silverbullet50

First my system:
350W PSU
GeForce 7800GS
1.5 GB ram (all high performance gaming RAM)
1.8Ghz AMD 64-bit
Geforce K8NSPro Motherboard
M-Audio Revolution 7.1 Surround sound audio card
1 CD drive
1 DVD drive

Now the problem:
System was working fine for about 6 months (after i updated the graphics card) but whenever I would boot windows the windows XP startup that occurs right before the actually blue screen where you log in would be darkened out (ever since I updated the card).

It didn't seem to affect the computer after startup, so I decided to just roll with it.

A couple of weeks ago I went to boot my computer and found the front panel button didn't work, so I checked the power supply to see if it was on, and oddly enough when i flipped the switch the computer booted. It however show anything on my monitor.

When I flip the switch back off my graphics card chirps. I talked to Nvidia Tech support and they said that chirp meant it wasn't getting enough power.

I am wondering if there is anyway to tell if this problem is a graphics card problem, and power supply problem or a motherboard problem without finding another computer to try out my hardware in (graphics card is AGP, no one uses AGP anymore). Thanks sorry the question is a little wordy.

1 g0t 0wn3d

Yeah that thing is gone i would look at a quallity 550 watt like the antec trio 550 watt

2pistolpacker

Hi silverbullet50, the computer should never start itself, so remove the power button wire from the board and flip the power switch on. If it starts, the motherboard has a problem. If it doesn't start, take flat blade screwdriver and short the two pins the power button wires were hooked to. The only way to test the parts, is to install the parts in a known working computer. Swap in a higher output power supply to test the under powered theory. If you could list the power supply make and model number, and the +12v output that is printed in the side of the unit. Mike

You beat me again bro.

1 g0t 0wn3d

You bring up a good point with the power button short, however i think we had someone awhille back that had a power supply that was just hanging on and it started turning on by itself (it could have to do with the blackwire touching the green one in the power supply though)

silverbullet50

Those specs asked for on the power supply are as follows. ATX 12V. Model number- KY-520ATX. Its made by, you guessed it ATX! :)

I wasn't exactly sure what to open up and short I took a look however and the green and black wires to not appear to be shorting.

I know that it could possibly be a power supply motherboard or graphics card problem, and I have found a friend with an AGP graphics card slot that I can try mine in to eliminate that. I disconnected the power button wires completely and the board still turned on with the flip of the PSU switch. But, I don't see how this specifically rules that there is a problem with the board, could the problem still be with the PSU? Is there a foolproof way to test (besides buying an entirely new power supply and installing it)?

If I do have to buy a new Power supply I want to make it one that will power this computer for about 6 more months until I can buy a new computer, which the new power supply would also power. Any suggestions on a supply that would work for both this system and a newly updated nearly top of the line gaming rig?

1 g0t 0wn3d

Try unpluging the cables going to thefron of the case (power button) and fliping the switch

As for the psu question a antec trio 550 watt would run this well and a antec trio 650 watt would run a 8800 and a quad

silverbullet50

Yeah I unplugged the cables going from the power button to the motherboard and flipping the switch in the back and the power supply, motherboard and everything in the computer starts. This means the problem lies with the power supply correct?

1 g0t 0wn3d

yes the motherboard is not telling it to power on