New NF3 system shuts down randomly.

[BlueWeasel]

I'm having a problem with a system I recently built for a friend. We built the system on Saturday and it randomly shuts down.

Here's his sytem:
- ECS Nforce3 (no BIOS update...new out of the box from Outpost)
- Sempron 3100+ (Palermo, not overclocked with Coolermaster HSF)
- 2x512MB Corsair ValueSelect (Auto settings in BIOS...2T is fine)
- Radeon 9500 Pro
- SB Live PCI Sound card (onboard sound disabled in BIOS)
- 160GB PATA HD
- NEC DVD Burner
- Kingwin 350W PSU

The ECS NF3 board and Sempron are part of the Outpost combo. Everything seems to be running great, except the system will just shutoff randomly. There's no pattern...sometimes it turns off while installing software, or it may turn off while doing absolutely nothing. The system boots into XP SP2 just fine, and it's usually 20-30 minutes before a shutdown occurs.

The system idles in the lower 30's and I've got a 80mm intake fan with a 120mm exhaust fan plus the 120mm fan in the PSU. The voltage readings in the BIOS seem stable and the 350W PSU got decent reviews.

I know it seems like a PSU issue because of the random shutdown, but I'm thinking it could be something else since the problem doesn't always occur during full load on either the PSU or CPU. Also, with minimal hardware installed, I know I'm not pushing the 350W PSU to the max.

I'll probably test the RAM using MemTest, but anything else I should be investigating?

Also, he lives in a older house -- could faulty wiring (without a surge protector currently) or inconsistent power be a problem, even though the systems powers up fine?

I'm using a Nvidia Remix set of drivers that have worked great on other NF3 boards -- I might try uninstalling and using the latest v5.10 drivers.

I've got an Antec 350W PSU that I know works fine that we may try.

 

[PurdueRy]

A lifer using a Kingwin PSU? What is going on!?

Yes, start with the PSU, that is most likely the problem.

 

[deadken]

I ran the same combo in my Sons rig with an Antec 300W PSU. Granted it was only for a few days (it did pass P95 for over 13hours), but it allowed me to run it until my new PS came and my son got my 'old' Antec True 480W. What I am trying to say is..... Start with the Antec 350 you have. I agree with "PurdueRy".

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
A lifer using a Kingwin PSU? What is going on!?

Yes, start with the PSU, that is most likely the problem.

Well, the PSU was given to me a few months ago by a friend of a friend who didn't exactly make an educated purchase and ended up going with a different PSU.

My friend (of this system) basically wanted an ultra budget system, but didn't want to get a cheap prebuilt system. So, I thought I'd give the Kingwin a try....might have been a mistake.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
A lifer using a Kingwin PSU? What is going on!?

Yes, start with the PSU, that is most likely the problem.

Well, the PSU was given to me a few months ago by a friend of a friend who didn't exactly make an educated purchase and ended up going with a different PSU.

My friend (of this system) basically wanted an ultra budget system, but didn't want to get a cheap prebuilt system. So, I thought I'd give the Kingwin a try....might have been a mistake.

I typically stick with Forton-Source, Seasonic, and PCP&C depending on the build.

A 300 watt unit from any of the above would run that fine and hopefully solve your problems.

 

[lsimpson50]

I have the outpost 3100/Nforce3 combo teamed with a Radeon 9500 Pro and Corsair Value Select 512 X 2 ram. No overclocking.

The 300W generic psu that came with my lite-on case (couple years old) worked for a few days and then gave up totally. No fans, beeps, lights - nothing.

I installed a 350W Enhance unit I had sitting around and all has run fine for 6 weeks or so.

 

[BFG10K]

I might try uninstalling and using the latest v5.10 drivers.

Yes - do that.

 

[dman]

Did you check XP Event logs? Perhaps there's a clue in there (long shot).

 

[CorrND]

My first instinct is to blame the mobo. I bought a similar combo with this motherboard from Fry's and the first one was defective. I couldn't get that board to stay on for more than a minute before it would spontaneously shutdown. I took it back the same day to get a replacement and it's been running fine for about a month now.

However, since you indicate that it stays on for 20-30 minutes, I think I'd have to go with the everybody else and blame the PSU first.

(never completely rule out a defective ECS motherboard though!)

 

[CuriousMike]

How about booting into safe mode, and surf the internet for 30 minutes.
See if it still happens.

If it still happens, it might be hardware.

If it doesn't happen, it's likely software.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Unfortunately, the system is at my friend's house and I'm an hour away. Most of this stuff is easy even for him, and he watched enough on Saturday for me to talk him through changing the PSU.

 

[zagood]

Start with the surge protector. If he's got an old house with wiring that's falling apart get a good one. Combination of unstable power from the wall and a not-so-reliable power supply is a pretty bad one.

Then follow CuriousMike's advice.

Go from there.

-z

 

[deadken]

Originally posted by: zagood
Start with the surge protector. If he's got an old house with wiring that's falling apart get a good one. Combination of unstable power from the wall and a not-so-reliable power supply is a pretty bad one.

Then follow CuriousMike's advice.

Go from there.

-z

Perhaps you mean for him to get an UPS?

I'd think that a UPS would be the only way that 'unstable power' from the house wouldn't surge or drop... Personally, I'd still stick with swapping the PS first, though...