MSI K7PRO dying while gaming

[Othello]

Problem: Whenever I play a 3D game (UT, Q3Ademo, Quakeworld) for any length of time (>1h) the computer just dies. I hear this 0.5 sec "chirping" sound in my headphones and the whole thing shuts down. The screen goes black, I believe the HDD and all fans power down (can´t remember just now, will update next time it happens), all the diagnostic LED:s go red, ATX onoff or reset buttons do nothing and sometimes even turning the powersupply off or disconnecting the AC won´t get it to boot up again. To boot it I have removed the CPU, turned power on and off, replaced CPU, then it works. It could be that I just have to wait for some automatic fuse to reset though because sometimes it works just waiting a while. It happens faster if i immediately boot it up and continue playing.

Things i´ve tried: All 3 RAM slots, moving NIC and soundcard to different PCI slots, updating to latest BIOS, lots of different BIOS settings including higher CAS settings (3), disabling stuff in BIOS (USB etc), running it with the case open and closed, the AMD driver pack 1.00 and without it.

Stuff in the box: Seventeam ST-250GL, MSI K7 PRO, Athlon 600, Asus TNT2M64, Soundblaster PCI 128, Realtek 8029 NIC, IBM GXP34 20MB, Samsung 48X CD, 64MB generic PC-100, Floppy drive of unknown origin.

I am beginning to suspect the P/S. It is not on AMD´s approved list for this CPU. Also the MSI D-LED´s going all red would suggest the P/S I gather from reading the D-LED sticker in the case. CPU, video card are warm but not scorching. The thing beneath the green heatsink however (northbridge? southbridge?) hurts if I touch it for more than 5-10 seconds.
Another point of interest was that I had to ground the CPU heatsink with a lead to the chassis. If not grounded it would crash instantly when touching it. Go figure. I´m guessing static electricity. I dont have another P/S to try right now.

Ok, there you have it. Knock yourselves out. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mem]

I would install a good AMD approved 300w PSU,& check your cooling as well,then I would take it from there.

 

[Othello]

Thanks for your input.
You are probably right about the power supply. I´ll try swapping it for the P/S in my Aopen LX45 which I _think_ is Athlon certified (I dont have it around just now, can anyone confirm this?).
Strangely enough I´ve been running Q3A bot wars a couple of hours without lockup now. All I did was lower the CPU voltage to 1.40 Volts. Never heard of a computer running better on lower voltage but I guess it´s some kind of power consumption deal

 

[Mem]

Go here for AMD recommended PSU List, click here

 

[JimmyZ]

Really sounds like the power supply. Even with my Powerman 300, I can't leave it plugged into the wall with out being on from more than two days. It is a weird thing. If I do, when I go to turn it on, it doesn't do anything. I have to unplug it and wait for the circuit to reset itself...then it's fine.

Not really a problem, I use a power strip anyway..and make sure there is no power going to it.

Damn ATX pw supplies,

J

 

[Othello]

Mem: I can´t confirm the P/S in my Aopen case since their webpage doesn´t specifically say what P/S this case has, and my case is for the time being not where I am so I can´t check it
I´m sure it will sort itself out though, and if not I´ll just have to get another P/S. Still if anyone knows what model P/S is in the LX45 feel free to post it.
Thanks for all your help guys.