Computers Keep Failing

[Andyman53]

I have a few computers that I've built for myself. They're MSI Mega 180's. They run p4 533fsb and maxtor hd's and kingston value ram. I've had 3 computers so far just konk out and die. They will suddenly not start up one day. You'll press the power button and the light will flicker and then it'll just die. Take the plug out and plug it back in, you get the demo screen, HIFI part works fine, but try and swich on the pc and it just flickers and goes out.

On any normal computer this would mean that the motherboard is blown or the cpu is acting up. I have reason to believe that its the motherboard because thats what its' been for the last two. Replacing the motherboard requires you to replace the entire case and psu and radio chipset. Has anyone had any expereience with this? What would you suggest I do? They might be in warranty but i'm not sure.

I've seen this happen with LOTS of SFF's. Any comments on this issue itself?

TIA.

 

[mechBgon]

Not to be a troll or anything, but +3 for non-proprietary designs. Stuff might fail, but at least you have a chance of fixing it with a little testing. Consider building a microATX system from components, maybe?

 

[pkme2]

One of the biggest repairs at my friend's computer shop is PSU replacement. Those PSUs were underpowered for the computer systems and sometimes burned out mobos, harddrives etc.
Some people just try to use cheap replacement PSUs and WOW, same problem again. If your system cost $1500 or more, you mean to say that you can't buy a Fortron, Enermax or Seasonic to protect your system.
Read about the power supply threads on AnandTech. If that doesn't set in, you're on your own.

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Power Supplies have over voltage, over current etc protective circuits. If you have to unplug the AC power to get it going then either the PSU is defective or something in your system is drawing too much current. The protective circuit shuts down the PSU and removing the AC is the only way to reset it. Absolutely nothing happens when you try to start if that's the case. Good Luck, Jim

 

[Andyman53]

Yeah, if you unplug and reset the device, it'll flicker again then go out. So i'm assuming its the PSU? I guess i could just replace the psu, but i'm debating if I just wanna throw the working components into a microATX case... However if i do that, I lose the windows license....

I'll probably use the same chipset to keep the data, but what happens to the license even if i use the same chipset?

EDIT: My real dillemma here is whether to buy another MEGA 180 (if i can find one) or replace the PSU. IS it the psu or the mobo? The hifi part of the radio starts up fine. That probably doesn't mean anything to us however, since the hifi takes all of 5w of power.

 

[acole1]

...you can always renew the windows liscence. Just tell them you put in some new hardware, and DO NOT mention you are using a new motherboard.

I would just replace the PSU.