New Computer Problem

[rb26dett]

My problem:

I recently purchased components and built myself a new system. It consists of the following parts:
1) MSI 865PE Neo2 Motherboard
2) Intel Pentium 4 2.6C 800 HT
3) 256 x2 PC-400 RAM (DDR config)
4) Western Digital WD-800JB
5) LG GCC 4480B DVD/CDRW
6) ATI AIW 9800 PRO
7) Windows XP Pro SP1a (Academic Version)

Now here's the problem - my computer is crashing like CRAZY. I updated the bios of the motherboard, the ram passed a couple of hours of http://www.memtest86.com/ with no problems. I updated the BIOS of the DVD/CDRW which costed me the drive since it reset during the flash (yes, that was a really stupid idea in retrospect. I should've known better. I'm lucky I didn't lose the mobo).

I have two suspects.
1) The power supply. Got it kind of cheaply. A www.realpcpower.com 450W 3 fan speed PSU. I wanted to borrow my roommate's PSU and hook it up to my computer but he won't let me (jerk). Anyone have had problems with these PSUs / success stories?

2) The ATI AIW 9800 Pro. This one I bought online from e-bay.com. It came in a retail box, everything sealed, looks to be in excellent conidition and functions 100%. However I suspect it because once XP after the crash said the crash was caused by the AIW driver. Error Message: STOP 0x000000EA THREAD_STUCK_IN_DEVICE_DRIVER (Q293078).

Any ideas on what I should do now? I'm thinking i'll just buy a new power supply and hope for the best. Anyone know where I can source a good one hopefully online and hopefully in Canada (although the second one might be a little tough).

Thanks for listening!
Chris

 

[Crashman]

Oh geeze, what kind of RAM is that, mr. twister?

<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>

 

[rb26dett]

Ummm I have no idea. Whatever www.gbcomp.com hands out.

Why 'oh geeze' and who is mr.twister?
I'm not kidding your comments have confused me! lol

 

[Crashman]

Well, uh, that could be problematic. Try underclocking the RAM and see if that cures the problem. If it does, you have a problem with your RAM.

<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>

 

[rb26dett]

Hmmm ok I will try underclocking the RAM.

But I thought that the memtest would indicate that the problem was with something other then the ram ?

 

[Crashman]

Sometimes memory problems occur when the system is more fully loaded due to slight voltage fluctuations and heat.

<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>

 

[coolsquirtle]

omg GBCOMP is the worse F***ing company!!!!

i was looking around their site and i was looking at their VANTEC VGA kit. So i thought i'd punch in my info to see how much it cost and the shipping time and everything. Turns out the price sucked. So i bought it somewhere else. 2 weeks later, Canada post send this package to me, charges me $40 and it turns out I seem to somehow order that Kit from GBcomp. I had to [-peep-] email them 100 times before they reply and they denied receiving any emails = = FINALLY i sent it back and they gave me [-peep-] STORE CREDITS!!! ARG!!!

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy
FX5700Ultra, the next Ti4200? seems so

 

[rb26dett]

Cool ... I've also had a problem communicating with them over e-mail (which he lists as the best way to get in touch). I think the guy is scared of having to answer questions on the phone .. that's why I called him. Keep in mind this guy also runs an online hydroponics thing ...
Can you recommend somewhere canadian to buy online ?

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Can you recommend somewhere canadian to buy online ?

<A HREF="http://www.ncix.ca" target="_new">http://www.ncix.ca</A>

<A HREF="http://www.tigerdirect.ca" target="_new">http://www.tigerdirect.ca</A>

<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/" target="_new">http://www.anitec.ca/</A>

<A HREF="http://www.dangeo.com/" target="_new">http://www.dangeo.com/</A>

Some common sites around here. The first two are probably the biggest and most reliable. But more is better for price comparison purposes. Depending on where you are, perhaps some other sites would be more accessible.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

<b>-NEW PIC IN THGC ALBUM-</b>

 

[rb26dett]

merci kind grape!

 

[rb26dett]

Seems my first time posting this didn't make it through. Well here's try #2.

Well I went out and bought a 'StarTech' 300W PSU with the intention of returning it if it didn't solve the problem. While swapping the two I noticed the '450W' unit weighed about 1/3 the StarTech. Hmmmmmmmm.
Guess what? System has been running stable for 24hours now, ripping / encoding stuff from the ATI TV tuner, playing DX9.0a games etc ...

Summery: Avoid www.realpcpower.com!

Thanks for all the help and ideas guys.