[yellowduck]

Ok, computer is semi custom built, specs as best I know them are:

Windows XP Home <standard build, higher result in system lockup>
AMD 1800+ Athlon XP 1.53 GHz
512 DDR <speed uncertain>
Biostar MOBO <model uncertain> Avance '97 Onboard sound (best onboard I've ever seen)
Radeon 9700 Pro 128

I'm not a total computer newb, but I don't have a lot of hardware knowledge. I would have a CCNA (not that it pertains to the situation...) but the curriculum they have for the 6 semester certification really REALLY sucks... as in the exam is nothing like any of the tests prior and the curriculum has no logical progression, just information headers and everything under them... ok I'm done on my daily Cisco rant

Ok, I was just sitting talking to a friend on AIM... nothin out of the ordinary...

Then all of a sudden, my monitor gives me the "will power off in a few" thing, meaning there is no signal to the monitor.

So I check to see if the computer is still on... the green power light on the front was on, so I thought it was a simple crash, and tried to turn my computer off and back on... only the green light wouldnt go off... nor would the computer...

Seeing no alternative, I killed the master switch on the back of the power supply, then flipped it back and hit power... nothing

I opened the case, checked all the connection and what not... all good.

After taking the whole thing apart to check the power switch connection, I only came up with one piece of evidence to show anything (I even checked the power supply... didnt seem as if anything was shorted... the crash was silent as well) :

If its a fresh power on (just plugged in or replugged in) the fan will twitch (as if starting...) then nothing... but if I hit the power switch again... more from the land of nothingness...

Someone help ='(

(this is a copy of my post on hardware->other, but i'm not getting any help so i thought i'd try here)

<update> friend said that my mobo is probably dead *cry* anyone maybe find me a good deal on a new one...

 

[Guest]

Can you get your hands on another power supply to try in there to eliminate it from the equation if it doesn't work.
Try pulling the connector that goes from the power supply to the motherboard off and reconnecting it a couple of times.

 

[yellowduck]

hmmm.... just tried... cant seem to unplug it... dont want to use too much force and break it off

 

[Guest]

There's a little tab on one side of the connector that releases it.

 

[yellowduck]

bah, make me hunt for it

 

[yellowduck]

nothin... no change... just the same fan twitch

 

[Guest]

Can you borrow a power supply from someone?

 

[johnwill]

The P/S would be my top suspect, the MB comes after that. I'd start there...

 

[yellowduck]

any specific power supply? i could try with the computer i'm using now... but thats an emachine made for a P3 600 MHz...

I can try, but will it boot if its not high enough power?

 

[yellowduck]

ick... well atleast it was just a powersupply...

but i downgraded from 300w to 120w so i have a feeling that my system isnt exactly stable....

Oh well, tanks for da help

 

[johnwill]

Now that you know it's a P/S, buy a decent one. The 120 watt won't power a modern system for long, it's probably huffin' and puffin' to do the job.

 

[MoosePunk]

So it was just the powersupply? good lord I hope thats all mine is too.. Cannot afford a new MB right now...

 

[yellowduck]

lol, no kidding... i've got a radeon 9700 pro 128 ... needs more power than most vid cards so it plugs directly into the power supply.... its like one of those fish that you always see stuck to the side of fish tanks

 

[johnwill]

lol, no kidding... i've got a radeon 9700 pro 128 ... needs more power than most vid cards so it plugs directly into the power supply.... its like one of those fish that you always see stuck to the side of fish tanks

The water will drain from that fishtank soon if you don't buy a decent P/S!

 

[yellowduck]

dun need to tell me... lol... computer is actually running fine... though the monitor is giving me **** now

Used to be fine, had the "hide refresh rates monitor cant handle" and it wouldnt gimme resolution options that were out of its frequency range...

Now it does... gives me every option on the Radeon w/o concern for the monitor (max resolution is in the 1200 range, its giving options for the +2000)

Cant fix it... and i cant get the refresh to go beyond 60... i'll set it to 85, wont change, but if i go below 60, it'll change... *tear*

Oh well, first things first... gotta find a place to get my power supply that is open after 6 PM

 

[johnwill]

Mail-order places are open 24 hours a day, and their prices are cheaper too!

 

[yellowduck]

hehe i got one from a cheap puter store (which is incidentally about a block away from a completely over priced store (was 40 bucks for 128 stick of PC133 SD, like a year ago... 25 everywhere else))

$.10 / W power supply... big ol' 400 now... still cant fix my monitor... but hey, I don't mind having a headache from low refresh if my computer works =D