Tfarcraw

Hi guys, I think I've narrowed the problem down but I was hoping to get some additional input. I'm experiencing problems similar to some that I've read about.

First, the specs of the "working" rig:

P4 3.2E (1mb cache, 800 bus)
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe revision 2.00
1024mb ram Infineon, 2x512 sticks (dunno the cas or anything but I'm sure I could find out)
Asus Geforce4 4200ti (can't recall model atm)
Soundblaste Audigy 2
Sony DVD drive
LG DVD-RW
160gb Seagate SATA HDD
Enlight 450w power supply

Now, this system was the easiest build I've done to date and everything went together with almost no problems. The biggest problem I actually had was getting the side of the tower open as the clips were too tight lol. So the system was been working incredibly well since November of 2004 until now...

I decided to finally upgrade my video card as the 4200ti was the only thing I hadn't upgraded when building the system and I grabbed a BFG 6600GT OC and slapped it into this system a few days ago now. System came up, drivers installed fine and I played some BF2 for a while with no problems. I finished toying around and was playing Rome: Total War (not exactly graphics intensive) when the system suddenly froze and I couldn't alt-ctrl-del, alt-esc, alt-f4... nothing so I just powered the sys down and left as I had other stuff to do anyway. I came back later and when I turned the system on all the drives and fans powered up but I got no signal to the monitor (stayed in powersave mode) and no post. Didn't even get any beeps or voice. I tossed my 4200ti back in the system and it boots up no prob. Tested the 6600 in this system again and another system and neither system even gets to post so I figured the card died and RMA'd it.

So, having decided the card was essentially a DOA I decided to make sure all my various drivers were up to date as I was tinkering with the PC anyway (probably the wrong order to do things in I admit) and I updated my BIOS to the most recent version (1023 I belive) using the latest ASUS update tool. Well, now I'm having problems booting up and the system either fails to post (with the 4200ti in it) or I get the infamous "Overclocking failed" message (no voice) with a choice of F1 to enter set-up or F2 to load defaults. If I F1 I go into set-up and regardless of whether I make changes or not when I exit everytime on the reboot the system fails to post. If I F2 the system boots fine and I can fart around to my heart's content.

My thoughts are that based upon all that I've read and whatnot it would appear that my powersupply wasn't enough and the the extra load basically pushed it over the edge. I don't have another powersupply at hand that I can test with (I should probably check to see if the 350w in my old AMD has the correct connections but I'm doubting it). I only have the ram in the AMD system to test with (assuming it'll work too) and thanks to NCIX and cross-shipping I have my assumed DOA 6600GT, a brand spankin' new still in the shrink wrap 6600GT and my old GF4 4200ti (in the system right now).

I was hoping I could pick your brains a bit and see if I'm on the right track here or if I've potentially screwed something else up...

Andrew S.

Did you plug in a power lead from the 6600 to the psu?

linderman

Well I would definetly restore my bios tot he version you were running !! until you get everything put back together and stable then mess with those / I dont think you can (not reccommended) use ez-flash on a bios released after 1019 ?? I would stay with the afudos method and DRD flash (www.bootdisk.com ~~ second item on page ~~ prepares floppy disk then you add most recent afudos utility off asus website and bios files to the prepared floppy)

I personally would be shopping for a PSU / antec or eneramax of about 450 watt -500 watt

let us know how you progress

regards

joe

Tfarcraw

Yes.

Thank you for the link and advice. Unfortunately I'm working all day so I can't try this until I get home. The last working version of the bios I had was 1018 (I'm going to use the afudos method regardless though). As for the power supply, yeah... I'm shopping for one and even if it turns out that the ps wasn't the problem some extra breathing space would be nice. I checked out that site that has the power supply calc. ( http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_sup....php?cmd=INTEL ) and with as close a config to mine as I can get, it's saying I'm at something like 346w as the recommended min. So, based on your suggestion I'm assuming Antec or Enermax are among the more reliable brands? I've only ever used a generic ps and up to now have ignored the importance of a good supply.

Thanks for the help.

linderman

Well I give you credit / at least you did your research with an open mind !!

The PSU calculator is an awesome tool dont forget to add 30% to the actual power needed to run your system / thats a tru figure for any thing electrical !! Electircal devices do not perform well when run at their max !!

Yes the two best PSU makers are Antec & Enermax / expect to pay about $100.00 for a quality PSU look in newegg.com

after you get the system stable then I would suggest messin around with a bios update / the nice part about the afudos method is you can back-up your old bios from within the utility / then if you dont like the new version just reflash to the old one !!!

regards

joe