Perplexing problem: Mobo or PS?

[MichaelD]

This has gotten bad.

Main rig:
Epox 8K5A2+
XP1600@1750 (10.5x166)
Corsair PC3200
Antec 420W PS

What happens is that you push the power button. The fans spool, lights come on and right as the mobo starts to post, it shuts down completely. You do this three or four times and it boots and runs w/o a hiccup. Once running, I can burn Prime95 while looping 3DMArk and all that crap.

What do you guys think it is? My PS voltage move around a bit.....but I had a 1GHz Athlon "B" on this PS prior, and it ran w/o a hiccup and the voltages didn't move.

could the PS being "going bad" or maybe the BOARD is bad and it's making the PS freak out?

Help please.

 

[MichaelD]

I'm looking at MBM on my server, which uses a 400-watt Antec PS. The voltages aren't fluctuating at ALL. Allright, so I have a power problem w/my main rig...but is it the PS or the mobo?

 

[Cerb]

I have an Enlight 300w PSU...here's my high/low (why can't MBM save more than 1000 entries? 🙂):
12v: +12.40/12.22, -12.60/12.44
5v: +5.05v/4.94v, -5.14/5.14
3.3v: +3.28/3.26
Core 0: 1.74/1.72

If that Antec varies more than that, I'd keep my distance. I ran 3DMark (AF level 8 @1024...beautiful but SLOW) and Prime95 before replying to make sure I gave it a good push.

Try switching the PSUs and see the results. If it does the same, then it would be the board.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks Cerb, anyone else have any ideas?

 

[ChampionAtTufshop]

if its not the psu maybe the voltage regulators on the motherboard are going bad
have you tried with bare minmums to see if its still the same?

 

[MichaelD]

No, I haven't tried disconnecting any drives yet...I guess that's next. One other thing, I just remembered that the PS isn't an Antec it is a "Trupower" PS. The case is a Chieftec (they make Antecs cases). The voltages are jumping all over the place...Windoze is stable, but that nagging startup problem sucks. I guess I"ll be ordering a new PS.

 

[RalfHutter]

Don't suppose you'd want to shut down your server and swap out the PSU for temporary troubleshooting practices?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: RalfHutter
Don't suppose you'd want to shut down your server and swap out the PSU for temporary troubleshooting practices?

I would ..

 

[MichaelD]

Hey guys. Sorry for the late reply; this was a Daddy Weekend and I was hanging out w/my son today. 🙂 Didn't even turn the rig on.

A PS swap is next...I've got a funky feeling it's not the PS, but the mobo. Yes, the voltages ARE banging around, but, this PS powered my server (1GHz TBird "B") 24/7 for months w/o a single hiccup. I know that Epox has been known to have power stability issues....we'll see what a swap brings and I'll take it from there. Thank you very much for all your replies and help. 🙂