[SOLVED] A Uniquely Puzzling Power Problem

nightterrorsftw · 03-09-2008, 02:39 PM

First, my rough specs:
WINXP
ASUS M2N32-SLI Prem.
AMD 2.4GHz Dual-Core
4 Gigs of Corsair 800MHz DDR2
Massive HDD
Some Uber Ge-Force graphics card

It's important to point out that this was NOT happening before a recent blackout (the one in south Florida - you may have seen it on the news). Before that, the system was working just fine.

But since then, I've had the following problem: It SEEMS to be fairly typical of what I've seen before -- The system powers up and boots for 30-60 sec, cuts off (no beeps/POST). I try again shortly after, and it boots for 4-5 sec; I try again and it boots for about a second if at all.

Looks like a cooling problem right? Well, on multiple boots I've entered BIOS and kept an eye on my hardware monitors. The CPU never breaks 40 degrees. Nor does the mobo. The fans are functioning just fine, and I can't find anything in the red at all.

So I think: It's some mysterious power problem.

I've been running on an Antec 380W, which I originally thought was too light, but until the late tragedy it was floating the rig just fine, so I never thought to replace it. (I've got another one on the way now.)

To confound the matter, the other day I flipped the switch after leaving everything unplugged (the 24 pin, the 4 pin, the PSU) for like a day. Not only did it completely boot, but it sat idling on the desktop for like 4 hours before I finally shut it down, thinking it was now magically working.

Any thoughts on this? I'm especially interested in anything I can try to fix before the new power supply gets here.

Thanks!

2pistolpacker · 03-09-2008, 03:55 PM

Hi nightterrorsftw, if this were my computer, I would not restart it until I got the new power supply. If the PS got surged and is damaged, you take the risk of underpowering and damaging your computers parts. If the surge damaged the motherboard's start circuits and you have an intermittent short, it won't make a difference, either way you'll know when the new PS is installed. Mike

nightterrorsftw · 03-09-2008, 05:10 PM

The new PS was apparently exactly what the doctor ordered, so I'm back in business. Thanks a ton!

03-09-2008, 02:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
nightterrorsftw Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	[SOLVED] A Uniquely Puzzling Power Problem First, my rough specs: WINXP ASUS M2N32-SLI Prem. AMD 2.4GHz Dual-Core 4 Gigs of Corsair 800MHz DDR2 Massive HDD Some Uber Ge-Force graphics card It's important to point out that this was NOT happening before a recent blackout (the one in south Florida - you may have seen it on the news). Before that, the system was working just fine. But since then, I've had the following problem: It SEEMS to be fairly typical of what I've seen before -- The system powers up and boots for 30-60 sec, cuts off (no beeps/POST). I try again shortly after, and it boots for 4-5 sec; I try again and it boots for about a second if at all. Looks like a cooling problem right? Well, on multiple boots I've entered BIOS and kept an eye on my hardware monitors. The CPU never breaks 40 degrees. Nor does the mobo. The fans are functioning just fine, and I can't find anything in the red at all. So I think: It's some mysterious power problem. I've been running on an Antec 380W, which I originally thought was too light, but until the late tragedy it was floating the rig just fine, so I never thought to replace it. (I've got another one on the way now.) To confound the matter, the other day I flipped the switch after leaving everything unplugged (the 24 pin, the 4 pin, the PSU) for like a day. Not only did it completely boot, but it sat idling on the desktop for like 4 hours before I finally shut it down, thinking it was now magically working. Any thoughts on this? I'm especially interested in anything I can try to fix before the new power supply gets here. Thanks!

03-09-2008, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
2pistolpacker Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lenexa, Ks Posts: 1,038 OS: Win XP Pro My System	Re: A Uniquely Puzzling Power Problem Hi nightterrorsftw, if this were my computer, I would not restart it until I got the new power supply. If the PS got surged and is damaged, you take the risk of underpowering and damaging your computers parts. If the surge damaged the motherboard's start circuits and you have an intermittent short, it won't make a difference, either way you'll know when the new PS is installed. Mike __________________ Speak kindly to me, beloved master. Revel in my unconditional love, and give me every minute that you can spare, for my time with you is short. --Your faithful dog

03-09-2008, 05:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
nightterrorsftw Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP	Re: A Uniquely Puzzling Power Problem The new PS was apparently exactly what the doctor ordered, so I'm back in business. Thanks a ton!