Crashes shortly after startup

[Ticonus]

Hey guys, my friends computer has been having problems for the past couple months so i came over to see if I could help, we took apart the computer completely and cleaned out as much dust from the parts and case as I could without damaging anything. He was unable to start the computer at all but we are now able to actually start it up and in normal or safe mode it still just turns off after 2 or 3 minutes, theres no message or sounds from the mobo, it just instantly turns off, any advice?

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Afternoon,

Could be a power supply issue but first we need to rule some things out, please answer all the questions.

Are you using integrated graphics or a dedicated / discrete graphics card.


Advice:

First, take the memory sticks out of their dimms and re-seat them into the dimms, post back the results after doing this.

Many thanks,

 

[Ticonus]

Afternoon,

Could be a power supply issue but first we need to rule some things out, please answer all the questions.

Are you using integrated graphics or a dedicated / discrete graphics card.


Advice:

First, take the memory sticks out of their dimms and re-seat them into the dimms, post back the results after doing this.

Many thanks,

Dedicated graphics, its a fairly old? card now must be 5 or 6 years old now, Radeon HD 6870 Sapphire
we've taken the the memory out and put them back in

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Hi agian,

Are you able to test the memory sticks in a different computer so we can rule the memory out as the culprit altogether?

See if you can take the GPU out and plug the monitor cable into one of the ports on the MOTHERBOARD and post back with results,

Many Thanks,

 

[Ticonus]

Hi agian,

Are you able to test the memory sticks in a different computer so we can rule the memory out as the culprit altogether?

See if you can take the GPU out and plug the monitor cable into one of the ports on the MOTHERBOARD and post back with results,

Many Thanks,

We have 4 computers in the room/house, one of which does not work at all (very old 2008) another 2008 computer which he is using currently (but it blue screens under any stress) his computer which is the one we are trying to fix and last is my alienware laptop, we cant plug the GPU or memory into any other computers, we tried running the computer without the GPU in it and using sound we managed to log into his account on the computer but the computer shut itself off again without any sound, so we dont think it was the HD 6870, we're currently trying the memory all one stick at a time but it still turned off with every single one, so maybe not the memory?

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Hi again,

Yeah, it may not be the memory. I think that the most probable and decisive cause is the Power Supply. I'd suggest getting a new power supply as if you're having power issues, (random shut downs) and it isn't the memory, it could be the power supply with a high probability of me being correct on that.

Kind Regards,

 

[Ticonus]

Hi again,

Yeah, it may not be the memory. I think that the most probable and decisive cause is the Power Supply. I'd suggest getting a new power supply as if you're having power issues, (random shut downs) and it isn't the memory, it could be the power supply with a high probability of me being correct on that.

Kind Regards,

We also think its the PSU, any recommendations on the wattage we will need? it was a thermaltake 875wt

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Hi again,

Yeah, it may not be the memory. I think that the most probable and decisive cause is the Power Supply. I'd suggest getting a new power supply as if you're having power issues, (random shut downs) and it isn't the memory, it could be the power supply with a high probability of me being correct on that.

Kind Regards,

We also think its the PSU, any recommendations on the wattage we will need? it was a thermaltake 875wt

Hi again,

What is the spec of your computer, cpu and gpu etc.

This will help me in finding a PSU that will cater your needs.

Regards,

 

[Ticonus]

Hi again,

Yeah, it may not be the memory. I think that the most probable and decisive cause is the Power Supply. I'd suggest getting a new power supply as if you're having power issues, (random shut downs) and it isn't the memory, it could be the power supply with a high probability of me being correct on that.

Kind Regards,

We also think its the PSU, any recommendations on the wattage we will need? it was a thermaltake 875wt

Hi again,

What is the spec of your computer, cpu and gpu etc.

This will help me in finding a PSU that will cater your needs.

Regards,

Sorry for the not so complete info - he threw away the boxes years ago but from looking at the parts;

AMD Phenom 2
ga-990fxa-ud7 motherboard
16gb Corsair Vengeance LP 4x4 RAM
WD 1TB Green
Sapphire HD 6870 1GB

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Alright,

Based on the information you have given me, you need at least a 500w PSU. I would suggest simply the Corsair CX Builders Series CX500, a pretty reliable psu and company and will power all of your components nicely. The fan on the PSU is pretty quite too (I have this psu so I would know), still going strong after 2 years of use!

Many Thanks!

 

[Ticonus]

Alright,

Based on the information you have given me, you need at least a 500w PSU. I would suggest simply the Corsair CX Builders Series CX500, a pretty reliable psu and company and will power all of your components nicely. The fan on the PSU is pretty quite too (I have this psu so I would know), still going strong after 2 years of use!

Many Thanks!

All-right thanks, so one of these two?

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=22421
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_354&products_id=21569

Or since you said at least 500wt should we go for a 550 or the 600?

 

[NerdyComputerGuy]

Hi again,

550w to 600w would be better since it would leave you some lee way if you ever want to upgrade anything else in your system,

The more expensive one, (the modular one) means that you will have better cable management in the system, the least expensive one, means that all the cables are coming out of the box (PSU) and that you can't connect specific (needed) wires to the PSU.

All in all.

They are both the same, just go with the lesser expensive one and you will be fine since I'm sure you don't look into your case every day (unless you have a case window) which I doubt!

Many thanks!