Computer Hardlocks

[tdawg]

Hi All,

So this past week my computer has begun hard-locking where whatever is on the screen just freezes, mouse and keyboard become unresponsive, and any sound playing gets stuck.

System: Antec Sonata w/ Antec 380w PSU, MSI nForce3, Athlon 64 3000+ w/ stock cooler, ATI x850pro, 1.5gb ram, 3 hdds, 2 optical drives, Vista Ultimate 32-bit. I'm in the process of building a new core 2 system, but I need this computer to keep working so I can pass it on to my parents.

I thought it may be because of the heat, but I've taken off the side panel and aimed a house fan at it, but it's still unreliable. I think I've narrowed it down to either my PSU or my CPU cooling fan. My NB fan doesn't spin reliably, but I'm not overclocking or anything so I didn't think that was much of a problem. I've also used ATI Tool to crank my GPU fan to 100%, but the system still locked up.

PSU: According to the BIOS, my voltages seem to be getting worse (3.3v @ 2.89, 12v @ 11.78, 5v @ 4.89, if I remember correctly).

CPU: BIOS reports temp after restarting from hardlock at around 47C.

Are the voltages fluctuating too low to keep the system working (is this considered vdroop)?Is my processor getting too hot? My BIOS is set to protect the CPU if it gets above 60C, I think, but that would just shut down the computer rather than locking it up, right?

So I guess I'm looking for confirmation that it's the PSU. I'm going to replace it tonight with a spare one I have, but if it could be something else that I'm not thinking of, please let me know.

Thanks,
Trevor

 

[pdqcarrera]

380 watts seems kinda on the light side for that much hardware, no?

 

[tdawg]

It does, but when I bought it a few years ago, I didn't understand PSUs all that much. Also, this things been going strong since march with vista and even longer since adding the x850pro, with no problems.

I don't know, maybe it's a software issue? I can't imagine it's a virus due to Vista's UAC and such and I haven't actively installed questionable software, but who knows. Maybe some sort of software incompatibility cropped up? I guess I'll find out after switching PSUs. I've got a 430w Enermax just sitting in a box, so hopefully that'll fix this.