PC Hardware Problem

[Brock]

Originally posted on Hardwarezone Forums but with very little help.

 

First time powering up the PC after some time (10min or more) would leave the system frozen after successful memory check.

 

Power down and power up again would usually cause the system to boot normally. Sometimes, it doesn't. Once it boots up normally, any RESTART from WinXP would boot up fine.

 

I recently upgraded my video card from a XFX 8600GTS 256mb to a Palit 9800GT 512mb Sonic.

 

The new card requires a minimum of 450W and a rating of 24a.

 

My old PSU was a Coolermaster Extreme Power 550W. 12v1 + 12v2 = 16a + 16a = 32a

 

Distributor tech tested my card fine. Said it is PSU not supplying enough power. Went down to another shop and described the situation. Also said it's not enough power. But when I said it was running 550W, they were surprised that it could not run as they assemble theirs with 550w working as well.

 

Itchy finger, bought a new PSU: Aerocool Modular 650w. 12v1 + 12v2 + 12v3 + 12v4 = 18a + 18a + 18a + 18a = 72a.

 

Installed it. Still same problem.

 

Checked RAM. All 4 gig is fine.

 

Noticed something. Upon 1st time powering up, all drives NOT detected. System freeze after successful RAM check.

 

Only 2nd time onwards power on, drives are detected and system boots normally.

 

WinXP SP3

C: is a PATA to SATA 160g

D: is PATA 40g

Lycosa keyboard with MS Mouse

Sound is onboard chip

 

Seriously need help here.

[Ngck]

seems like compatibility or drivers issues.. does your systemboard have support for this card?

 

1) Check you windows event logs for error messages

2) Test with a lower end card on the same slot.... if ok mean basic hardware ok

3) upgrade all OS patches if possible

4) since Tech says card ok, swap card, once can boot successfully, install the latest drivers

5) hope for the best. if still cannot... just RMA the card tell them its spoilt.

[Kingkong]

Your description doesn't sound like PSU to me.

Coz if PSU not enough, usually system will reboot for no reason.

 

Try re-sitting all the cards (not just the GPU), including the memory cards.

Make sure all cards are seated firmly.

 

 

[Shull]

sounds like OS problem to me..

 

try reinstalling your gfx drivers..if it still fails..then reformat and reinstall windows..

[Aimnfire]

do you have any usb port attach to like mouse/keyboard/external hdd/etc.............if have try to unplugged them

 

thats what happen to my pc.............external hdd made my pc froze after memory check

 

hope it helps

[Bluemice]

hi,

 

wats ur CPU + mobo combi ? also how old ?

do u encounter date errors randomly ?

 

also, regarding the PSU amp qtn... note that having 32A avail for a 24A gfx card is not a lot. as for your new PSU. hving so many channels is only useful if you use separate channels for separate items. eg if u connect 12V1 to 2 Hdd and leave others unconnected "

Note ur gfx card power connector, is it sharing with anything else ?

 

mice

[Brock]

seems like compatibility or drivers issues.. does your systemboard have support for this card?

 

1) Check you windows event logs for error messages

2) Test with a lower end card on the same slot.... if ok mean basic hardware ok

3) upgrade all OS patches if possible

4) since Tech says card ok, swap card, once can boot successfully, install the latest drivers

5) hope for the best. if still cannot... just RMA the card tell them its spoilt.

 

1. It's not WinXP related. Only bootup issue.

2. Lower end card fine.

3. WinXP SP3 all updates applied.

4. Drivers also latest.

5. Tried to RMA. Tech say card still ok.

 

 

[Brock]

Your description doesn't sound like PSU to me.

Coz if PSU not enough, usually system will reboot for no reason.

 

Try re-sitting all the cards (not just the GPU), including the memory cards.

Make sure all cards are seated firmly.

 

Removed RAM and video card and reinserted them properly. Still no go.

[Brock]

sounds like OS problem to me..

 

try reinstalling your gfx drivers..if it still fails..then reformat and reinstall windows..

 

Once it boots up properly, everything is fine. Problem is only when I first power up.

 

Stuck at successful RAM check. Can't go pass that.

 

Normally, after successful RAM check, system will detect USB devices, which are my keyboard and mouse. Next, it detects HDD and DVD Writer and OS will load normally.

 

[Brock]

do you have any usb port attach to like mouse/keyboard/external hdd/etc.............if have try to unplugged them

 

thats what happen to my pc.............external hdd made my pc froze after memory check

 

hope it helps

 

Removed my videocam. No diff.

 

Removed my additional connected USB 4 port HUB. Also no diff.

 

Only USB device left is printer (powered off), Palm hotsync device (powered off), keyboard and mouse. Still no diff.

[Brock]

hi,

 

wats ur CPU + mobo combi ? also how old ?

do u encounter date errors randomly ?

 

also, regarding the PSU amp qtn... note that having 32A avail for a 24A gfx card is not a lot. as for your new PSU. hving so many channels is only useful if you use separate channels for separate items. eg if u connect 12V1 to 2 Hdd and leave others unconnected "

Note ur gfx card power connector, is it sharing with anything else ?

 

mice

 

Core2Duo. 2.66ghz. 4gig RAM. Asus Neo3. Only 1.5yr old.

 

No date errors. Thought it was BIOS batt. Removed it for 10 sec to discharge memory, reinserted. No change. Changed to new batt. No change.

 

Flashed BIOS to the latest version, no change.

 

New PSU is modular type. One rail connected to HDD x 2 + 1 DVD writer. The other rail is dedicated PCI-E to video card.

Edited January 18, 2009 by Brock

[Vroomtattat]

Once it boots up properly, everything is fine. Problem is only when I first power up.

 

Stuck at successful RAM check. Can't go pass that.

 

Normally, after successful RAM check, system will detect USB devices, which are my keyboard and mouse. Next, it detects HDD and DVD Writer and OS will load normally.

 

What Mobo are you using? And the specs of the RAM?

 

You mentioned your graphics card needed 450W, if you add up the rest of the parts . . . 650W may not be enough. My friend just got a 800-900W PSU for his new PC

[Bluemice]

New PSU is modular type. One rail connected to HDD x 2 + 1 DVD writer. The other rail is dedicated PCI-E to video card.

 

 

here we go ...

 

 

The new card requires a minimum of 450W and a rating of 24a.

Itchy finger, bought a new PSU: Aerocool Modular 650w. 12v1 + 12v2 + 12v3 + 12v4 = 18a + 18a + 18a + 18a = 72a.

 

Can i say that each channel of your PSU supplies only 18A ? Can check your mobo gfx card slot supplies ?? A. Notice that your gfx needs 24A, does the total of your mobo supply + psu connector = 24A.

 

try to play arnd in your BIOs to see if there is any setting for delay Hdd powerup.

 

just a suggestion

 

mice

[Shull]

What Mobo are you using? And the specs of the RAM?

 

You mentioned your graphics card needed 450W, if you add up the rest of the parts . . . 650W may not be enough. My friend just got a 800-900W PSU for his new PC

 

i think 650W is more than enough...

 

i have a 600W PSU running the following specs without any prob..

 

AMD AM2 6000+

3GB DDR667 RAM

ATI HD4850 w/1GB VRAM(this one is known power sucker)

4x SATA HDD (1TB, 500GB, 300GB and 250GB)

1x Optical drive

SB Audigy 2 Sound Card

[Brock]

i think 650W is more than enough...

 

i have a 600W PSU running the following specs without any prob..

 

AMD AM2 6000+

3GB DDR667 RAM

ATI HD4850 w/1GB VRAM(this one is known power sucker)

4x SATA HDD (1TB, 500GB, 300GB and 250GB)

1x Optical drive

SB Audigy 2 Sound Card

 

600W is definitely sufficient. I'm running on almost bare minimum on 650w and still got problems. My new PSU is nvidia SLI ready and 80+ certified. True power.

[Shull]

if it got stuck at BIOS..as far as my past experience..there can be only 2 possibilities

 

1) Your mobo is dying on you..or you accidentally shorted something when you installed your gfx..

 

2) One of the device your mobo 'scan' at startup is faulty..again..intermittently..

[Brock]

here we go ...

 

 

The new card requires a minimum of 450W and a rating of 24a.

Itchy finger, bought a new PSU: Aerocool Modular 650w. 12v1 + 12v2 + 12v3 + 12v4 = 18a + 18a + 18a + 18a = 72a.

 

Can i say that each channel of your PSU supplies only 18A ? Can check your mobo gfx card slot supplies ?? A. Notice that your gfx needs 24A, does the total of your mobo supply + psu connector = 24A.

 

try to play arnd in your BIOs to see if there is any setting for delay Hdd powerup.

 

just a suggestion

 

mice

 

No delay for HDD powerup in BIOS.

 

See the pic. Sufficient power?

[Brock]

if it got stuck at BIOS..as far as my past experience..there can be only 2 possibilities

 

1) Your mobo is dying on you..or you accidentally shorted something when you installed your gfx..

 

2) One of the device your mobo 'scan' at startup is faulty..again..intermittently..

 

1. No burnt smell or 'pop' or 'boom' sounds.

 

2. I suspected HDDs. Removed and tried every single one. Still got problem on the first boot.

 

Re-cap of problem:

Initial power on.

Memory check OK.

System freeze.

 

Current workaround:

Initial power on.

Wait for 2 sec (estimate)

Power off.

Wait 1 sec.

Power on.

Memory check OK.

USB devices found.

HDD + optical drives found.

OS load up ok.