Need Troubleshooting Help

[c3p0]

I hope this is the correct place to post this request. Anyway, I have an older system I donated to the in-laws. It consists of a fairly generic ATX case with 250 watt PS, ABIT BE6 motherboard, PIII 450 CPU, Generic Video Card, Soundblaster 16 Sound card, Intel Ethernet Card and 192 meg of PC133 SDRAM. It also has a fairly new Maxtor 10 gig HD, and a generic CDROM and Floppy.

The problem is it locks up frequently or shuts its self down. At first I thought it was overheating. But I think I have eliminated that as the problem. Then I thought the hard drive was going bad. So i bought the fairly new Maxtor 10 gig and reloaded all the software. Problem is still there. Now I installed a program called Motherboard Monitor to watch the Temperatures and voltages. The temperatures are 28 - 30 c for the MB and 38 - 40 c for the CPU. But I discovered that the -5 volt reading is -3.06 and highlighted in RED.

Could this be the source of my problems??????? If so, is it a motherboard problem or power supply problem?????

I am not very good with electricity. We don't get along very well. So I am looking for as simple a solution as possible. I don't see me inside this case with a voltmeter unless absolutely necessary.

All advice is welcome.

 

[Woody419]

You can test your power supply with a ATX power supply tester. A new Antec quiet power supply would be an excellent replacement choice and good for your peace of mind.

If a new ps does not fix the problem, look closely at the motherboard. Are the capacitors leaking black goop? Abit has an excellent return policy for bad motherboards, and a long warranty...2-3 years in most cases. RMA's are free if you have the receipt, and a few bucks if you don't.

 

[c3p0]

Thanks Woody419. I guess I was just trying to eliminate one or the other. I can replace the power supply and hope its not the motherboard. I couldn't RMA the motherboard because I bought it from someone else on this forum a couple of years ago.

The main thing I am trying to determine is which component determins the voltage output? Does the motherboard control it, or does the power supply control it? That might give me an idea of which one to replace first.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Woody419]

You don't need a receipt to RMA an Abit board, it is just cheaper by $25 if you happen to have one.

I would guess the ps determines all the voltages, the mb and peripherals uses as much as they need up to the ps limit.

 

[RustyNale]

c3p0, from what you've told us, looks like the psu is the culprit. I'd get a 300W and install it.

 

[c3p0]

Thanks for your responses. I am going to pull the power supply from the wifes system and put it in the in-laws and see it that corrects the problem. That way I'll know what I need to replace. Thanks again!!