question about program

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
Is there a program to tell you the wattage of your powersupply and if your system is getting sufficient power? I really need to know because my computer is displaying the symptoms of power shortage.
 

FlyingPenguin

Golden Member
Nov 1, 2000
1,793
0
0
No. You can only tell indirectly by measuring voltages. If you're drawing to much power on one of the rails then the voltage will drop below minimum spec (5% of the rated voltage).

The only reliable method to check voltage is with a digital multimeter meter. Onboard voltage monitors are notoriously unreliable.

 

Scott66

Senior member
Feb 7, 2004
501
0
0
As far as I know there is no actual program that gives you information on the limits of your power supply but bios and some programs measure the rails 12,5,3.3 volts. If they are out by more than 5% and are fluctuating than you likely have a power supply either failing or not sufficient. Also wattage claims by PSU makers can be misleading as temperature has a huge effect on the amount of power PSU can deliver and many claims are at 20 degrees C. A 10 degree increase can cause the power output to be cut in half.
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
I don't understand how to use the program to measure the rails. Can you explain more to me?
 

Scott66

Senior member
Feb 7, 2004
501
0
0
See flying penguins comments on how reliable these monitor software is but they can show you trends. Power supplies provide 3 different voltages( 12 volt for motherboards and most devices, 5 volts and 3.3 volts) 12 volts is the most important in the newer systems. In your BIOS there is a section that states how much voltage is being measured for each of the three voltages (these are called rails). A multimeter is the most accurate way to measure the voltages because you actually physically measure the rails but it requires some skill and caution.
 

Scott66

Senior member
Feb 7, 2004
501
0
0
If for example your 12 volt is showing only 11.3 volts. It is considerd OK to be within 5%
11.4-12.6 for 12 Volts
4.8-5.2 for 5 Volts
3.1-3.5 for 3 Volts
 

Hairboy

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2005
8
0
0
the MSI CoreCenter shows you wattage on your system and has an alarm for low wattage, I had that problem to and the problem was that the 24 pin power cable was almost out so check your cabling.
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
athlon xp 3000+ 333mhz

MSI geforce 4 ti 4800se

512 MB kingston ddr 400 ram

1 samsung 40GB 7200rpm 2MB

1 samsung 52*32*52 cd rewriter

1 floppy

1 casefan

Abit NF7-S2

Very cheap 300W power supply with a bad brand (Max Power)

The computer is VERY slow when installing programs and drivers. The internet freezes sometimes and error messages pop up. The computer restarts when updating like installing drivers. Are these signs of power shortages?
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
the voltages are around

11.85
4.97
3.28

But the voltages are fluctuation very quickly though.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
1) Buy a decent-quality power supply with adequate wattage, perhaps one of these if you do not need major forward compatibility

2) Install it

3) Scan your computer for security problems using Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and some reputable antivirus and antispyware software, if problems persist. Or even if they don't. ;)
 

Scott66

Senior member
Feb 7, 2004
501
0
0
I concur with mechBgon about getting a better power supply as you are seeing fluctuations and your symptoms
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
I'm posting here because I'm hoping for someone to tell me how to make sure that it is the power supply and not something else that's defective. I'm hoping to make sure that if I get a new PS then the system will work flawlessly instead of same problems occuring and later finding out that it's something else. Is abit a good brand? I'm now suspecting that the motherboard is poor. I have just installed windows today on a new hard drive so there shouldn't be any viruses. Thanks.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
Originally posted by: dsj
I'm posting here because I'm hoping for someone to tell me how to make sure that it is the power supply and not something else that's defective.
Bad-quality power supplies should be replaced regardless. That's my opinion, anyway. They're so inexpensive that it is hardly worth your time to post this thread and wonder, instead of replacing it and eliminating it as a possibility.
Is abit a good brand?
They've had their ups and downs, but the NF7-S rev. 2.0 has a good reputation.
I have just installed windows today on a new hard drive so there shouldn't be any viruses.
Do you have a router to provide firewall protection during the vulnerable freshly-installed stage (assuming you have broadband)? Or does your CD have Service Pack 2 onboard already? Do you have antivirus software installed, configured and updated?

edit: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/ATX12V.JPG <-- you got this plugged in, right?
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
Originally posted by: mechBgon
Originally posted by: dsj
I'm posting here because I'm hoping for someone to tell me how to make sure that it is the power supply and not something else that's defective.
Bad-quality power supplies should be replaced regardless. That's my opinion, anyway. They're so inexpensive that it is hardly worth your time to post this thread and wonder, instead of replacing it and eliminating it as a possibility.
Is abit a good brand?
They've had their ups and downs, but the NF7-S rev. 2.0 has a good reputation.
I have just installed windows today on a new hard drive so there shouldn't be any viruses.
Do you have a router to provide firewall protection during the vulnerable freshly-installed stage (assuming you have broadband)? Or does your CD have Service Pack 2 onboard already? Do you have antivirus software installed, configured and updated?
I'm using windows ME. I do use broadband with a router sharing 3 computers. That power supply is more expensive here in canada. It's close to 100 canadian dollars. I'm looking for a smaller powersupply but made by a better brand than mine.

 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
Fortron has a good reputation and is not so expensive, scroll down to FSP Group USA on this page at NCIX.com. They have some listed starting at about CA$37 for 300W units :)
 

Hairboy

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2005
8
0
0
Your best bet is to save your important stuff and use a gost or reinstall Windows. And before buying a new PSU you should definatly """""buy'''''''' a better OS >.> (Windows XP costs less on e-mule)
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
In 3D mark 2001se, after the first racing test, the system freezes and leaves me a black screen. Is that a power shortage problem? And what is a decent power supply for my system? Is 300w forton enough? This one I have now is also 300 W. Thanks.
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
Originally posted by: Hairboy
Your best bet is to save your important stuff and use a gost or reinstall Windows. And before buying a new PSU you should definatly """""buy'''''''' a better OS >.> (Windows XP costs less on e-mule)

I already have a win xp for my athlon 64 system. I don't want to get another one.
 

Hairboy

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2005
8
0
0
I say your PSU is ok until there is smoke coming out of it of the fan just runs out like mine, I've had a CD reader that sounded better than a Harley and a PSU smelt like burnt rubber but i always ran smoothly, your voltage is ok, im almost certain this problem is software. But if your realy out for a new PSU www.NCIX.com is a very good site from vancouver and www.tigerdirect.ca is really good 2, www.bigfootcomputers.com isint cheap but they have some nifty SilenX PSUs.
 

dsj

Senior member
May 2, 2005
521
0
0
I got a bluescreen for using the internet. The error code is OE:017F:BFF8EAAB What does that mean?