any hints toward other causes - Power Supply - Antec TP 750 Rest from Sysspec: Windows: Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.5512 Memory (RAM): 2046 MB CPU Info: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6600 @ 2.40GHz CPU Speed: 2397.1 MHz Sound card: IDT Audio1 Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 \| NetMeeting driver \| RDPDD Chained DD Monitors: 1 Screen Resolution: 1680 X 1050 - 32 bit Network: Network Present Network Adapters: Intel(R) PRO/1000 PL Network Connection - Packet Scheduler Miniport CD / DVD Drives: D: TSSTcorpCD/DVDW SH-S182M \| E: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615 COM Ports: COM1 LPT Ports: LPT1 Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present Hard Disks: C: 463.0GB Hard Disks - Free: C: 60.2GB USB Controllers: 5 host controllers. Firewire (1394): 1 host controllers. PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed Manufacturer: Intel Corp. Product Make: ps9202B2 AC Power Status: OnLine BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE \| 06/20/06 \| INTEL - 518 Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Battery: No Battery Motherboard: Intel Corporation D975XBX Modem: Not detected Thanks!