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Help With My Computer Problem

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James
osu! Hall of Famer
4,371 posts
Joined January 2008
Topic Starter
James
Its possible that this might be a PSU / BIOS Battery / reseat problem but might as well mention it here and from other boards for help suggestions and recommendations.

Computer was working fine before, but it has some minor problems during startup like the computer just powers on, the lights show up, then it shuts down again. It was doing like that for about a few days then it stopped for a month.

This morning, I decided to clean my computer, so I removed everything, then cleaned most of the stuff inside except for the PSU and the HDDs because the wires that are connected to my HDDs are a pain in the a** to remove and re-braid it again and some cables from the PSU does not even reach where the HDDs are placed.

So I finished putting back everything, plug the wires, then powered the computer on. Lights shows up for about 3 seconds, then it stops. It does the same thing now. Yea, the old problem goes back but it does not boot up anymore. Note that BIOS doesn't even show up then it will already shut down. No beeps during startup as well.

My specs of my old computer are the following:

Intel C2Q Q8200(i think)
2x2gb OCZ Platinum PC8500
NVIDIA GTX260
1x80gb Maxtor HDD
1x2TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green
1x1.5TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Black (this is disabled btw)
1x640GB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green
500w HEC PSU (or was it 550? lol)
2 Fans at the front and back
1 Fan at the top, bottom, and side

All of them are stock(non-clocked).

Any suggestions, help, loan of parts to see if what part is broken will be much appreciated. Thank you.
Rantai
1,000 posts
Joined July 2010
Rantai
I'm by no means experienced with this sort of stuff but I thought I might chip in some previous experiences with the same symptoms just in case they are useful.

SPOILER
This sounds a lot like what happened to me and my old psu. It would start up but before it could post or display anything, the whole system would just stop. This happened on and off but got more frequent until finally it just stayed in that loop. I was told that the psu's pins were damaged (or something like that) and was told it needed replacing, which fixed the problem.

On a less similar note, I also had a problem where the computer would boot, not beep and not display anything but the fans etc kept running at max speed until I forced shut down. That was when my cpu and mobo died at the same time.

I'm leaning towards a psu problem but that's all I can do to help :(
awp
osu! Alumni
11,869 posts
Here since the beginning
awp
I'd say power issue. If it were anything else, the mobo should load and scream at you with an error code of some kind.

It might be worth checking to make sure everything is plugged in, for a start. Barring that, you could try replacing the PSU (or try using that PSU in another machine) to see if that is the true culprit
James
osu! Hall of Famer
4,371 posts
Joined January 2008
Topic Starter
James
Yeah, I was thinking that it is a Power issue as well. Still looking for someone who can loan me a 600w+ true rated PSU.
Ill post again to see what happens after testing it with another PSU.
Hope the mobo is still alive, else I'd replace everything again lol..
whymeman
osu! Alumni
3,432 posts
Joined November 2008
whymeman
Is it the same stock PSU from when you first got the computer or is it an aftermarket upgraded one? Sounds like you're running enough parts in the tower to put the PSU to work. Also, does your motherboard show a green light when the PSU is on stand by? (getting power, but computer isn't on). If so, it wouldn't hurt to upgrade to a better PSU to see if that can fix it. And also, was the computer hit with power surges and outages in the past? I know computers don't like huge voltage & current fluctuations....

Double check the specs on your parts and see which PSU would be better to go with. Honestly, that video card looks like it puts a good load on the PSU already just to keep it running. Also, Intel Processors usually use more power than AMD Processors so don't forget to add that in with the total power usage...

Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 <- Thermal Power: 95W / CPU Voltage: 0.85V - 1.3625V
2x2gb OCZ Platinum PC8500
NVIDIA GTX260 <- Required: 500 Watt Power Supply (with 36A on the +12V Rail) / (2) PCI-E 6-pin
1x80gb Maxtor HDD
1x2TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green
1x1.5TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Black
1x640GB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green

Not sure if I have the right HDD's, but it still gives a good idea what you're dealing with. The amount of power the fan uses should be stamped on there as well. Another thing..... don't let the computer suffocate in dust clutter. It can also cause some static and overheating issues.
James
osu! Hall of Famer
4,371 posts
Joined January 2008
Topic Starter
James

whymeman wrote:

Is it the same stock PSU from when you first got the computer or is it an aftermarket upgraded one?
Ah, my PSU is an HEC 500w (or was it 600w, I forgot). Its around 3-5 years already since I am using this with my old computer that has less specs with my current one. I had the current setup running for about a year now, so add +1 year to the PSU.

Sounds like you're running enough parts in the tower to put the PSU to work. Also, does your motherboard show a green light when the PSU is on stand by? (getting power, but computer isn't on).
Not really noticing it because all my lights are color red. unless i need to look at the motherboard itself for any other colors.. when I switch on the power, everything is running, even the fans, then it just stops. POST doesn't even show up.

If so, it wouldn't hurt to upgrade to a better PSU to see if that can fix it.
need to get a loaner 600++w true rated psu to see if the psu really is the culprit. I'm 90% sure that it is though.

And also, was the computer hit with power surges and outages in the past? I know computers don't like huge voltage & current fluctuations....
yeah.. but not alot.. cant count how many though. prolly once every 1-2 months or something.. im using a good voltage regulator though, not just generic ones..

Double check the specs on your parts and see which PSU would be better to go with.
will do complete reseat + thorough contact cleaning later to see if it will fix the problem.

Honestly, that video card looks like it puts a good load on the PSU already just to keep it running. Also, Intel Processors usually use more power than AMD Processors so don't forget to add that in with the total power usage...
i remember calculating these before, total wattage needed is below 500w.. maybe adding more HDDs and plugging more stuff into the USB can also add more wattage needed. so I think the PSU died on me.


Core 2 Quad Processor Q8200 <- Thermal Power: 95W / CPU Voltage: 0.85V - 1.3625V
2x2gb OCZ Platinum PC8500
NVIDIA GTX260 <- Required: 500 Watt Power Supply (with 36A on the +12V Rail) / (2) PCI-E 6-pin
1x80gb Maxtor HDD
1x2TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green
1x1.5TB Western Digital HDD Caviar Black
1x640GB Western Digital HDD Caviar Green


Not sure if I have the right HDD's, but it still gives a good idea what you're dealing with. The amount of power the fan uses should be stamped on there as well. Another thing..... don't let the computer suffocate in dust clutter. It can also cause some static and overheating issues.
yea, one reason that I cleaned the CPU, as it is already gathering dust. haha..


p.s. i deleted the spam post above you because im cool 8-)
Fabi
1,130 posts
Joined September 2009
Fabi
Just connect processor, memory and (if you have) integrated graphic card, just look if it boot up to BIOS.

Forgot to mention, just use 1 memory stick. Also check if you have plugged correctly those cables (power up,reset up, hdd, etc).
whymeman
osu! Alumni
3,432 posts
Joined November 2008
whymeman
Forgot to mention this also, but if I remember right, you should be able to check for POST even without some of the parts attached (processors, RAM, GPU(s)....)

And what kind of Intel board is it? I know the model code/number should be stamped on there somewhere near the processor attachment....
James
osu! Hall of Famer
4,371 posts
Joined January 2008
Topic Starter
James
Not possible to use 1ram.. Im using dual channel..

Anything i should do when i booted up to post?

I think im using a p45 board

Here is the model.. I think this is lol
http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=prodde ... od_no=1611

Will do the advice later although i already did most of it hehe
Guy-kun
770 posts
Joined December 2009
Guy-kun
Just try booting it without the graphics card in.
dkun
osu! Alumni
4,486 posts
Joined August 2009
dkun
gumawa ka na lang ng "bigyan natin si james ng isang bagong computer fund"

ontopic: is there no computer shop near you that'll let you bring a tower in to see if it is the psu? pretty common naman sa pinas, hindi ba?
James
osu! Hall of Famer
4,371 posts
Joined January 2008
Topic Starter
James

dkun wrote:

gumawa ka na lang ng "bigyan natin si james ng isang bagong computer fund"
uy pwede to ah... :D

Guy-kun wrote:

Just try booting it without the graphics card in.
Tried it, it didn't work



Anyhow, I managed to get it to work without buying anything, its possible that it is just a reseating issue but I still doubt it since it already happened to me.

What I did are the following:
-Removed everything except for the HDDs rofl and the motherboard
-Cleaned out every contacts that I find with my trusty no. 2 pencil eraser
-Switched RAM slots
-Removed BIOS battery, cleaned it as well
-Placed everything back in order

Started the pc, no good. I forgot to plug the video card power something (thats why i said it didnt work guy-kun)
Plugged both power thingy, then started the computer - it worked.

Now I got another problem. I don't know what is the cause of the problem because I did not try isolating the problem since everyone is so busy and I cant find a loan for parts. lol...

Still PSU, no?
zsr123
357 posts
Joined January 2010
zsr123
the lights show up, then it shuts down again.
i had this problem before, and i just simple switched RAMs to different solts. problem sloved :o

some people tell me that might be CPU problem . (not sure.. :o

BTW my specs

Intel Q6600
3x1GB Kingston DDR800
ECS P35T-A
NVIDIA GTX260
3 HDDs
2 Fans
and Power : Antec BP430 (430W or 380W ? @ @)
Fabi
1,130 posts
Joined September 2009
Fabi

James wrote:

Not possible to use 1ram.. Im using dual channel..

Anything i should do when i booted up to post?

I think im using a p45 board

Here is the model.. I think this is lol
http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=prodde ... od_no=1611

Will do the advice later although i already did most of it hehe
??

You can just use 1 stick to boot or start your SO. Dual channel is just a feature to improve memory performance.
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