66 replies to this topic

[LilBambi]

My Jim (an electronics technician) suggests you should be happy for now if it's working fine.

There are times when you have a bad connection someplace and fixed it by taking it apart and putting it back again. Could have got some dust also out of areas leading to thermal problems.

He said just wait for the next event, if it happens.

Intermittent problems are a real pain. Don't borrow trouble. There will be time for worrying later if something further happens.

[Tushman]

My Jim (an electronics technician) suggests you should be happy for now if it's working fine.

The problem is that it is not working fine.  As DarkSerge said in his earlier post, the system fails to give a successful POST when running in dual-monitor configuration.  (not consistently anyways).

Or are you suggesting that he only run in single monitor configuration?

Edited by Tushman, 04 March 2012 - 07:25 PM.

[LilBambi]

DarkSerge, is it not working with dual monitors now?

[LilBambi]

Ah, OK, you went back and edited the previous posting...missed that.

Another power supply would be the next stop and see what happens then.

[Tushman]

Also tell us the model of your video card.

[DarkSerge]

So far, 5 successful full startups with all drives except the system drive. Weak power supply perhaps? I'll try several more startups and see if they succeed. It seems the critical moments to whether it will start is either at the very beginning of POST, or when I login to Windows. Those are the two moments all the recent failures have shut off.

Edit: Oh sorry, video card. ATI Radeon 7000 series. Although I had failures while running the onboard graphics, Intel based.  And 6 successful startups with drives unplugged.

Edited by DarkSerge, 04 March 2012 - 07:50 PM.

[LilBambi]

Yes, replacing the power supply would be a good thing to do next.

[DarkSerge]

Yes, replacing the power supply would be a good thing to do next.

8 successful full startups with the drives unplugged. With everything plugged in I don't think I went more than 3 without a failure. So I'm starting to think I should go power supply shopping on my day off tomorrow. Everybody else thinking the same?

[LilBambi]

8 successful full startups with the drives unplugged. With everything plugged in I don't think I went more than 3 without a failure. So I'm starting to think I should go power supply shopping on my day off tomorrow. Everybody else thinking the same?

[DarkSerge]

10 successful startups in a row. I even sent some emails and checked my Facebook just to give it something to do to see if it randomly crapped out again and it's still running. So tomorrow I will head to some local computer shops and do some power supply shopping. I'm going to shut it down for a few hours then start back up and see if it still works.

Thank you everyone for your help! Sorry if I sounded a bit frustrated in a few posts. I appreciate all the help I will update when I have a new power supply or if there are any new developments.

Edited by DarkSerge, 04 March 2012 - 08:22 PM.

[LilBambi]

Awesome! There is another topic around here with some great power supply companies to choose from for the long haul.

[burninbush]

Alright. Hopefully power supply is the main problem in the long run.

It sure sounds like a weak power supply.  They do all fail, eventually.  Your bios setup screen almost surely has a page that shows current voltages and cpu temps, fan monitor, etc.  In case you don't have a voltmeter.    

Don't know what video card(s) you have, but some of them require so much power they need their own power plug, i.e., pull too much current to use the mobo traces.   It's possible that removing the 2nd card makes the difference.  

I'd get a new supply -- if that doesn't solve it, then you have a good spare.  

[Tushman]

10 successful startups in a row. I even sent some emails and checked my Facebook just to give it something to do to see if it randomly crapped out again and it's still running. So tomorrow I will head to some local computer shops and do some power supply shopping. I'm going to shut it down for a few hours then start back up and see if it still works.

Thank you everyone for your help! Sorry if I sounded a bit frustrated in a few posts. I appreciate all the help I will update when I have a new power supply or if there are any new developments.

This Thermaltake PSU is only $35 after rebate.

TR2 Series 500 Watt ATX Power Supply


http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_r...ml?N=4294966654

Edited by Tushman, 04 March 2012 - 11:04 PM.

[DarkSerge]

I installed a new power supply and restarted a few times. So far, all is well!  

[LilBambi]

Yea!!!

[amenditman]

I installed a new power supply and restarted a few times. So far, all is well!  

Great news.

[DarkSerge]

I've been keeping this computer busy today and no problems. Watched Netflix, listened to some of my music, edited photos; things that put my computer to work and use the other hard drives. It's been a couple hours and all is well.