A mix of a few problems.

DarkestFilth · 10-16-2006, 10:04 PM

Hello everyone,

I've just recently found this website, and I'm currently having some problems.

Lately, I've been playing some computer games and they keep on freezing up my computer, and making me have to restart. So I posted on the game's tech support and they got me to look at my Power Supply. It seems that my Power Supply's fan isn't running. And from what I've heard from a few people, the fan not running means that it's shot, and I need to replace it. They also mentioned that it could be damaging my system. I'd like some more opinions on this, and if I truley does need to be replaced. And if this might be why my computer locks up while playing these games.

The thing that's worrying me is that I keep my computer on 24/7 and I just recently noticed that my Power Supply wasn't working correctly. I hope that nothing is damaged.

So any help and opinions on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

chauffeur2 · 10-16-2006, 10:27 PM

Hi DarkestFilth, and Welcome to TSF!

Quote:

Lately, I've been playing some computer games and they keep on freezing up my computer, and making me have to restart. So I posted on the game's tech support and they got me to look at my Power Supply. It seems that my Power Supply's fan isn't running. And from what I've heard from a few people, the fan not running means that it's shot, and I need to replace it. They also mentioned that it could be damaging my system. I'd like some more opinions on this, and if I truley does need to be replaced. And if this might be why my computer locks up while playing these games.

The thing that's worrying me is that I keep my computer on 24/7 and I just recently noticed that my Power Supply wasn't working correctly. I hope that nothing is damaged.

For starters, if your Power Supply Fan is not working; then, I'm sorry to say that it is history, and needs to be replaced.

So first things first; is it possible for you to post the full system specs of your computer here?....To find out the information that we need, please go to the link "Posting System Specs" in my signature, and read the guidelines; then, post back the information.
Important! Please DO NOT start your computer to obtain this information, as we don't want to cause any further damage [if any] to it.
Hopefully you are now on another computer, if not...Please borrow a friend's computer to continue posting, and turn yours OFF!

DarkestFilth · 10-16-2006, 11:14 PM

Ok, well here is the information you requested. Unfortunatley I'm posting this on my computer atm, as I don't really have any other way of doing this atm. But I'm going to shut it off after I post this and try to find another way of getting online tommorow.

* Power Supply – Antec 430W +5V +12V and +3.3V max load 410W
And, I copied this from the Sysspec. I hope this helps.

Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180
Memory (RAM): 1024 MB
CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz
CPU Speed: 2367.4 MHz
Sound card: Creative SB Audigy LS
Display Adapters: RADEON 9800 PRO | RADEON 9800 PRO - Secondary | NetMeeting driver | RDPDD Chained DD
Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit
:
Network Adapters: Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4) - Packet Scheduler Miniport
CD / DVD Drives: E: SONY CD-RW CRX320E | F: LITE-ON LTR-24102B
:
COM Ports: COM1
LPT Ports: LPT1
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 18.6GB | D: 114.5GB
Hard Disks - Free: C: 1.8GB | D: 79.7GB
USB Controllers: 2 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): Not Detected
:
Manufacturer: Award Software, Inc.
Product Make: System Name
:
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: ATAT COMPATIBLE 070903 ASUS 42302e31
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Battery: No Battery
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4S800
Modem: Not detected

chauffeur2 · 10-16-2006, 11:26 PM

DarkestFilth,

Thanks for the info....

Can you get me the system temperatures please?

DarkestFilth · 10-17-2006, 05:18 PM

I'm not sure if I can. I turned my computer off last night, and you told me not to turn it on again untill the PS is replaced.

chauffeur2 · 10-17-2006, 06:27 PM

Not a Problem

Tumbleweed36 · 10-17-2006, 07:21 PM

Hi,

Just a quick note; There are some power supplies that have TWO fans in them. One works all the time and the other one only works when the temps in the case get very hot. I own an Antec 450 which has that feature and the second fan rarely comes on since my at-rest temps are 29c and the rig (spare computer) doesn't heat up much even under severe stress. Therefore, you need to consider that one as you evaluate your situation.

I do concur that this scenario is unlikely with your symptoms being what they are. It is simply not worth the risk, you need to try another power supply.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 11:04 AM

Well, where would the second fan be located? I know that the fan that sticks out in the back of the computer isn't running. Not really sure if my PS does have 2 fans or not. But, either way I'm hopefully picking up a new one today at some point. I'm going to install it, and let you know here. Hopefully then there might be some kind of tests that I can do to make sure that none of my other hardware was damaged.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 05:36 PM

Ok, well time to update my situation. I've just recently switched the Power Supply with the new one that I just purchased. My old one DID have 2 fans on it, so I'm not completley sure if it was really needed to replace it or not. But either way, I've got a new one in there.

It's an 500 Watt Antec Smartpower 2.0 ATX 12V v2.0

Everything on it seems to be running ok. It also has 2 fans. From what I read from the manual the fan on the inside of the case is supposed to always be running (and it was), and the one facing out the case in the back only supposed to run when it gets hot. So it wasn't running when I first turned on the computer, but it is running as I write this now.

So now I'd like to find out if anything in my computer got damaged (if that's possible), and should I still post my temperatures? And how would I go about doing that?

Also, I'm going to attempt to play some of the games I've been having problems with before, and see if this new PS fixed the problem, but If I'm continuing to have a problem with that, I'll let you guys know.

Tumbleweed36 · 10-18-2006, 05:48 PM

Hi,

Give it a test run and download the Sensorview program under my signature and post what it says for temps. If you are continuing to have problems, please be very specific about when, how, and what it does for you. Good luck on the test drive.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 06:13 PM

Ok, for my temperatures:

CPU: 32 C
SYS: 27 C
HD0: 25 C

chauffeur2 · 10-18-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkestFilth

Ok, for my temperatures:

CPU: 32 C
SYS: 27 C
HD0: 25 C

Good Morning [from Australia] DarkestFilth,
Those temperatures are good.

When did you take them, at start-up or after the system had been running for a while?
Is the computer showing any signs of malfunction at all now?

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 06:43 PM

I took the temperatures after I've been running the PC for about 30 minutes. I hadn't played any games yet. But as we're on the subject of games, the game that I was having the most problems with. I tried playing that game, and it ran fine for about 20 minutes, then once again like before my computer froze and I had to reboot.

So that doesn't make me feel that good, since I just got a new PS and I'm still having the same problem.

As far as my computer on a whole, when I'm not playing games seems to be fine.

Any suggestions?

Tumbleweed36 · 10-18-2006, 06:48 PM

Hi,

Talk to us about your case cooling. What fans do you have in your case....like where are they located, and which direction are they blowing? Please list all of them you have. We are assuming that your heatsink fan is blowing down, is this correct?

Do you have artic silver betweeen the CPU and the heatsink or the factory thermal pad?

Post back with questions/concerns.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 07:31 PM

Alright, to better explain this I drew a simple diagram in Paint. (hopefully I can post pictures here)

Fan 1 + 2: These are located on the back of my computer, facing towards the front.

Fan 3: This fan is located on the side of my case, facing towards my mobo and other hardware.

I'm not quite sure if my heatsink is facing down, since my mobo is on it's side, wouldn't the heatsink be blowing towards the direction of fan 3?

Anyways, as far as the CPU. I'm pretty positive that it has the factory thermal pad.

Tumbleweed36 · 10-18-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkestFilth

Alright, to better explain this I drew a simple diagram in Paint. (hopefully I can post pictures here)

Fan 1 + 2: These are located on the back of my computer, facing towards the front.

Fan 3: This fan is located on the side of my case, facing towards my mobo and other hardware.

I'm not quite sure if my heatsink is facing down, since my mobo is on it's side, wouldn't the heatsink be blowing towards the direction of fan 3?

Anyways, as far as the CPU. I'm pretty positive that it has the factory thermal pad.

Hi,

Aha, a very serious fan placement problem. The back fans need to be pulling warm air OUT OF THE CASE. The side fan is fine. You change the direction of those fans in back and you will see a BIG difference.

Optimum placement means all fans in the back of the computer will pull warm air out of the case and blow it out the back of the case.

A front case fan will pull in cool air and I highly recommend using one of those.

A side case fan will pull cool air in and blow it toward the board.

A top case fan (if any) will pull hot air out of the case and blow it up out of the case.

The heatsink fan needs to be blowing down.

You need to change those and it will make a difference. I actually think you will be very pleased at the difference.

Post back when done.

chauffeur2 · 10-18-2006, 07:48 PM

Good pick Tumbles.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 08:06 PM

Ok, I might have explained that wrong. The 2 fans in the back ARE blowing air out the fan. As for the heatsink, I looked at it and I don't see any way to make the fan blow down. Unless you're saying for the fan to blow down at the motherboard and the CPU. In that case, yes the fan is blowing down towards the CPU under it.

Tumbleweed36 · 10-18-2006, 08:24 PM

Hi,

Here is the way I see it. If the rear fans are PULLING warm air out of the case and expelling it through the back, then that is O.K. You need to get a fan in front of that case....and, I guess you might want to change the Thermal Solution between your Heatsink and CPU.

Maybe one of the other guys on our Hardware team might have another comment or so, and look forward to that. Hope that some other suggestions might be given.

Thought of another one....make sure the ribbon cables are NOT blocking air flow in the case.

Post back and we will see what other Hardware team members have to say about this problem.

DarkestFilth · 10-18-2006, 09:48 PM

Ok, I checked the fans in the back and they are blowing air out of the computer. I might try to invest in another fan if I can afford it. Also, I tried another game (supprisngly from the same company) and I was able to play for a few hours. But then I decided to go afk, came back 30 minutes later and it froze on me. Another idea, not sure if it really would be the cause of any of this but I recently re-installed Windows and before most games I played never froze up on me like they do now. Except that one game I've been having issues with.

Thanks again for everyone's help with my problem thus far. I really appreciate it.

10-16-2006, 10:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	A mix of a few problems. Hello everyone, I've just recently found this website, and I'm currently having some problems. Lately, I've been playing some computer games and they keep on freezing up my computer, and making me have to restart. So I posted on the game's tech support and they got me to look at my Power Supply. It seems that my Power Supply's fan isn't running. And from what I've heard from a few people, the fan not running means that it's shot, and I need to replace it. They also mentioned that it could be damaging my system. I'd like some more opinions on this, and if I truley does need to be replaced. And if this might be why my computer locks up while playing these games. The thing that's worrying me is that I keep my computer on 24/7 and I just recently noticed that my Power Supply wasn't working correctly. I hope that nothing is damaged. So any help and opinions on my situation would be greatly appreciated.

10-16-2006, 11:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	DarkestFilth, Thanks for the info.... Can you get me the system temperatures please? __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

10-17-2006, 06:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Not a Problem __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

10-17-2006, 07:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Just a quick note; There are some power supplies that have TWO fans in them. One works all the time and the other one only works when the temps in the case get very hot. I own an Antec 450 which has that feature and the second fan rarely comes on since my at-rest temps are 29c and the rig (spare computer) doesn't heat up much even under severe stress. Therefore, you need to consider that one as you evaluate your situation. I do concur that this scenario is unlikely with your symptoms being what they are. It is simply not worth the risk, you need to try another power supply. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-18-2006, 05:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Give it a test run and download the Sensorview program under my signature and post what it says for temps. If you are continuing to have problems, please be very specific about when, how, and what it does for you. Good luck on the test drive. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-16-2006, 11:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Ok, well here is the information you requested. Unfortunatley I'm posting this on my computer atm, as I don't really have any other way of doing this atm. But I'm going to shut it off after I post this and try to find another way of getting online tommorow. * Power Supply – Antec 430W +5V +12V and +3.3V max load 410W And, I copied this from the Sysspec. I hope this helps. Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180 Memory (RAM): 1024 MB CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz CPU Speed: 2367.4 MHz Sound card: Creative SB Audigy LS Display Adapters: RADEON 9800 PRO \| RADEON 9800 PRO - Secondary \| NetMeeting driver \| RDPDD Chained DD Screen Resolution: 1024 X 768 - 32 bit : Network Adapters: Linksys LNE100TX Fast Ethernet Adapter(LNE100TX v4) - Packet Scheduler Miniport CD / DVD Drives: E: SONY CD-RW CRX320E \| F: LITE-ON LTR-24102B : COM Ports: COM1 LPT Ports: LPT1 Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present Hard Disks: C: 18.6GB \| D: 114.5GB Hard Disks - Free: C: 1.8GB \| D: 79.7GB USB Controllers: 2 host controllers. Firewire (1394): Not Detected : Manufacturer: Award Software, Inc. Product Make: System Name : AC Power Status: OnLine BIOS Info: ATAT COMPATIBLE 070903 ASUS 42302e31 Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Battery: No Battery Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P4S800 Modem: Not detected

10-17-2006, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	I'm not sure if I can. I turned my computer off last night, and you told me not to turn it on again untill the PS is replaced.

10-18-2006, 11:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Well, where would the second fan be located? I know that the fan that sticks out in the back of the computer isn't running. Not really sure if my PS does have 2 fans or not. But, either way I'm hopefully picking up a new one today at some point. I'm going to install it, and let you know here. Hopefully then there might be some kind of tests that I can do to make sure that none of my other hardware was damaged.

10-18-2006, 05:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Ok, well time to update my situation. I've just recently switched the Power Supply with the new one that I just purchased. My old one DID have 2 fans on it, so I'm not completley sure if it was really needed to replace it or not. But either way, I've got a new one in there. It's an 500 Watt Antec Smartpower 2.0 ATX 12V v2.0 Everything on it seems to be running ok. It also has 2 fans. From what I read from the manual the fan on the inside of the case is supposed to always be running (and it was), and the one facing out the case in the back only supposed to run when it gets hot. So it wasn't running when I first turned on the computer, but it is running as I write this now. So now I'd like to find out if anything in my computer got damaged (if that's possible), and should I still post my temperatures? And how would I go about doing that? Also, I'm going to attempt to play some of the games I've been having problems with before, and see if this new PS fixed the problem, but If I'm continuing to have a problem with that, I'll let you guys know.

10-18-2006, 06:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Ok, for my temperatures: CPU: 32 C SYS: 27 C HD0: 25 C

10-18-2006, 06:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	I took the temperatures after I've been running the PC for about 30 minutes. I hadn't played any games yet. But as we're on the subject of games, the game that I was having the most problems with. I tried playing that game, and it ran fine for about 20 minutes, then once again like before my computer froze and I had to reboot. So that doesn't make me feel that good, since I just got a new PS and I'm still having the same problem. As far as my computer on a whole, when I'm not playing games seems to be fine. Any suggestions?

10-18-2006, 06:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Talk to us about your case cooling. What fans do you have in your case....like where are they located, and which direction are they blowing? Please list all of them you have. We are assuming that your heatsink fan is blowing down, is this correct? Do you have artic silver betweeen the CPU and the heatsink or the factory thermal pad? Post back with questions/concerns. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-18-2006, 07:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Alright, to better explain this I drew a simple diagram in Paint. (hopefully I can post pictures here) Fan 1 + 2: These are located on the back of my computer, facing towards the front. Fan 3: This fan is located on the side of my case, facing towards my mobo and other hardware. I'm not quite sure if my heatsink is facing down, since my mobo is on it's side, wouldn't the heatsink be blowing towards the direction of fan 3? Anyways, as far as the CPU. I'm pretty positive that it has the factory thermal pad.

10-18-2006, 07:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Good pick Tumbles. __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

10-18-2006, 08:06 PM	#18 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Ok, I might have explained that wrong. The 2 fans in the back ARE blowing air out the fan. As for the heatsink, I looked at it and I don't see any way to make the fan blow down. Unless you're saying for the fan to blow down at the motherboard and the CPU. In that case, yes the fan is blowing down towards the CPU under it.

10-18-2006, 08:24 PM	#19 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Here is the way I see it. If the rear fans are PULLING warm air out of the case and expelling it through the back, then that is O.K. You need to get a fan in front of that case....and, I guess you might want to change the Thermal Solution between your Heatsink and CPU. Maybe one of the other guys on our Hardware team might have another comment or so, and look forward to that. Hope that some other suggestions might be given. Thought of another one....make sure the ribbon cables are NOT blocking air flow in the case. Post back and we will see what other Hardware team members have to say about this problem. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-18-2006, 09:48 PM	#20 (permalink)
DarkestFilth Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: WinXP	Ok, I checked the fans in the back and they are blowing air out of the computer. I might try to invest in another fan if I can afford it. Also, I tried another game (supprisngly from the same company) and I was able to play for a few hours. But then I decided to go afk, came back 30 minutes later and it froze on me. Another idea, not sure if it really would be the cause of any of this but I recently re-installed Windows and before most games I played never froze up on me like they do now. Except that one game I've been having issues with. Thanks again for everyone's help with my problem thus far. I really appreciate it.