HardwareNewbie3

Hi all.

First off, here's my computer specs:
80GB Maxtor Hard Drive
2.6Ghz Pentium4 Northwood
512MB DDR SDRAM PC3200
ATI Radeon 9700 All-In-Wonder
Running Windows XP
Princeton Monitor

Before I begin, I'll just say that I believe my Radeon is the cause of my problems. However, if you believe that it's something like faulty RAM, Hard Drive, etc, please say so and if you know any tests.
One of my friends believe it could be my power supply. Although, I have no idea what information to provide.

Here are my computer's symptoms:
1) At random times while running my computer (sometimes writing Word Documents, sometimes playing video games, sometimes just letting the computer idle), my computer freezes. Mouse input, keyboard input, nothing responds.
2) Only at times under heavy load (playing graphic intensive games such as Counter-Strike Source), the monitor goes black. Let me elaborate: The monitor light remains green, however the display is back; my speakers are still working and so are my mouse and keyboard (I've fooled around with it while it's happened). To get the display back, I simply turn off my monitor and turn it back on. Sometimes, it will just go black again...until it finally stops (sometimes takes 2 tries, 10 tries, or I just give up after 20 tries).


I cleaned out the dust in my case last weak, however, the problem still persists. I didn't take out the videocard to inspect it because I was "afraid" of not knowing how to put it back in.
I can inspect it if someone thinks there could be a problem.


Thanks,
-Alex

Sarkast

Could indeed be a video card or power supply issue. However before you get into that why not run the program you can find here: www.memtest86.com first to make sure the freezes arent RAM related as i have seen a lot on here lately.
Run the program from floppy or CD (boot with it) for 10 loops or more and see if it finds any errors.

HardwareNewbie3

Sorry if I sound like an idiot:
I downloaded memtest86 and made a bootable floppy.
Rebooted computer with floppy in.

Computer simply restarted in its normal way...no stopping while loading Windows or anything.
Am I suppost to hit f8 during boot up and navigate to floppy drive?

dai

you have to set the bios to boot from floppy first

HardwareNewbie3

May I ask how to do that? Sorry ><

dai

press delete key during the post screen to enter the bios
then look for the page for boot device order and set it to floppy then save and exit the bios pop the floppy in and reboot

HardwareNewbie3

Tests passed. =)

So its not the RAM.

I'm still guessing Videocard or Power supply.

The program MSI Core Center shows the following values:
VCore: 1.50 V (varies 0.03)
3.3V: 3.30 V (varies 0.02)
+5V: 4.97 V max
+12V: 11.92 V max
Does this mean my power supply is bad?


Other notes:
My usual CPU temp when not under load is 40 degrees Celsius.
My usual CPU temp under load is around 56 degrees Celsius.


Thanks for any more suggestions.

dai

what are the details of your p/s brand wattage line amps you will have to look at the label on the side of the supply

HardwareNewbie3

Outlet -> Surge Protector -> Computer

Surge protector says:
15 A
120 V AC
60 HZ
1800 W

Brand is "power sentry" (really really really old).

dai

no open the computer case and look at the label on the power supply
brand name
wattage
amps on the 12v,5v 3.3v lines

HardwareNewbie3

ATX12V Power
AC Output current: 10A / 5A
+3.3V 24.0A
+5V 27.0A
+12V 10.0A
-5V 0.5A
-12V 0.8A
+5Vsb 2.0A
Total output Wattage: 350 watts

Sarkast

The numbers you provided show a very low ampere output on the +12V rail. Even though the 9700 isnt as power hungry as some newer cards 10 Amps is very very low. For your system specs the bare minimum to run a stabil system would be 15-18 Amps on the +12V rail.

I am sure if you'd replace your existing PSU with a quality name brand 400W+ PSU that meets the above mentioned requirements your problems will disappear.

HardwareNewbie3

Sorry, I'm not exact sure how to interpret your response.

The program MSI Core Center shows the following values:
VCore: 1.50 V (varies 0.03)
3.3V: 3.30 V (varies 0.02)
+5V: 4.97 V max
+12V: 11.92 V max

I understand that the +12V output is low.
However, I'm not sure what you mean in: 400W+ PSU.
Would you mind linking me to an example if you could?

Surge protector says:
15 A
120 V AC
60 HZ
1800 W

Does 1800 W not mean watts? lol ><

Sarkast

Those are the specs you posted.
The specs of your surge protector have little to no importance.

This is an example of a very nice power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103908

When you scroll down you'll see the output as "26A@12V". Your PSU voltage is reported as 11.92 - which seems low but even quality PSUs dont deliever exactly 12V - and thats not necessary anyways aslong as the voltages are within 5% of its supposed value. However the voltage alone (in your case 11.92V) doesnt say much about the quality of it. Your PSU is working overtime because the 10 Amps arent sufficient to power your system - and i assume the voltages get "unclean" at times and cause your PC to freeze or crash.

Here is a budget PSU (the one i am using):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153006

This one is sufficient for your setup but wont give you much options to upgrade in the future - something the much better Antec model does.

HardwareNewbie3

Thanks for the responses guys.

I'm not saying that I don't value your input because I'm going to "borrow" my friend's power supply and see if it works for my computer, but this problem didn't use to happen before two weeks ago. (Even while playing graphic intense games).


Do you think any other problem could've caused this?


I'll post what happens when I use my friend's power supply.

dai

there usually can be a number of causes to a problem,but i think when you put the supply in you will find it fixed

HardwareNewbie3

Sorry, I haven't replaced the power supply yet but I have another question.

In my original post, I forgot to mention that there are two short beeps everytime my computer starts up.
The first beep doesn't visually do anything.
After the second beep, my monitor display comes on.

ebackhus

Sounds to be something like an undervoltage. When you boot up everything comes to life and that's a major draw on the PSU. If that's the case then according to the specs you posted your PC may not really "see" everything because there isn't enough juice to keep it all going.