Is this a PSU problem or mobo problem - blank screen?
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I bought the ECS K7S5A PRO Ver 5.0 from newegg.com and a PSU. Here's the system:
ECS K7S5A PRO (ver. 5.0) BIOS version 030110 (AMD APPROVED)
Sparkle FSP350-60BT power supply with +3.3 & +5.0 = 220W (brand new)
(1) 256MB of PC133 (passed 15 loops of MemTest86 at CAS 3 with BIOS default)
AMD Athlon XP +1800 Retail (running at 133/133)
chaintech agp Nvidia TNT2 M64 32MB
DVD ROM & CDRW
Windows XP (Clean Install)
Temperature: CPU - idle is 29-31C, SETI,gaming,video,imaging is 30-35C; case is 25-28C (all time); room temp is 60-65F sometimes lower or higher than the range.
With the Sparkle FSP350-60BT PSU (very good spec here www.sparklepower.com/pdf/...T(12V).pdf ), the mobo doesn't boot well (it worked well for a week or so and then the symptom started). All I get is a blank screen with the drives cycling on and off; even at bare minimum with just RAM and video card.
I then switched the Sparkle for a PowMax Model LP 8800C DC Output: +3.3=18A; +5.0=30A; +12.0=25A; Total = 350W max that came with my case. Spec is here www.powmax.com/POWERSUPPL...L-PAGE.htm ). Note that it's just a general spec and it's a single fan and I've no clue if it has fan speed or not. The above spec is from the label on the PSU. It worked wonderfully at 133/133 everytime I turned on the computer (with RAM and video card only). I then loaded the computer with everything (tv tuner, sound card, 1 hd, 1 cdrw, 1 dvd). I turned it on then I got the same problem. I turned it off then on - it booted up with the BIOS screen and booted into Windows - with no problem. BTW, the PowMax is very light compared to the Sparkle (too light to be good???).
Now, I've a 50-50 chance (seems like so although I don't keep count) on my first try at booting the computer. If the first time doesn't, then the second time always work. I notice it boots better when the temperature is higher than when it's colder (although I'm not sure). I'm starting to get more frequent boot up on my first try and doesn't need a second try.
The PowMax +3.3 is at +3.20 and the +5.0 is around +4.98-5.03. The +3.3 sometimes dips to +3.184 for a couple of seconds then comes back to +3.20. The Sparkle is always within 1% of +3.3 and +5.0, very good, but doesn't work!!!
I tested with another PSU (one that has a 250W max with +3.3 & +5.0 = 120W & designed for my older Athlon 550) and it worked with just RAM and video card. I didn't tested with everything since I didn't want to cause more troubles.
I then switched back to the Sparkle and the same problem even at bare minimum even after several tries. I tested the Sparkle on my Athlon 550 and it booted with no problem everytime. I'm at a loss. I've no idea which one is the cause.
So, is this a Sparkle PSU or PSU problem or mobo problem? Should I get it (the Sparkle or the mobo) RMA since it's pretty new? IMPORTANT: Once the computer is running, there're no crashes, no freezes, or sudden restart - it just works stable even with imaging, video editing, gaming, and SETI. Just have dang start up problem with the Sparkle, which I'm not sure if it's the cause since it worked my older Athlon system, but the mobo works with this cheaper and assuming, inferior quality. Probably a bad Sparkle PSU I received???
***I don't have the lost CMOS problem like some others do.
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I bought the ECS K7S5A PRO Ver 5.0 from newegg.com and a PSU. Here's the system:
ECS K7S5A PRO (ver. 5.0) BIOS version 030110 (AMD APPROVED)
Sparkle FSP350-60BT power supply with +3.3 & +5.0 = 220W (brand new)
(1) 256MB of PC133 (passed 15 loops of MemTest86 at CAS 3 with BIOS default)
AMD Athlon XP +1800 Retail (running at 133/133)
chaintech agp Nvidia TNT2 M64 32MB
DVD ROM & CDRW
Windows XP (Clean Install)
Temperature: CPU - idle is 29-31C, SETI,gaming,video,imaging is 30-35C; case is 25-28C (all time); room temp is 60-65F sometimes lower or higher than the range.
With the Sparkle FSP350-60BT PSU (very good spec here www.sparklepower.com/pdf/...T(12V).pdf ), the mobo doesn't boot well (it worked well for a week or so and then the symptom started). All I get is a blank screen with the drives cycling on and off; even at bare minimum with just RAM and video card.
I then switched the Sparkle for a PowMax Model LP 8800C DC Output: +3.3=18A; +5.0=30A; +12.0=25A; Total = 350W max that came with my case. Spec is here www.powmax.com/POWERSUPPL...L-PAGE.htm ). Note that it's just a general spec and it's a single fan and I've no clue if it has fan speed or not. The above spec is from the label on the PSU. It worked wonderfully at 133/133 everytime I turned on the computer (with RAM and video card only). I then loaded the computer with everything (tv tuner, sound card, 1 hd, 1 cdrw, 1 dvd). I turned it on then I got the same problem. I turned it off then on - it booted up with the BIOS screen and booted into Windows - with no problem. BTW, the PowMax is very light compared to the Sparkle (too light to be good???).
Now, I've a 50-50 chance (seems like so although I don't keep count) on my first try at booting the computer. If the first time doesn't, then the second time always work. I notice it boots better when the temperature is higher than when it's colder (although I'm not sure). I'm starting to get more frequent boot up on my first try and doesn't need a second try.
The PowMax +3.3 is at +3.20 and the +5.0 is around +4.98-5.03. The +3.3 sometimes dips to +3.184 for a couple of seconds then comes back to +3.20. The Sparkle is always within 1% of +3.3 and +5.0, very good, but doesn't work!!!
I tested with another PSU (one that has a 250W max with +3.3 & +5.0 = 120W & designed for my older Athlon 550) and it worked with just RAM and video card. I didn't tested with everything since I didn't want to cause more troubles.
I then switched back to the Sparkle and the same problem even at bare minimum even after several tries. I tested the Sparkle on my Athlon 550 and it booted with no problem everytime. I'm at a loss. I've no idea which one is the cause.
So, is this a Sparkle PSU or PSU problem or mobo problem? Should I get it (the Sparkle or the mobo) RMA since it's pretty new? IMPORTANT: Once the computer is running, there're no crashes, no freezes, or sudden restart - it just works stable even with imaging, video editing, gaming, and SETI. Just have dang start up problem with the Sparkle, which I'm not sure if it's the cause since it worked my older Athlon system, but the mobo works with this cheaper and assuming, inferior quality. Probably a bad Sparkle PSU I received???
***I don't have the lost CMOS problem like some others do.
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