is it possible at all?

[Dan_Gomez]

I would like to hear opinions about this. its a long and strange story.
2 months ago i bought a new processor & mobo (AthlonXP 2400 & Gigabyte MB) and installed them into my system.
a hour later i've noticed horizonal "ghosts" appearing on my display.
couple of minutes later - and my PSU burnt.
the store i work with replaced the PSU, only so I'll see the problem again - this time the PSU got burnt alot faster, and with it 2 HDD and my burner.
now i replaced everything: the PSU, the mobo (to Abit NF7) and the processor (to Athlon XP2600) - and it happens again.
the only thing that was left is a relatively new Inno3d GeForce TI4200.

can it be the one causing this weird problem?

btw: the same problem was reproduced also at the store - so its not a local electricity problem.

 

[daddywags214]

How much power does that supply have?

These days, no matter what company you like, be it <b>nVidia, ATi, or whatever,</b> no matter how logical your reasons, you're labeled an <b>idiot</b> or a <b>fanboy</b>, or <b>both.</b>

 

[Dan_Gomez]

300W

 

[Willamette_sucks]

300W is the BARE minimum for a setup like yours. What brand was it? If it was a cheap generic brand, that right there could be your problem. You MAY have a faulty video card, which could explain the verticle lines, however, video cards dont burn up your power supply (or at least I've never heard of that!).

This may sound like a really stupid question.. and it is, but I'm asking it because it applies to friend of mine (Jimmy Dean!) who did this with one of his mobos...

When you installed the motherboard, did you use motherboard stands? (metal or plastic things that come with your case, and sometimes motherboard, that raise it off of the motherboard tray so that things don't short out and get screwed!)

Is the motherboard touching any part of the case?

"Mice eat cheese." - Modest Mouse

"Every Day is the Right Day." -Pink Floyd

 

[Crashman]

IT sounds like you're overloading a cheap power supply that doesn't have overload protection. Have you considered buying a high quality power supply instead?

300W on a cheap power supply is more like 250W for a good one. I'd recommend at LEAST a GOOD 350W supply for your system. While a GOOD 300W unit would do the job, I like to have at least SOME room for added loads.

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[Dan_Gomez]

ok. me again.
my 350W PSU is from Sunshine, ATX 7P4-3 - are they any good?

and more importantly:
i just installed a GeForce 2 MX instead of my GF4 TI4200 - and everything works!

how can i know if its the PSU thats now under less pressure, or its a faulty TI4200 ?

 

[davemar14]

Well you could try putting the Ti 4200 in a friend's comp. But that could risk blowing his comp. It seems like its the PSU. A GeForce 2 uses a less power than a GeForce 4. When I was looking for a video card, I only had a 250 watt PSU, so I got a GeForce 2. Then when I built my new system, I got a 430 watt Antec TruePower and a GeForce 4. I would get a new PSU, either an Antec or Enermax, they are both good PSU's.

 

[Crashman]

Sunshine...isn't that a bakery that makes a RITZ like cracker called Hi-Ho's?

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>