PC only lasts 30 seconds.... [RESOLVED]

PCfX2K · 05-07-2007, 03:39 AM

Howdy....
I got this problem with my new PC... I just built it around 3 months ago and it was all working great with my 20gb hard drive. Now I tried to install the new 80GB hdd and the thing willl only stay running for 30 seconds or so...
No matter what screen I am on, what time, temperature or hardware I got installed it will just switch off with no warning

The 80GB doesnt even have windows on it, its just blank.
I think my PSU is screwed, even though its only 3 months old

Specs:
AsRock 775Dual-915GL
3.2Ghz Pentium 4 (HT)
400W USICASE ATX PSU
1GB RAM
ATI Raedon 9200SE 128mb... PCI (not PCI-e) (Its bad, but better than the inbuilt)
Pioneer DVD-RW

So weather I am in the BIOS, trying to install MCE or just sitting with 'invalid boot media' error, it wont work, not without the video card, with my old 20gb hdd.... Im stuck

Thanks
Mitch

95five-0 · 05-07-2007, 06:10 AM

It could be the PSU. You may also want to check your jumpers. You may have knocked something loose while installing you new HDD.

PCfX2K · 05-08-2007, 11:29 PM

Jumpers are all good, I will take the PSU back and swap it for a new one (still under warranty :mrgreen:
Thx for the reply

**Kalim** · 05-09-2007, 03:50 AM

If it switches off like that, it could very likely be temperature: overheating.

Check your CPU temperature in BIOS at bootup. What CPU/HSF do you have and did you apply any thermal paste? The Pentiums heat up a lot and require good cooling. You may have a setting enabled in the BIOS that switches the system off when reaching a certain temperature.

poppers1957 · 05-09-2007, 04:02 AM

one time I was kinda dumb. (Well it has been way more than one time) I was working on someones computer and switched out a HDD. after I put it back together, it started over heating. I had moved the ribbon cable in such a way as to interfere with the CPU fan blades. It took a few minutes to figure it out, because when I would remove the side panel it would move the cable out of the way. Check the fan, it may have come unplugged too, while you were in there.

**speedster123** · 05-09-2007, 08:31 AM

Is it a sata hard drive you installed?
You are depending on a $39 power supply, to insure the integrity of your system. Upgrade to a little better unit.

PCfX2K · 05-10-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalim

If it switches off like that, it could very likely be temperature: overheating.

Check your CPU temperature in BIOS at bootup. What CPU/HSF do you have and did you apply any thermal paste? The Pentiums heat up a lot and require good cooling. You may have a setting enabled in the BIOS that switches the system off when reaching a certain temperature.

That isnt the problem, its only on 40C, I have the side off with a 40cm pedistal fan cooling it down

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppers1957

one time I was kinda dumb. (Well it has been way more than one time) I was working on someones computer and switched out a HDD. after I put it back together, it started over heating. I had moved the ribbon cable in such a way as to interfere with the CPU fan blades. It took a few minutes to figure it out, because when I would remove the side panel it would move the cable out of the way. Check the fan, it may have come unplugged too, while you were in there.

Nope, thats not the problem... The fan works, and I got my big one too

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedster123

Is it a sata hard drive you installed?
You are depending on a $39 power supply, to insure the integrity of your system. Upgrade to a little better unit.

No, just an IDE hdd, and I know I should get a better one, but I dont have enough money right now

**Kalim** · 05-11-2007, 12:22 AM

Instant shutdowns are usually two case nuts:

CPU temps
PSU problems

The first, won't be 40C under full load for a P4. Only during a cold startup, not even loaded.

The second looks to be the likely problem here. That's like a 120W 40% efficient box of electronics you have there. PFC is probably non-existent, ripple is probably 5 times higher than stipulated and voltages are most likely frenetically fluctuating outside allowance, with cross loading issues. You will probably end up killing your CPU, MB, HDD and RAM with that.

That's why we warn users when we say "it powers everything and has to be top quality for decent system functioning".

PCfX2K · 05-12-2007, 05:37 PM

Fixed! Took the PSU back and exchanged it for a new one, and now its all good!
Running better than ever. Thanks for the help people

**Kalim** · 05-13-2007, 01:41 PM

Good to know and you're welcome.

Out of curiosity, which PSU did you exchange it with?

PCfX2K · 05-13-2007, 06:47 PM

I exchanged it with a 460W Xsonic... Still cheap, but it was free, and it works...

**speedster123** · 05-14-2007, 08:33 AM

Good fix
Just watch your temps and voltages, if the voltages start fluctuating, get a better unit.

05-07-2007, 03:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
PCfX2K Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 7 OS: XP Media Center 2K5 My System	PC only lasts 30 seconds.... [RESOLVED] Howdy.... I got this problem with my new PC... I just built it around 3 months ago and it was all working great with my 20gb hard drive. Now I tried to install the new 80GB hdd and the thing willl only stay running for 30 seconds or so... No matter what screen I am on, what time, temperature or hardware I got installed it will just switch off with no warning The 80GB doesnt even have windows on it, its just blank. I think my PSU is screwed, even though its only 3 months old Specs: AsRock 775Dual-915GL 3.2Ghz Pentium 4 (HT) 400W USICASE ATX PSU 1GB RAM ATI Raedon 9200SE 128mb... PCI (not PCI-e) (Its bad, but better than the inbuilt) Pioneer DVD-RW So weather I am in the BIOS, trying to install MCE or just sitting with 'invalid boot media' error, it wont work, not without the video card, with my old 20gb hdd.... Im stuck Thanks Mitch Last edited by PCfX2K : 05-07-2007 at 03:41 AM.

05-07-2007, 06:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
95five-0 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Corinth, TX Posts: 1,338 OS: 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... It could be the PSU. You may also want to check your jumpers. You may have knocked something loose while installing you new HDD. __________________ "If it's really a supercomputer, how come the bullets don't bounce off when I shoot it ?" <<PC Pitstop>><< AVG Free>><<Spybot>><<Everest 2.0>><<Trend Micro House Call>><<HijackThis How-to>>

05-08-2007, 11:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
PCfX2K Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 7 OS: XP Media Center 2K5 My System	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Jumpers are all good, I will take the PSU back and swap it for a new one (still under warranty :mrgreen: Thx for the reply

05-09-2007, 03:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... If it switches off like that, it could very likely be temperature: overheating. Check your CPU temperature in BIOS at bootup. What CPU/HSF do you have and did you apply any thermal paste? The Pentiums heat up a lot and require good cooling. You may have a setting enabled in the BIOS that switches the system off when reaching a certain temperature.

05-09-2007, 04:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
poppers1957 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21 OS: ubuntu 7.04	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... one time I was kinda dumb. (Well it has been way more than one time) I was working on someones computer and switched out a HDD. after I put it back together, it started over heating. I had moved the ribbon cable in such a way as to interfere with the CPU fan blades. It took a few minutes to figure it out, because when I would remove the side panel it would move the cable out of the way. Check the fan, it may have come unplugged too, while you were in there. __________________ Freedom is the ability to have, or not have, what you want, without letting it close your heart and mind.

05-09-2007, 08:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Is it a sata hard drive you installed? You are depending on a $39 power supply, to insure the integrity of your system. Upgrade to a little better unit. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test Last edited by speedster123 : 05-09-2007 at 08:38 AM.

05-11-2007, 12:22 AM	#8 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Instant shutdowns are usually two case nuts: CPU temps PSU problems The first, won't be 40C under full load for a P4. Only during a cold startup, not even loaded. The second looks to be the likely problem here. That's like a 120W 40% efficient box of electronics you have there. PFC is probably non-existent, ripple is probably 5 times higher than stipulated and voltages are most likely frenetically fluctuating outside allowance, with cross loading issues. You will probably end up killing your CPU, MB, HDD and RAM with that. That's why we warn users when we say "it powers everything and has to be top quality for decent system functioning".

05-12-2007, 05:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
PCfX2K Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 7 OS: XP Media Center 2K5 My System	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Fixed! Took the PSU back and exchanged it for a new one, and now its all good! Running better than ever. Thanks for the help people

05-13-2007, 01:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kalim Roaming To Help Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,609 OS: Many	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Good to know and you're welcome. Out of curiosity, which PSU did you exchange it with?

05-13-2007, 06:47 PM	#11 (permalink)
PCfX2K Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 7 OS: XP Media Center 2K5 My System	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... I exchanged it with a 460W Xsonic... Still cheap, but it was free, and it works...

05-14-2007, 08:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: PC only lasts 30 seconds.... Good fix Just watch your temps and voltages, if the voltages start fluctuating, get a better unit. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test