Computer problem\question

[bigboywooly]

Ok guys need some help here as doing my head in

My computer has just recently started freezing on the display - cant move mouse - HDD seems to go on working as light flashes
Sometimes it will reboot others I have to do it
No error messages given

Sometimes will happen 30 seconds after starting the comp sometimes half hour later

Have updated bios since it started and also re installed windows XP
Still happening
All drivers are up to date

Have ran memtest on the memory and threw up no errors
Also ran a stability test in the nvidia control panel - no errors again
Temp isnt a problem for GPU according to the software installed - running at 52 degrees celcius

Running XP Pro
Intel Pentium D 3.20 Ghz dual core
2Gb RAM
Nvidia 7300 SE\7200 GS
250 Gb Maxtor SATA
80 Gb WD ATA

All help grateful before I explode

[Lzs von swe]

My guess is the graphics card. Do you have another nVidia card laying around? Try replacing your current card with it, the drivers should work with practically any nVidia card, and try to run the PC.

[bigboywooly]

Tis PCI-E so dont have another Nvidia lying around
Do have an ATI X1050 - pretty sure was still happening when tried that one
Will try that again though

[SUBMAN1]

I'd guess CPU or PSU (Power Supply Unit). One of the two. The PSU, if it is outputting sloppy power due to its slow death, will cause this kind of issue. It will be completely random.

The CPU could also be the issue. If it is overheating, it may just lock the system up.

The Graphics card, though possible, is the last thing I'd suspect here.

-S

[bigboywooly]

Thanx Subman

Happens regulary
As I said sometimes just after boot up - could the CPU get that hot that quick ?

Am running some benchmarking software ( SiS) as I write which just had the CPU up to 97% lol and still going :hmm:

Will replace the PSU I suppose as the cheapest first

:rotfl:

[SUBMAN1]

Thanx Subman

Happens regulary
As I said sometimes just after boot up - could the CPU get that hot that quick ?

Am running some benchmarking software ( SiS) as I write which just had the CPU up to 97% lol and still going :hmm:

Will replace the PSU I suppose as the cheapest first

:rotfl:Yep - you just probably found your problem. If the CPU is 100%, and no problem, then I'd say 90% chance you have a bum PSU.

-S

[Lzs von swe]

Yes, a bad PSU would be my next guess.
I´ve had a PSU slowly dying on me, to the point where the PC would not boot at first try but then boot at second try. Only to stop working again...
Go for some extra power, a new GFX and a new sound card etc. and a cheap PSU will soon be overstressed.

[bigboywooly]

Thank you both
A new PSU it is then

[Chock]

Assuming it definitely is a hardware issue, PSU dying would be my first guess.
After that, maybe poor seating of a component or dried out thermal paste where the CPU mates with the heat sink, also possibly dust on the CPU or GPU heat sink vanes causing it to get hot, probably worth checking the vents and fans too to make sure they are free of dust and cooling stuff adequately. If it's none of that, I'd try replacing RAM, then GPU, then CPU.

:D Chock

[kiwi_2005]

You never gave your Uboat a refit last time you were in port did you Woolyboy! Because of that your PC is suffering the consquences. Either that or tone down the AI in GWX :lol:

Just kidding.

Like others have said here faulty PSU or your cpu is overheating. :yep:

[GT182]

Yep BBW, sounds to me like it's the PSU. My stepdaughter just went thru the same thing with her pc..... and it was the PSU.

[sonar732]

Something of note was that I didn't see how many watts your PSU was. When you do upgrade, make sure that you have in mind your future needs. :up:

[Jimbuna]

I appreciate funds don't grow on trees, but if finances allow BB, I'd go for 850 WATT minimum.

[SUBMAN1]

Wattage is not important. Amperage is, specfically the +12 Volt rail. If you have plenty of amps on the +12 volt rail, you will also have plenty of watts automatically. I'd say go for a minimum of 38 Amps on the +12 volt. That should power any dual CPU you want, and should power an SLI or Crossfire rig no problem.

Of utmost importance to me personally when building a box is noise. If you need help on quiet PSU's with good amperage, look at a company by the name of Seasonic. They may be a little more exotic than some of the more mainstream PSU's, but they deliver the goods with no sound at all.

If RAW power is what you want, look no further than Silverstone. Expect to pay a mint for Silverstone PSU's though. They are what I would consider industrial PSU's. These will not be as quiet as the Seasonics though.

-S

[antikristuseke]

So far everyone has given out good advice, but i have to say this and i cant stress this ennough, when buying a PSu STAY THE **** AWAY FROM Codegen and ColorsIT. That is all.

[Jimbuna]

:roll: Sounds like someone speaking from personal experience :hmm:

A bad one I suspect http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img231/1076/shockedvi8.gif

[3Jane]

It might also be worth checking the seating of your CPU cooler. As well as a faulty psu there might possibly be some temperature issues in there as well.

[antikristuseke]

:roll: Sounds like someone speaking from personal experience :hmm:

A bad one I suspect http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img231/1076/shockedvi8.gif

Yes indeed. I have had three Codegens die on mysel,f two on one friend and one on another. With colors IT a close friend of mine bought one and it went poof the second the turned his computer on killing the motherboard aswell, when he got new ones because of waranty the exact same thing happened. Other than that Codegen overrate their PSU's and use really low amps on all rails, but they cost next to nothing so that is to be expected. Both of my 120mm case fans are from dead Codegen PSU's, those are the onyl parts of it worth anything. Ohyeah allso for a rough rule of thumb, good PSU's tend to be quite heavy.

[Jimbuna]

Rgr that matey.....give them a wide berth....quite understandable http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif