New p4 2.8c system... random shutdowns... psu problems?

[jhbball]

Yo guys, I've been purchasing items over the last month now for a 2.8 system I've been building, and I finally got around to throwing everything together tonight. I installed windows xp pro without a hitch, but when it restarted, and booted into windows, it shut down as it began, loading the cursor and the icons.

Here's my specs..

P4 2.8c
Abit IS7
2x512 Geil 4200
9800np
Audigy 2 Platinum eX
NIC
WD 250 gig 7200 rpm hd
**250w 'powerman' psu**
5 case fans, including zalman 7000 hsf (plugged into mobo header)
1x sunbeam cathode

Before building this system, I was thinking that a 250w may be too little to power such a system. (but it was the only psu i had lying around with a p4 connector). My question is, does this sound like a psu problem? Or maybe is the hd at fault? Has anyone experienced similar symptoms?

 

[pyrojunkie]

It sounds like the PSU definitely. A PSU that isn't up to the challenge will cause random reboots, just like if someone were turning the power switch to your computer on and off and back on again.

 

[stevty2889]

I agree, sounds like a PSU problem. I had the same problems with a 400w Powermax PSU. May want do try disconnecting some of those fans and the sunbeam cathode, and if your Radeon 9800 uses a power connector too, maybe throw in an old video card temporarily to see if it reduces the amount of random reboots, thats a lot of stuff connected to the 12v rail..

 

[jhbball]

excellent, thanks for the feedback gents. I have a 350w enermax scheduled to arrive in a few days, so I'm hoping that will fix the problem. Meanwhile, I'll try your suggestions. thanks

 

[Gravity]

I'm not so sure of that. It sounds reasonable. What about heat? Is your HSF connected right? Make sure it's not tilted or canted on the cpu. Heat can shut you down easily too. Otherwise, your psu will prolly solve the issue.

 

[jhbball]

well, bad news... i tried another 300w i had, and still no go. It happens every time I get to windows the first time.... maybe something is shorting? I'm almost positive I applied the artic silver correctly? Is it supposed to go in the "hole" on the shim? argghhh...

 

[pyrojunkie]

Is it shutting down randomly or always at the same spot?

 

[jhbball]

same spot. also, after taking everything out of my case, i was finally able to reinstall windows... but now there's another problem. The drive was originaly partioned in two parts. I stored everything that i wanted to save on the second partition, and formatted the the first partition, to reinstall windows. Upon reinstalling (after doing the setup in the bios, it asked me if i wanted to chkdsk... so i did... now for whatever reason, I can't access any of my files. It says "volume d: access is denied" whenever i open anything. Is there any way to fix this and get access to those files?