P4 3.2 Prescott now unstable

[biosol]

The other thread was getting long so I started a new as I also think this is a different problem. Old thread is here:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1024555&page=1

So recently the system was rebooting for which I assumed it was getting hot as it was occuring during max cpu activity. However, it's been happening more frequently more recently and not during cpu intensive tasks. Upon reboot I have always gotten a driver conflict caused the crash error, and so I figured it might be the ATI video driver. So first I took off the case's side panel for more air, and then updated the video driver. But it rebooted again after that, so I figured it best to reformat the system partition and start fresh. But, it has now rebooted 3 times during the install process. All fans are spinning. Anyone have any ideas what's going on?

I did add a second 512mb DDR, about a month ago but I think if that was a problem it would have started sooner.

The card is a Jetway Radeon 9200SE. I got it new at a second hand store because it was $47. Could this card have failed?

Any ideas??

Thanks

 

[micker377]

The card is a Jetway Radeon 9200SE. I got it new at a second hand store because it was $47. Could this card have failed?"

Do you have another video card (AGP/PCI - doesn't matter, we're just trouble-shooting), you can try to eliminate that possibility?

 

[biosol]

No, don't have another card. Maybe that wasn't a good question. I can see the post and the Windows Install. I just tried it again and after about a minute the system crashed. I can hear a click like the hard drive disengaged or stopped, but both the hard drive and DVD LED indicator lights stay on (solid).

Other suggestions?

 

[biosol]

Also, in the frozen reboot state with both the HD and DVD LEDs on, the system reset button (which usually works) doesn't work. I have to hold the power button in for the system to shutdown. Could it be the MB?

 

[micker377]

Sounds like a driver conflict. Remove everthing not needed for install (cards, drives, any USB peripherals), just use one stick of memory and see if you have any better luck.

 

[biosol]

Ok, removed a PVR-150 onboard MPEG2 PCI capture card and the second memory stick. Restart and got the same result. After about a minute it just shutdown. Also, related to the last post when it shuts down the drive LEDs stay on solid and the DVD drive drawer doesn't open.

What should I try next?

 

[LloydSev]

Check your motherboard..

Another thread had a great site I had not known about which touches on a topic very hotly debated.

http://www.badcaps.net/

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[biosol]

Hum, no mention of my MB, SOYO SY-P4VTE. Anyone second/have experience this badcaps possibility?

 

[LloydSev]

just because they don't mention your motherboard doesn't mean anything... almost every brand of mobo was affected by this. That's why he says "Many More".

All it takes is 1 cap that is bad.. and it doesn't take any time to look inside your case to see if your caps are bulging a little at the top, or if their (as a worst case scenario) electrolyte coming out the bottom.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[biosol]

Just looked them over and don't see any bulging tops (they all appear to be flat) or anything coming out of the bottom. They appear to be flush with the MB.

 

[LloydSev]

ok that's good then. it's just good to rule things out first.

Computer/Network Technician
CCNA

 

[biosol]

anybody else? MB, video card, power supply?? if the CPU was damaged would it work at all?

 

[franklin97355]

Try faq602-2731

 

[biosol]

Ok, I remembered I had an old pci video card. So I swapped out the Radeon 9200 and got the same result. After about a minute it crashed/rebooted.

Suggestions?

 

[biosol]

Looks like it might be the power supply. It had a 6 month old case/350W psu, I swapped it for a 450W and rebooted. It finished the OS install without rebooting. The system has only 1 120GB HD, 1 ATI Radeon 9200 video card, 1 PVR-150 onboard video capture, 1 DVD+RW, floppy, and 4 case fans. I think the 350W should be able to handle it, so maybe the PSU just failed? Anyone have more info on that?

I'm going to reinstall the OS (hopefully) without any reboots.

 

[paparazi]

biosol
What brand of PSU?
Generic? (came with case) or known brand?

I'm afraid this forum is littered with dozens of threads that inevitably turn out to be down to cheap generic PSU failure.
If only all users would realise the importance of a good quality PSU as the back bone to any stable/reliable system.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[biosol]

Yes, you're right. It came with the case and is probably a cheap POS (the entire case was only $25

http://www.surpluscomputers.com).

It says Max Power International Co. LTD. Lasted about 6 months.

Glad I didn't go to Fry's and buy a video card. Was soooo close.

 

[paparazi]

If you take the PSU as costing half this at $12 retail and then work out the profit mark-ups back to the manufacturer, this PSU probably cost less than $5.
It's hardly surprising that these units are poor quality.

$150 motherboards
$300 Graphics cards
$170 CPU's
$100 worth of memory
etc etc
All hanging on a $12($5) power supply, kind of an eye opener when you put it like that.

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.