PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU?

etnarama · 10-30-2009, 05:48 PM

So yeah my pc turns off and doesn't want to turn on sometimes, sometimes when it turns on i play music and its glitching the music with windows media player, the pc might be disconnected for a day and when i try he doesnt turn on or it does and it stays on for a while and disconnects, he also freezes sometimes... today it turned off about 7 times and i gave up, this is a:

2x 1GB ram pc2-5300u 667mhz non ecc unbuffered buffalo select
windows xp pro x86 sp3
m audio 2496 pci soundcard
250GB maxtor STM3250310AS
atx 450w
msi ms7255 motherboard
processor x86 family 15 model6 3000mhz
bios american megatrends v5.1 04/04/2007
DVD Rom ESA H50L
Via Chrome 9HC IGP graphic card

This pc beeps in the beginning and what i found on the net is that its something to do with the RAM its 2 short beeps and one long but sometimes it changes the beeps.. So im quite lost..
Also it turns off when i do simple stuff such as checking the hard drives.

**simpswr** · 10-30-2009, 06:49 PM

and welcome to the Forum

You can run diagnostics on the Memory to rule out failure . . Click on the link to Memtest in my signature. See this for how to make a bootable cd

What Brand is the Power Supply? . . it looks weak for that system

etnarama · 10-30-2009, 08:51 PM

The power supply is a winpower. I dont use the pc for the net, i dont have an antivirus, i only use this to produce music with cubase which is the only program that i usually use there...

i have now cleaned the processor, fans and applied new thermal paste to it too, by mistake i was cleaning the fan and the bloody thing came out... anyway still wanna kick the **** out of this pc...

Also today has been the hardest with it, i have to turn it on quite often before it actually goes into windows.... Should i do that memory test? sorry to ask...

By the way this is a great forum which i have used for years now but never needed to register... But yeah lots of info here....

**greenbrucelee** · 10-31-2009, 01:37 AM

Winpower PSUs are amongst the worst power supplies you can get.

I used to to test power supplies and found that all the winpowers I tested could only sustain their maximum ouput around 50 % of the time so that means that half the time your system could be running at 225 watts. Please change this power spupply before it does any damage to your system.

I have documented evidence of winpower psus dying from the moment they are switched on and slowly destroying other components with in the PC. The winpower you have could have damaged the ram.

Run memtest to determin that your ram is ok and go into your bios and lets me know what the voltages are (this is the 12v, 3.3 and 5v voltages)

dai · 10-31-2009, 02:26 AM

for pcie you need to be up here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%2b550w

etnarama · 11-11-2009, 04:09 AM

I cannot run memtest cause this is always turning off...

CPU Vcore 1.288V
5V 5.120V
12V 11.932V
3.3V 3.296V
3V SB 3.296

CPU temp 39C
System temp 32C

I should buy a new PSU then? What do u guys advise me?
Preferably a UK shop please... and not more than £30

Also something that might be relevant....
I have some light strips in the case and they slowly started not working and also the light on my keyboard stays on constantly as if the pc is on...

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenbrucelee

Run memtest to determin that your ram is ok and go into your bios and lets me know what the voltages are (this is the 12v, 3.3 and 5v voltages)

**Tyree** · 11-11-2009, 08:18 AM

You need to replace that WinPower PSU before it does damage to your hardware. You're not going to get a quality brand PSU that will properly power your PC for £30. I believe Corsair brand is available in your location.

dai · 11-11-2009, 09:09 AM

with psu's you get what you pay for you are going to be in this price range

http://prices.cnet.co.uk/0,39100441,51321698,00.htm

etnarama · 11-11-2009, 09:28 AM

WOW thats like double the price... UMMMM not sure if i want to pay all that, cause i prefer to have something cheaper/stable and then in 6months or so i buy a new QUAD CORE system u know.... Thats why i dont want to spend a lot for now...

dai · 11-11-2009, 09:34 AM

work out now what video card you are going to use in the new system and then you will know what psu you will need and can get that now

to buy a cheap generic psu is like sitting there and putting a match to pound notes

etnarama · 11-11-2009, 09:37 AM

I will buy a new complete system, i mean new case, everything new... Graphic card will be the one that cames with the system as native or i will buy something with a dual screen and really simple... i only use this pcs to produce music... nothing else, i dont surf the net, i dont play games only MUSIC... and the graphic cards can be the simplest of them all

dai · 11-11-2009, 10:04 AM

we always recommend buying the case and psu as separate items

pre built systems unless the components are specified are built to a price not quality and the first component cut back on is the psu and a generic tossed in

etnarama · 11-18-2009, 12:45 PM

Sorry to bother again... but is this any good???

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500W-...asiq-Power-PSU

Cheers...

**greenbrucelee** · 11-18-2009, 01:12 PM

no it isn't you should be looking at seasonic, corsair or thermaltake tough power power supplies a corsair vx 550 will do you although I would never go below 600 for any system.

etnarama · 11-18-2009, 03:22 PM

Umm still lost... Besides that vx 550 anything specifically good?
So now u say about not less than 600 but why?

**Tyree** · 11-18-2009, 05:15 PM

The Corsair 550W will be fine for your system.

**greenbrucelee** · 11-19-2009, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etnarama

Umm still lost... Besides that vx 550 anything specifically good?
So now u say about not less than 600 but why?

I Was just saying I would never have less than 600 but I have graphics cards you don't.

The reason why we have mentioned good power supplies like the vx 550 is because the power supply is the most important component in your pc. If you buy a bad make like winpower or buy an underpowered one then your asking for trouble. Never skimp on a power supply.

10-30-2009, 05:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? So yeah my pc turns off and doesn't want to turn on sometimes, sometimes when it turns on i play music and its glitching the music with windows media player, the pc might be disconnected for a day and when i try he doesnt turn on or it does and it stays on for a while and disconnects, he also freezes sometimes... today it turned off about 7 times and i gave up, this is a: 2x 1GB ram pc2-5300u 667mhz non ecc unbuffered buffalo select windows xp pro x86 sp3 m audio 2496 pci soundcard 250GB maxtor STM3250310AS atx 450w msi ms7255 motherboard processor x86 family 15 model6 3000mhz bios american megatrends v5.1 04/04/2007 DVD Rom ESA H50L Via Chrome 9HC IGP graphic card This pc beeps in the beginning and what i found on the net is that its something to do with the RAM its 2 short beeps and one long but sometimes it changes the beeps.. So im quite lost.. Also it turns off when i do simple stuff such as checking the hard drives. Last edited by etnarama; 10-30-2009 at 05:58 PM.

10-30-2009, 06:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,208 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? and welcome to the Forum You can run diagnostics on the Memory to rule out failure . . Click on the link to Memtest in my signature. See this for how to make a bootable cd What Brand is the Power Supply? . . it looks weak for that system __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

10-30-2009, 08:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? The power supply is a winpower. I dont use the pc for the net, i dont have an antivirus, i only use this to produce music with cubase which is the only program that i usually use there... i have now cleaned the processor, fans and applied new thermal paste to it too, by mistake i was cleaning the fan and the bloody thing came out... anyway still wanna kick the **** out of this pc... Also today has been the hardest with it, i have to turn it on quite often before it actually goes into windows.... Should i do that memory test? sorry to ask... By the way this is a great forum which i have used for years now but never needed to register... But yeah lots of info here.... Last edited by etnarama; 10-30-2009 at 08:55 PM.

10-31-2009, 01:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,819 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? Winpower PSUs are amongst the worst power supplies you can get. I used to to test power supplies and found that all the winpowers I tested could only sustain their maximum ouput around 50 % of the time so that means that half the time your system could be running at 225 watts. Please change this power spupply before it does any damage to your system. I have documented evidence of winpower psus dying from the moment they are switched on and slowly destroying other components with in the PC. The winpower you have could have damaged the ram. Run memtest to determin that your ram is ok and go into your bios and lets me know what the voltages are (this is the 12v, 3.3 and 5v voltages) __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

10-31-2009, 02:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,559 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? for pcie you need to be up here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%2b550w __________________

11-11-2009, 08:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,508 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? You need to replace that WinPower PSU before it does damage to your hardware. You're not going to get a quality brand PSU that will properly power your PC for £30. I believe Corsair brand is available in your location. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-11-2009, 09:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,559 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? with psu's you get what you pay for you are going to be in this price range http://prices.cnet.co.uk/0,39100441,51321698,00.htm __________________

11-11-2009, 09:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? WOW thats like double the price... UMMMM not sure if i want to pay all that, cause i prefer to have something cheaper/stable and then in 6months or so i buy a new QUAD CORE system u know.... Thats why i dont want to spend a lot for now...

11-11-2009, 09:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,559 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? work out now what video card you are going to use in the new system and then you will know what psu you will need and can get that now to buy a cheap generic psu is like sitting there and putting a match to pound notes __________________

11-11-2009, 09:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? I will buy a new complete system, i mean new case, everything new... Graphic card will be the one that cames with the system as native or i will buy something with a dual screen and really simple... i only use this pcs to produce music... nothing else, i dont surf the net, i dont play games only MUSIC... and the graphic cards can be the simplest of them all

11-11-2009, 10:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,559 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? we always recommend buying the case and psu as separate items pre built systems unless the components are specified are built to a price not quality and the first component cut back on is the psu and a generic tossed in __________________

11-18-2009, 12:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? Sorry to bother again... but is this any good??? http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500W-...asiq-Power-PSU Cheers...

11-18-2009, 01:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
greenbrucelee Mentor Hardware team Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,819 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? no it isn't you should be looking at seasonic, corsair or thermaltake tough power power supplies a corsair vx 550 will do you although I would never go below 600 for any system. __________________ Microsoft certified professional, Network +, A+ certified

11-18-2009, 03:22 PM	#15 (permalink)
etnarama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 OS: xp	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? Umm still lost... Besides that vx 550 anything specifically good? So now u say about not less than 600 but why?

11-18-2009, 05:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,508 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: PC turns off is it the RAM? Is it the PSU? The Corsair 550W will be fine for your system. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.