Odd computer problems...

[ruffilb]

Specs:

Geforce 5700FX
2gb Samsung RDRAM
Intel d850emv2 mobo
Intel p4 2.4 ghz processor
120gb 5200RPM hdd

What should I do with this thing? Also, can you guys make a brief list of things that might be wrong with it? I already cleaned it out ... it was really dirty (4 years, 2 states)

I seriously doubt it could be cooling. I installed a new HSF about 10 months ago, and it runs great. Temperatures show around 35c idle, which isn't bad for the system, imho.

Since I'm building another computer, I hooked my new PSU up to it - 600W OCZ Powerstream. In the process of booting up, it hangs and says "Boot Failure: System Halted" - Didn't do this with the old PSU, a Powmax 300W. Perhaps I hooked something up wrong? The OCZ PSU also showed a slight (5-10%) increase on the 12v rail... but I don't think that this would cause a system-ending error, and it's designed to shut off if it gets 10+% overvoltage on any rail, so I don't think it's the PSU.

So... what does that leave? I could have a virus, or something, but who knows... Odd behavior for a virus, if so.

Any suggestions? Although I am building a new computer, I still need this one to run!

Thanks,
Ruff_ilb

 

[stevty2889]

By not booting up, you mean won't boot in to windows, or won't stay powered on? Sounds like your OS is corrupted, I would run hard drive utilities to make sure your drive isn't going bad. I am more suprised it ran ok on a 300w powmax, since they are generic, but did you try putting the old PSU back in since it started acting up with the new one? I would also run memtest. 2 Gigs of RDRAM?!?!? That must have cost quite a bit..

 

[Slikkster]

First, go into your bios setup and make a note of current settings. Then:

I would clear the CMOS on the motherboard (usually just a jumper pin moved from one set of pins to another...see your manual).

Then, once the CMOS (bios) is cleared, go back into the bios and make sure it's detecting your hard drive correctly. Make any other settings changes you need to.

Try booting again into Windows.

Also, reseat all cables and power connectors to the devices. You swapped power supplies,which means you removed and replaced power connectors and probably IDE cables. Make sure you replaced them correctly and snuggly. Make sure the IDE cables are oriented correctly...Red Strip (or blue stripe) to Pin 1 on the device(s).

Plug the 12V smaller power connector to the motherboard, as well as the larger power connector from the PS.

 

[ruffilb]

Ouch. Well, with the old PSU it booted fine about 30% of the time, then just locked up completely after about 2-5 minutes. With the new PSU, it won't do anything at all except give me the stupid boot error. I'll try flashing CMOS and will see what happens. I'll also swap up the memory, mix up the sticks.

 

[mechBgon]

You remembered to get your square 4-pin ATX12V power cable plugged in, right? Also, that's one old motherboard, it may be on its way to The Great ATX Case In The Sky. I wouldn't be counting on a 4-year-old desktop board as indispensable

 

[ruffilb]

Yes, I did plug in the ATX12V Pin. Everything is hooked up properly, I can pretty much safely say.

And yea, I may need a new board. That computer has been run into the ground, and then some. Last time I checked, on that scale, its about 3/4ths way to China.

But... It may be a software error. Any way to find out?

 

[ruffilb]

Sorry for double post. You reset CMOS by taking the battery out, correct? Also, should I take the bios jumper off of the mobo?

 

[montag451]

And unplug the power cable from the computer.
The jumper should have 2 settings - CLRCMOS or parked.
ie
pins 12 might be CLRCMOS
pins 23 might be parked
OR Vice Versa

 

[ruffilb]

I assume recovery is clear CMOS?

It has 3 settings: Normal, Configure, and Recovery.

 

[montag451]

If there are 3 pins, and there should be, then
you can only join 2 pins at a time.
12
or
23

Look in your mobo manual

 

[ruffilb]

I flashed the CMOS and it now appears to be working fine with the new PSU. I'm p95-ing now.

Thx guys!

 

[Slikkster]

Congrats. To be clear, it sounds like you "cleared" your CMOS (bios), vs. "Flashing" it.

Flashing normally involves using a boot disk and a flash utility program, which first erases your CMOS programming, then writes a different file's programming to it.

If you just moved the jumper pin to "clear cmos" on the motherboard, you really just shorted the pins and cleared the previously configured settings. The motherboard would then reboot to it's default parameters (vs. any custom parameters you had set in the cmos/bios before).

 

[ruffilb]

Thanks for the clarification.