takes 3 tries each time to get computer running?

[beserker15]

when i hit the power button, the power will turn on but nothin will show up. pressing the restart button won't do anythin either, i have to shut it off and turn it back on really quick, then everything will show up but with a bunch of artifacts(which is not created by heat from the video card...), i have to restart one more time and then it works normal and artifacts are gone... i have a feeling it might by a psu problem(mine is a 430watt linkworld psu). bios tells me votlages are for the +12v line its +12.70v and for the +5v line, it's +5.15v.

 

[mechBgon]

That symptom does often point to a power-supply problem, yeah. Do you have a high-quality 300W+ power supply that you could use for testing? Or can you unplug some non-essential drives and cards as a fact-finding step, to see what happens when you reduce the power demands of the computer?

 

[beserker15]

do those voltages i put look right? it basically first started when i switched my lite on 411s dvdrw drive to a nec 2500a. but since the 2500a works perfect once windows is loaded, i don't think it's the drive's fault unless it eats away more power than the liteon. i've tried unplugging a couple of fans and my green ccfl but it's still the same. anyway have experience with linkworld psu?

 

[imported_Mavros]

I had this exact same problem and it was my video card. I swapped a known good vid card in and then no problems restarting or booting up.

 

[beserker15]

can't be a vid card problem...i have a 9500 and i can run fine in games for hours artifact free. sides, i haven't done anything to the card anytime recently. also i have tried putting back in the 411s dvdrw drive to replace the 2500a and windows loads up fine. so my question is, what caused the 2500a to do what it did? it's not malfunctioning, is it just eating more power than my 411s?

 

[imported_Mavros]

Ok well this was my prob.....I would turn my computer on and the pc would boot but no image to the monitor. What i would have to do is restart it a few times quickly in a row. Then i would get video but it was very pixelated so i restart one more time and everything is fine. I came across a spare video card and swapped it in and no more video problems. Just thought i would post it because it sounded like a similar scenario.

 

[beserker15]

well, i know its vid card related, however my theory is that the 2500a somehow is sucking more power than the 411s therefore leaving the radeon 9500 craving for more power....

 

[LiqwudIce]

Oh you're gonna have a hell of a time fixing this problem. It's called the cold boot problem and different people find different solutions. I had it with my compute for about a month or two and finally fixed it by switching out my visiontek geforce4 ti4400 with my friend's leadtek version. It could be your power supply, voltages, overclocking, video card, or any number of things causing it. I would tell you to try switching out your video card with another one.

I know you'll say that it works perfectly, but other than mine not starting up (and it was like 6-7 times before it started rihgt on mine) the computer was solid as a rock and the graphics in everything were perfect, even overclocked.

 

[beserker15]

well, after reflashing my vid card with a non oc bios, it doesn't artifact anymore, however, the boot problem exists. for those familiar with the epox 8k5a2 boards, they have a little monitor at the bottom which displays like 2 numbers or letters that tells if there's a problem booting or its just fine. well, in this cold boot, that display doesn't turn on, after turning it off and then back on again, it turns on like normal. what i'm wondering is how can it be a psu problem? if it's weak, doesnt it mean the voltage line will be less than normal? rather than greater?

 

[mechBgon]

For starters, if you want an accurate voltage reading, use a voltmeter. Asking an ailing motherboard to give you an accurate voltage reading is like asking a drunk person if he's drunk yet. And like I said, this is a classic symptom of a system with a dying, poorly-regulated and/or underpowered power supply, so consider spending ~$50 on a nice solid high-quality PSU with plenty of wattage on tap.

 

[beserker15]

would the allied 350w be a good replacement? or would i need something stronger.

 

[beserker15]

anyone has any opinions on the allied 350w or 400w psu?