Power problems?

[super_gray]

Hi, if i can just explain a small (Really long) story to begin with.

Sometime ago, i had some PC problems, which looked to have been down to memory, or the power from my PSU. So, i was recommended to try out a new PSU - An Enermax Noisetaker 485w.

When i got it, everything was fine and dandy - No problems, until one day, i just switched on my PC and *pfftttttttttt* is all i heard coming from my PSU. That was when i found out (For an inexplicable reason) it had blown.

I had to then revert back to my dated (Yet never-had-aproblem-PSU) 400w Skyhawk PSU, but of course the problems come back causing some problems. I got the broken Enermax replaced, but never actually fitted it because i eventually tracked it down to possible dodgy memory. I bought some Corsair memory, and the world was sweet again!

I didnt have any problems, until last week. When played World of Warcraft i would occasionally get problems which made my screen go black/on again. I put it down to my Geforce 6800GT getting a tad warm, so i took it out, and let it cool down.

Upon putting it back in, i found that my PC would turn on - But i wouldnt get any display. The monitor would assume no graphics was in, and just went into stand-by mode. I thought the worst and thought my Graphics Card was no longer working.

I was told to go and get a (tester) PCI Graphics Card, which i did, borrowed it from a brother, while at his i tested my Graphics Card and thankfully it worked, so i fitted the PCI Graphics Card, but nothing come on.

I was then told to go and Clear CMOS on the motherboard - and HUZZAH! it came on. I was happy, but because i did a Clear CMOS, i had to go back into the BIOS and config everything back to normal. Upon reset - The display went again. I wasnt too impressed.

I decided now was the perfect moment to check the Enermax PSU i was given as a replacement (To the one that blew for no reason), i plugged my Geforce back in, turned on *pftttttt*. Yip, you guessed it - That PSU died also, within a second of turning the power on.

I was told it might be because i have a lot of stuff which is consuming power, it might be too much (But for a reputable Enermax???). I re-fitted my Skyhawk, removed my Graphics Card AND my 2 memory sticks, and fitted my (Knowingly dodgy) Kingston memory back in.

I cleared CMOS - Windows loaded up. So, i now have 2 pieces of very important gear - Which are useless in the PC, back that up with another blown Enermax and that was me miffed for the night.

I spoke to Enermax, who did say that it was unusual, but they was willing to send out a final replacement for the one that blown, i recieved it and fitted it just now - It didnt blow, but it didnt get my Graphics or Memory working either.

Whether i install the Graphics on its own, or just one bank of memory on its own, it still wont work. With the Graphics, it wont work full stop, but with the memory, i can get into the BIOS, but as soon as i leave the BIOS, i lose the display again.

Im at a loose end on what to try now, because i removed all the Hard Drives (2 Hard Drives) and CDRW and DVDR, but whatever the cause, its not solving it. Its something to do with the hardware definatly, but its not having any of it.

Here is a spec-sheet:

AMD Athlon 3200
Corsair XMS3200XL Platinum TwinX (512mb *2)
Abit NF7-S v2
BFG Geforce 6800GT
Enermax Noisetaker 485w

I have also tried 2 different components with the same results:

Skyhawk 400w PSU
Asus A7N8X-E
With the same bits as above also

So, i have tried a different motherboard with the same problems... Its very confusing :/

Also, ive had this rig for 3 months, not a problem.. Until now, i just dont get it. Ive changed Motherboard, PSU, but its only the memory and graphics which are causing the problems ;/

[pickel]

Have you tried to run this computer without a modem or ethernet card or sound card removed??

I had a bad network card that made all sorts of problems.

[super_gray]

yeah, the motherboard im currently using (Asus A7N8X-E) has onboard Network so that wont be the problem.

I only used barebones in effect recently as a test:

Motherboard (Asus A7N8X-E)
AMD Athlon 3200+
Kingston Memory (Yeah, i know i have the Corsair stuff, but want to do 6800GT first)
BFG Geforce 6800GT
Enermax Noisetaker 485w

So, i removed everything apart from the above bits, so the graphics card was getting every bit of power it needed to run - But it still didnt come on

Ive been thinking, and thinking for hours, and literally days about what the problem might be, until it hit me "Whats been part of this system, whats been through it all? The motherboards, the PSUs, and everything else?" then it clicked - The CPU.

It may work fine with low-end stuff (PCI Graphics and Kingston memory) BUT what about the mega stuff? Would the CPU pose a problem... Hm... I dont know :/

[EXreaction]

Welcome To TechIMO!

Could you try the ram you have in someone else's pc?

[super_gray]

I was considering the testing of the Corsair in someone elses PC, but then i thought it would prove fruitless as it "probably" would work.

The reason for this is - The 6800GT works in another PC, yet doesnt work in mine, and when i put it in mine, whether im using the Corsair or the Kingston, it wont load what so ever.

However, it is a different state of affairs with the Corsair memory than the 6800GT, with the 6800GT, i just get a standby screen (Meaning no BIOS) however, with the Corsair, i CAN get to the BIOS, but upon leaving the BIOS, it goes back to the standby screen, and i have to clear the CMOS (Thus, being forced to enter the BIOS anyway)

Thats why ive started to look into the direction of the CPU... That is going to be very very difficult to actually test, as its all completely hardware dependant on whomever is testing it

>>ME<< ---- > ||||| (Brickwall)

I have started to get a general dislike for my PC

[EXreaction]

Well, if you could test it in someone else's, and it worked, then you would narrow down the possibilities...all that would be left is the mobo, and cpu...

[super_gray]

Motherboard definatly fine - The problems originally started while on the NF7-S last week, this week, on the A7N8X-E the problems still occur, which... *cry* are pointing in the direction of the CPU maybe (Still).

Hmmmm, gonna make a call tomorrow... Enquire about some CPUs i think ;s

[JPMiller]

one other thing you havent looked at is dirty power from the wall outlet...
there are a few optiuons you can try to test that theory...
one being, hook up your rig at a freinds house...
or buy a UPS backup unit to filter the power...
A surge protector will NOT suffice however...
Unfortunately, if the cause was dirty power in the first place, and components were ruined, wich is the cause of your current symptoms, then just fixing the power issue wont make them go away...

[super_gray]

I tried the PC from a different power-point within my house, it however still did not come on.

Im left with the option still of waiting for my bro so i can test it at his, then i can determine finally if it is a electrical problem, or a (what i suspect) CPU problem.

If it comes on at his... What then? Its going to land me straight back to square one in effect, because, as soon as i come home - im still going to be stuck with a PC that wont work properly.

Who do i get onto? Do i buy a rated Antisurge protector (Belkin?) ?, Do i get onto my Electric company - But what good would that do. It would probably leave me with that option of getting a UPS - But ive never used one before, but what good would it do against my system? ;s

[JPMiller]

A UPS filters the power coming through it in escense...
its charging a battery and then passing along power to your computer...
(simplified and not entirely correct explanation, so don't flame me, just explain it better... )

However, if the damage to a component has already been done, and THATS the cause of your problems, then merely adding a UPS will only prevent future damage, NOT resolve the current issue,
You will still have to track down and fix/replace the cause of your current symptoms.