[SOLVED] Could this be a faulty PSU?

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 02:58 PM

I have recently been experiencing random crashes. It crashes most frequently if I try to play a game for more than 5-10 mins.

When it crashes, half the time the screen goes blank and I can still hear my computer fans running. The other half of the time the computer just shuts down completely.

When it shuts down, the power light keeps blinking. If I try to turn the computer back on nothing happens. To get it to turn on I have to unplug the power cord from the psu, wait a second, then plug it back in.

Sometimes when I try to start it up again, the only thing that turns on are the case fans. Other times when I turn it on I get a no keyboard error even though a keyboard is plugged in.

Do these sound like symptoms of a dying PSU? Any input is appreciated, I can try to explain better if none of this makes sense. I have taken a look at my cpu/gpu temps, and they do not seem to be very high.

dai · 04-17-2008, 03:10 PM

if it restarts straight off indicates power
if you have to wait indicates heat
or a combination of both
check your voltages and tempretures in the bios and post them
what
cpu
video card
m/b
power
brand
wattage

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 03:31 PM

I should be clear that the computer never restarts itself. When it crashes it just shuts down completely. Although half time time the fans keep running. When it does shut down, it won't let me restart unless I unplug the power cord for a few seconds and wait for the power light to stop blinking.

The voltages are:

CPU Vcore: between 1.34 and 1.36V
+3.3V: 3.39V
+12.0V: 11.49-11.55V
+5.0V: 5.07-5.10V

Battery: 3.02V
+5USB: 5.13V

My motherboard is MSI K8N NeoF
Cpu is AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Video is Geforce 6600 GT
PSU is Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 03:40 PM

Forgot to add temperatures.
CPU/System temp ~ 32C.
GPU temp ~ 50C

**linderman** · 04-17-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorb

I should be clear that the computer never restarts itself. When it crashes it just shuts down completely. Although half time time the fans keep running. When it does shut down, it won't let me restart unless I unplug the power cord for a few seconds and wait for the power light to stop blinking.

The voltages are:

CPU Vcore: between 1.34 and 1.36V
+3.3V: 3.39V
+12.0V: 11.49-11.55V
+5.0V: 5.07-5.10V

Battery: 3.02V
+5USB: 5.13V

two things jump right out at me with a hammer !

your 12volt rail is wayyyyyy out of spec / coupled with the use of thermaltake PURE power =

you played the cheap PSU game and have seen the results / now I suggest you look to Corsair and get reliability I would focus on the TX-650 watt

other good ones are Thermaltake toughpower 650 watt (only toughpower!!)

coolermaster real power pro 650 watt (only the PRO)

Seasonic is the king; but most cant swallow the price tag

My motherboard is MSI K8N NeoF
Cpu is AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Video is Geforce 6600 GT
PSU is Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 04:32 PM

Thanks Linderman, that was sort of what I wanted to hear. At least I may know what the problem is. I guess it will be worth a shot to go ahead and get a new psu then. I just hope I don't get a new one and still have this problem. Offhand, is Ultra known to be a good brand?

dai · 04-17-2008, 04:35 PM

Power Supply Information and Selection

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 04-17-2008, 04:35 PM

x3 are ok, but theyare overpriced for what you get look at the psu info link in my sig

Also what are the specs of your computer?

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 04:41 PM

Update: I just checked the voltage again and the 12V was at 10.7V! So i guess this is definitely a problem then.

dai · 04-17-2008, 05:26 PM

i doubt the computer would boot if it was at that

doctorb · 04-17-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

i doubt the computer would boot if it was at that

It doesn't always boot all the way into windows when it starts up. Sometimes it goes part way and then shuts off. I got that reading from the bios so maybe that was one of the times when it wasn't going to boot?

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 04-17-2008, 06:00 PM

stop using the computer until you get a new psu

doctorb · 04-18-2008, 06:56 PM

Well I got a new power supply today and so far everything is working great. Looks like it was the problem after all, thanks.

dai · 04-18-2008, 10:22 PM

glad you have it sorted

04-17-2008, 02:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	[SOLVED] Could this be a faulty PSU? I have recently been experiencing random crashes. It crashes most frequently if I try to play a game for more than 5-10 mins. When it crashes, half the time the screen goes blank and I can still hear my computer fans running. The other half of the time the computer just shuts down completely. When it shuts down, the power light keeps blinking. If I try to turn the computer back on nothing happens. To get it to turn on I have to unplug the power cord from the psu, wait a second, then plug it back in. Sometimes when I try to start it up again, the only thing that turns on are the case fans. Other times when I turn it on I get a no keyboard error even though a keyboard is plugged in. Do these sound like symptoms of a dying PSU? Any input is appreciated, I can try to explain better if none of this makes sense. I have taken a look at my cpu/gpu temps, and they do not seem to be very high.

04-17-2008, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,594 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? if it restarts straight off indicates power if you have to wait indicates heat or a combination of both check your voltages and tempretures in the bios and post them what cpu video card m/b power brand wattage __________________

04-17-2008, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? I should be clear that the computer never restarts itself. When it crashes it just shuts down completely. Although half time time the fans keep running. When it does shut down, it won't let me restart unless I unplug the power cord for a few seconds and wait for the power light to stop blinking. The voltages are: CPU Vcore: between 1.34 and 1.36V +3.3V: 3.39V +12.0V: 11.49-11.55V +5.0V: 5.07-5.10V Battery: 3.02V +5USB: 5.13V My motherboard is MSI K8N NeoF Cpu is AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Video is Geforce 6600 GT PSU is Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W

04-17-2008, 03:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? Forgot to add temperatures. CPU/System temp ~ 32C. GPU temp ~ 50C

04-17-2008, 04:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? Thanks Linderman, that was sort of what I wanted to hear. At least I may know what the problem is. I guess it will be worth a shot to go ahead and get a new psu then. I just hope I don't get a new one and still have this problem. Offhand, is Ultra known to be a good brand?

04-17-2008, 04:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,594 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? Power Supply Information and Selection __________________

04-17-2008, 04:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? x3 are ok, but theyare overpriced for what you get look at the psu info link in my sig Also what are the specs of your computer? __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

04-17-2008, 04:41 PM	#9 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? Update: I just checked the voltage again and the 12V was at 10.7V! So i guess this is definitely a problem then.

04-17-2008, 05:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,594 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? i doubt the computer would boot if it was at that __________________

04-17-2008, 06:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? stop using the computer until you get a new psu __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

04-18-2008, 06:56 PM	#13 (permalink)
doctorb Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7 OS: XP	Re: Could this be a faulty PSU? Well I got a new power supply today and so far everything is working great. Looks like it was the problem after all, thanks.

04-18-2008, 10:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,594 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: [SOLVED] Could this be a faulty PSU? glad you have it sorted __________________