Random system crashes - help?

saminal · 07-18-2007, 08:25 AM

Hi, this is my first post here.

I have a system I've built myself, and recently haven't been able to spend the money necessary on upgrading and repairing, so it's beginning to show its age.

Occasionally (daily, now) it reboots and on post, fails to detect my master HDD. The only thing that fixes this is taking the side off and making sure the IDE and Molex connectors are pushed in firmly. Is it just a loose connection or could something else be causing these crashes? I have a suspicion that the PSU could be insufficient but it's only started recently. I can't afford to buy things in the hope that they'll work.. I can't even really afford to buy things if I'm certain but I'm sure parents could be milked in the event of a necessity.

Any opinions are very welcome, thanks :)

> Sam

MaverickUK · 07-18-2007, 08:53 AM

Hi,

If you have another IDE cable, try that.

saminal · 07-18-2007, 11:54 AM

Thanks, I'll try get one from work on Saturday and let you know.

dai · 07-18-2007, 12:26 PM

make sure they are 80 wire

saminal · 07-18-2007, 12:34 PM

How many types are there? Cos when I installed the most recent hard drive I thought I got the best type (flat, not rounded, but hey, i don't have a huge cooling problem) but I am also fairly certain they were 66 or something? I'll see what the boss says.

dai · 07-18-2007, 01:03 PM

80 wire have
blue
grey
black plugs

07-18-2007, 08:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
saminal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 31 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Random system crashes - help? Hi, this is my first post here. I have a system I've built myself, and recently haven't been able to spend the money necessary on upgrading and repairing, so it's beginning to show its age. Occasionally (daily, now) it reboots and on post, fails to detect my master HDD. The only thing that fixes this is taking the side off and making sure the IDE and Molex connectors are pushed in firmly. Is it just a loose connection or could something else be causing these crashes? I have a suspicion that the PSU could be insufficient but it's only started recently. I can't afford to buy things in the hope that they'll work.. I can't even really afford to buy things if I'm certain but I'm sure parents could be milked in the event of a necessity. Any opinions are very welcome, thanks :) > Sam

07-18-2007, 08:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
MaverickUK Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cheshire, England. Posts: 763 OS: XP Home My System	Re: Random system crashes - help? Hi, If you have another IDE cable, try that. __________________ Currently studying: CompTIA A+ CompTIA N+ Cisco Certified Network Associate

07-18-2007, 11:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
saminal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 31 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: Random system crashes - help? Thanks, I'll try get one from work on Saturday and let you know.

07-18-2007, 12:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 53,599 OS: vista 32x 64x ultimate retail	Re: Random system crashes - help? make sure they are 80 wire __________________

07-18-2007, 12:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
saminal Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Suffolk, UK Posts: 31 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: Random system crashes - help? How many types are there? Cos when I installed the most recent hard drive I thought I got the best type (flat, not rounded, but hey, i don't have a huge cooling problem) but I am also fairly certain they were 66 or something? I'll see what the boss says.

07-18-2007, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 53,599 OS: vista 32x 64x ultimate retail	Re: Random system crashes - help? 80 wire have blue grey black plugs __________________