PS? or USB?

da_bomb1486 · 04-09-2008, 11:41 AM

Hey guys, I'm new on here and just would like some help, I know computer decent enough to build my own computer blah blah, Not the smartest guy in the world but know enough to keep my computer working.

Anyways, I have a gateway machine GT5428 model, I upgraded the ram, video drives and stuff.

Pentium D 935 3.2ghz Dual Core
2GB DDR2 ram Kingston
Geforce 8600GT PCI-E X16
1 Sata 250gb HD and 1 IDE 200gb
and thats bout it no need for more.

My question is I just bought a 500gb USB 2.0 external HD and It turns off every couple minutes or so, NOT shut off from power but the USB port. I was wondering if this is a power supply problem wher the PSU cant handle all the things I have hooked up or is this a USB problem?

I have a stock 300watt power supply that gateway stuck in there, should i upgrade the PSU or maybe get a PCI USB hub (a local PC store told me it might help?)

But before i buy the USB hub I would like and extra opinion. Any help appreciated!!

Thanks alot!

oldmn · 04-09-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da_bomb1486

Hey guys, I'm new on here and just would like some help, I know computer decent enough to build my own computer blah blah, Not the smartest guy in the world but know enough to keep my computer working.

Anyways, I have a gateway machine GT5428 model, I upgraded the ram, video drives and stuff.

Pentium D 935 3.2ghz Dual Core
2GB DDR2 ram Kingston
Geforce 8600GT PCI-E X16
1 Sata 250gb HD and 1 IDE 200gb
and thats bout it no need for more.

My question is I just bought a 500gb USB 2.0 external HD and It turns off every couple minutes or so, NOT shut off from power but the USB port. I was wondering if this is a power supply problem wher the PSU cant handle all the things I have hooked up or is this a USB problem?

I have a stock 300watt power supply that gateway stuck in there, should i upgrade the PSU or maybe get a PCI USB hub (a local PC store told me it might help?)
I would definitely replace the PSU
But before i buy the USB hub I would like and extra opinion. Any help appreciated!!
An external power hub be an option.Thanks alot!

Also check your power settings in your control panel and see if the HDD is set to power down after a few minutes

**manic** · 04-09-2008, 11:59 AM

As mentioned,,way underpowered...

da_bomb1486 · 04-09-2008, 12:00 PM

Ok, well this might sound dumb, but where would i check that in the control panel?

Thanks for the reply

oldmn · 04-09-2008, 12:06 PM

Go to start in the menu there will be Control Panel then select power options to power schemes.

da_bomb1486 · 04-09-2008, 12:25 PM

Well nothing there about it, just the power stuff, max battery, low profile, stuff like that.

Even if it was that it, the HD turns on and off diff. time frames, sometimes couple minutes sometimes 10-20 minutes, so its probably the PSU.

Thanks alot for the quick reply!
So would 500watt PSU be good? I dont think I will upgrade the video card to bigger in this thing, maybe later on when i build my own.

THanks

oldmn · 04-09-2008, 12:33 PM

Here is some info on PSU
Power Supply Information and Selection

04-09-2008, 11:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
da_bomb1486 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP sp2	PS? or USB? Hey guys, I'm new on here and just would like some help, I know computer decent enough to build my own computer blah blah, Not the smartest guy in the world but know enough to keep my computer working. Anyways, I have a gateway machine GT5428 model, I upgraded the ram, video drives and stuff. Pentium D 935 3.2ghz Dual Core 2GB DDR2 ram Kingston Geforce 8600GT PCI-E X16 1 Sata 250gb HD and 1 IDE 200gb and thats bout it no need for more. My question is I just bought a 500gb USB 2.0 external HD and It turns off every couple minutes or so, NOT shut off from power but the USB port. I was wondering if this is a power supply problem wher the PSU cant handle all the things I have hooked up or is this a USB problem? I have a stock 300watt power supply that gateway stuck in there, should i upgrade the PSU or maybe get a PCI USB hub (a local PC store told me it might help?) But before i buy the USB hub I would like and extra opinion. Any help appreciated!! Thanks alot!

04-09-2008, 11:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,741 OS: xp	Re: PS? or USB? As mentioned,,way underpowered... __________________

04-09-2008, 12:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
da_bomb1486 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP sp2	Re: PS? or USB? Ok, well this might sound dumb, but where would i check that in the control panel? Thanks for the reply

04-09-2008, 12:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
oldmn Hardware Tech Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gig Harbor Wa Posts: 2,137 OS: XP Pro SP3 X 3 My System	Re: PS? or USB? Go to start in the menu there will be Control Panel then select power options to power schemes. __________________ AVG \| MEMTEST86 \| Zone Alarm \| XXCLONE \| Adaware \| Beyond Compare \| Everest If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Sorry no PM's for problems.

04-09-2008, 12:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
da_bomb1486 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP sp2	Re: PS? or USB? Well nothing there about it, just the power stuff, max battery, low profile, stuff like that. Even if it was that it, the HD turns on and off diff. time frames, sometimes couple minutes sometimes 10-20 minutes, so its probably the PSU. Thanks alot for the quick reply! So would 500watt PSU be good? I dont think I will upgrade the video card to bigger in this thing, maybe later on when i build my own. THanks

04-09-2008, 12:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
oldmn Hardware Tech Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gig Harbor Wa Posts: 2,137 OS: XP Pro SP3 X 3 My System	Re: PS? or USB? Here is some info on PSU Power Supply Information and Selection __________________ AVG \| MEMTEST86 \| Zone Alarm \| XXCLONE \| Adaware \| Beyond Compare \| Everest If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Sorry no PM's for problems.