Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security]

kaokong · 10-10-2007, 07:18 AM

Random shut downs is the culprit for my computer.

It all began while I was doing some overnight Adobe Encore's painfully long encoding, and ever since then I have been getting automatic shut downs on almost every boot or whenever I play a game.

Seconds before my computer shut down, I hear an electric like shocking sound coming from my computer. The shocking sound seems to be somewhere near my power supply to my dvd-drive.

My MOBO have a led detector, and it says vga and memory is fine. Just in case, I replug the memory and it is not the problem. So I figure, it could be the massive dust collection, so I try blowing away all the dust from my computer, still doesn't work. So could it be a windows error, I reformated my computer. It's a waste of time because windows is not the problem. I have replugged all my usb wires and it is not the problem as well.

My computer is custom build.
biostar mobo
amd 4400+ dual-core
2gb ram
450 watt rosewill
ati 1600xp 512 vga
74gb wd raptor

can anyone help?

**koala** · 10-10-2007, 07:46 AM

Check all the connectors and cables are firmly in place. Are all the fans spinning?

Try replacing the PSU with a known-working one. Enter your full system specs into this power calculator, and add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency. This will give you a guideline as to the kind of PSU your system needs.

Run SpeedFan to see what temperatures and PSU voltages you get at idle and under stress.

kaokong · 10-10-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koala

Check all the connectors and cables are firmly in place. Are all the fans spinning?

Try replacing the PSU with a known-working one. Enter your full system specs into this power calculator, and add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency. This will give you a guideline as to the kind of PSU your system needs.

Run SpeedFan to see what temperatures and PSU voltages you get at idle and under stress.

power calculator: I got 415 w
Speed Fan: open attach file and tell me if anything is not right. This result is currently Idle.

kaokong · 10-10-2007, 10:51 PM

Ok I am starting to suspect that it is my mobo and psu. I tried installing my usb printer and during the phase one of the installation, I got a shut down. I tried unplugging my case fans, which I thought the shock sounds came from, so I went ahead and continue installing. Yay phase one completed, then it shuts down on phase two.

I hate to say it, but I think I might need to replace my mobo and power supply right?

**speedster123** · 10-11-2007, 07:53 AM

did you add 30% to the total of the power load?

the rosewell is not a quality unit, replacing that first would benefit you , even if it isnt the culprit.

try 1 stick of ram at a time

check for any leaking or bulged caps on the mainboard

make sure the heatsink is installed correctly

kaokong · 10-11-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedster123

did you add 30% to the total of the power load?

the rosewell is not a quality unit, replacing that first would benefit you , even if it isnt the culprit.

try 1 stick of ram at a time

check for any leaking or bulged caps on the mainboard

make sure the heatsink is installed correctly

I already did the ram test you told me, when I first experience this problem. I am just gonna grab a new powersupply to see if this works.

Which power supply would you reconmend?

how do you check for leaks or bulged caps on motherboard?

**koala** · 10-11-2007, 10:28 AM

To check the capacitors, open the case and look on the motherboard for any that are leaking fluid from the top or are bulging in the middle.

Antec True Power Trio 550W $100
Antec NeoPower 550W $100
Silverstone 560W $120

kaokong · 10-11-2007, 11:17 AM

there are no leaks or bulging.

**koala** · 10-11-2007, 11:20 AM

OK, that's good. For a new PSU, look for a good quality brand over 500W. Some examples listed above.

kaokong · 10-11-2007, 11:30 AM

so my mobo is not the problem?

**speedster123** · 10-12-2007, 04:21 AM

yes, but did you add 30% to the calculated load you arrived at with the power calculator. this must be done to compensate for the inefficiency of most power supplies.
this 650 antec trio is $80 after the rebate.. with free shipping [if you live in the states]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001

kaokong · 10-13-2007, 09:33 AM

ok it is definitly my power supply. It seems I have to unplug all my usb, my case fans, and whatever that is in my cd drive, in order to not have any shut downs whenever I try to play a game or boot.

It is strange that it wasn't like that a year ago. I will definitly get that power supply, you found.

10-10-2007, 07:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
kaokong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 9 OS: WIN XP	Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] Random shut downs is the culprit for my computer. It all began while I was doing some overnight Adobe Encore's painfully long encoding, and ever since then I have been getting automatic shut downs on almost every boot or whenever I play a game. Seconds before my computer shut down, I hear an electric like shocking sound coming from my computer. The shocking sound seems to be somewhere near my power supply to my dvd-drive. My MOBO have a led detector, and it says vga and memory is fine. Just in case, I replug the memory and it is not the problem. So I figure, it could be the massive dust collection, so I try blowing away all the dust from my computer, still doesn't work. So could it be a windows error, I reformated my computer. It's a waste of time because windows is not the problem. I have replugged all my usb wires and it is not the problem as well. My computer is custom build. biostar mobo amd 4400+ dual-core 2gb ram 450 watt rosewill ati 1600xp 512 vga 74gb wd raptor can anyone help? Last edited by kaokong; 10-10-2007 at 07:22 AM.

10-10-2007, 07:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,337 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? Check all the connectors and cables are firmly in place. Are all the fans spinning? Try replacing the PSU with a known-working one. Enter your full system specs into this power calculator, and add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency. This will give you a guideline as to the kind of PSU your system needs. Run SpeedFan to see what temperatures and PSU voltages you get at idle and under stress. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

10-10-2007, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
kaokong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 9 OS: WIN XP	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] Ok I am starting to suspect that it is my mobo and psu. I tried installing my usb printer and during the phase one of the installation, I got a shut down. I tried unplugging my case fans, which I thought the shock sounds came from, so I went ahead and continue installing. Yay phase one completed, then it shuts down on phase two. I hate to say it, but I think I might need to replace my mobo and power supply right? Last edited by kaokong; 10-10-2007 at 10:53 PM.

10-11-2007, 07:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,219 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] did you add 30% to the total of the power load? the rosewell is not a quality unit, replacing that first would benefit you , even if it isnt the culprit. try 1 stick of ram at a time check for any leaking or bulged caps on the mainboard make sure the heatsink is installed correctly __________________

10-11-2007, 10:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,337 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] To check the capacitors, open the case and look on the motherboard for any that are leaking fluid from the top or are bulging in the middle. Antec True Power Trio 550W $100 Antec NeoPower 550W $100 Silverstone 560W $120 __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala; 10-11-2007 at 10:47 AM. Reason: typo

10-11-2007, 11:17 AM	#8 (permalink)
kaokong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 9 OS: WIN XP	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] there are no leaks or bulging. Last edited by kaokong; 10-11-2007 at 11:19 AM.

10-11-2007, 11:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,337 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] OK, that's good. For a new PSU, look for a good quality brand over 500W. Some examples listed above. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

10-11-2007, 11:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
kaokong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 9 OS: WIN XP	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] so my mobo is not the problem?

10-12-2007, 04:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,219 OS: xp pro SP3	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] yes, but did you add 30% to the calculated load you arrived at with the power calculator. this must be done to compensate for the inefficiency of most power supplies. this 650 antec trio is $80 after the rebate.. with free shipping [if you live in the states] http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371001 __________________

10-13-2007, 09:33 AM	#12 (permalink)
kaokong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 9 OS: WIN XP	Re: Hardware Error? but which one? [moved from Security] ok it is definitly my power supply. It seems I have to unplug all my usb, my case fans, and whatever that is in my cd drive, in order to not have any shut downs whenever I try to play a game or boot. It is strange that it wasn't like that a year ago. I will definitly get that power supply, you found. Last edited by kaokong; 10-13-2007 at 09:35 AM.