Computer Startup - PSU Error?

paddymul

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Jun 24, 2011
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18,510
Hi,

Hopefully someone can help. I've recently started having problems with my computer when starting it up. It's a self build and has being running fine for almost 4 years. The specs are:

Antec Sonata III Miditower, Black w/500W PSU
Asus P5KC, P35, Socket-775, DDR2/DDR3, ATX, GbLAN, Firewire, PCI-Ex16
Corsair XMS2 6400 DDR2, 1024MB PC6400 64Meg x 8, CAS 5-5-5-15, 800MHz, 240pin
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz Socket LGA775, 8MB, BOXED w/fan
Samsung SpinPoint S166 160GB SATA2 8MB 7200RPM
Samsung SpinPoint T166 500GB SATA2 16MB 7200RPM
Sapphire Radeon HD 2400 XT 256MB GDDR3, PCI-Express, DVI-I/Tv-out/HDMI, Heatsink

Recent Upgrade
----------------------
Windows 7 64-bit OS
Crucial DESKTOP 4GB kit (2GBx2) DDR2 667MHz (PC2-5300) CL5 Unbuffered UDIMM 240pin

The problems I've being having lately is when I attempt to start up the computer. The fans start but then it all cuts out. Nothing happens. I'm starting to think the PSU is failing. When I leave the computer alone for a number of hours it all starts working fine and runs smoothly again. I've checked the temps and cleaned the hard drives everything seems ok but I'm waiting for it to stop working again at any moment. I'm tempted to order a new PSU to test it properly but I thought I'd look around for advice first.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Patrick
 

Drakoes

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Dec 24, 2009
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18,690
It could be the power supply yes, but first and foremost, some questions :)

1.) Have you tried resetting the CMOS?

2.) Have you overclocked anything at all?

3.) Do you have the latest drivers and mobo BIOS?
 

paddymul

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Jun 24, 2011
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Hey,

Many thanks for the quick reply.

1) I've reset the CMOS recently and it has booted ok (just twice) since then then but I can't be sure that was the issue. Excuse my ignorance but could issues CMOS cause the computer not to boot like that?

2) No overclocking.

3) Drivers and Bios are fully up to date.

Also is it safe to continue to use the computer as is. I'm worried any issues might result in bigger problems!

Thanks!

 
G

Guest

Guest
I have the same problem as you and i am telling you the DDr2 667 CL5 is to blame for the fan stopping-rebooting system again and again. I had 2 gb of ram. 1 kingstone ddr2 - 800 and 1 Starex ddr2 667 CL5 when the problem started then i bought another 2x1gb kingstone ddr2 800 and the pc wont even start or when it started it would freeze on the boot screen. Then i took out that ddr2 667 and left the 3 gb on the motherboard and since then all is well and it runs smoothly. So it must have been the RAM.