Arrgh! Computer having a spaz...

[technician]

Just started playing my new copy of WarCraft 3, and my computer decided to freeze up. No problem, just a simple restart. Right?

:mad:

The computer will not make it through the complete boot up process, sometimes not even making it past the memory test. The BIOS soft even had some wierd things happen, but only once. I've set everything to failsafe, and tried three different sticks of memory in it (also taking it back to 2x AGP). Nothing seems to be helping...

This thing has been running perfectly for several months, now just today it decides it doesn't want to work. Anyone have any ideas? The CPU is brand new, less than six weeks old.

[JimmyG]

Try the old routine of removing all cards except Video. Disconnect all drives except C: and floppy. Reboot. If good, you know one of the items you took out/disconnected is bad. Test one at a time.

If still bad, you know it is CPU, memory, Video, harddrive, floppy, PSU or MOBO. Disconnect hard drive and floppy. Reboot. If bad, you know it is CPU, Video, PSU or memory.


Reseat memory. Reinstall HSF.

Reboot. If still bad, try friends memory. If still bad, try friends PSU. If still bad, try friends CPU. If still bad get new MOBO.

[john240sx]

JimmyG, you forgot one. try friends video card :D
pretty much the entire process of hardware trouble shooting summed up in one post. Bravo.

[stool]

If this just started when you installed Warcraft, delete the whole thing, assuming you can boot into safe mode.

[technician]

I can't even get into safe mode, since just looking at the CPU/system temps in the BIOS soft will make the unit lockup after a minute or so.

I disconnected all the cards 'cept the video card, so unless my vcard crapped (I do have a spare here at the house) it isn't that. I doubt it's the HDD or floppy, since the computer sometimes won't even make it past the RAM test in the boot, it'll just sit there. That made me think RAM, however I've tried two other sticks, and while it seems to have made the computer last a bit longer before locking up, it hasn't helped.

Memory has been reseated, no goodies there. I will try and disconnect my DVD and CD-RW to see what happens, although again I don't see how those can be the problem.

I bet would (off hand) be either the CPU or the mobo, however I just bought the darn thing (the CPU), and it's been working like a charm w/out the slightest hint of a problem. It seems funny that it would just all the sudden decide to die on me.

One other thing that just came across my mind while typing this is that it could be the PSU...not generating enough power for my setup. I can see how that could cause problems. I have a spare 3 00 watt unit here too (pays to work on peeps systems, eh?)...I'll give that a try. Would any of my symptoms possibly be caused by a bad PSU?

BTW, thanks for the tips here guys ;)

[technician]

Ah ha! I tried taking all the drives off (floppy, CD-RW, DVD), and also taking the radiator fans off the powerline. I'm now typing this up on the machine that's been crappy, without a hitch (and also without all those drives :(). When I go to add just one of the 120mm fans onto the power supply again, I get constant restarts both in and out of Windows...odd. So, now that we know my PS can't handle the needed output, what should I go for now?

I am running my pump off the PS (12v, CPUfx 500GPH model), which I believe sucks a lot of juice. I have plans to replace that pump, however I would like to keep it going for awhile longer before I throw my $80 out the door.

[Da Whip]

Get a decent 400 watt PSU to run the system. Use the old one to power the pump and fans.

[technician]

That's a thought, although I'd rather save the money and just convert the pump to a standard house plug (if I can). I'm surprised my PSU decided it didn't like things all of the sudden, but I do know one member in the cooling forum who says his CPUfx pump takes too much of a draw on his PSU (he did a mod on it)...

[KnownKiller]

I wouldnt even use that P/S anymore period... After all the destruction i have gone threw on my system not to long ago with my water pump on the P/S... Why chance that thing will die and the water pump stop and you'll fry that CPU in a hurry.. THrow it away and buy a great P/S. Might wana get a cheap 200-300 WATT AT P/S and use that for the fans and pump.. That would be the smartest thing to do... If ya hook that pump up to the house who knows what would happen.. It might draw too much power from the AC and fry it.


As soon as i read your post i was gona say P/S...hehe. Been threw 2 drying on me in the same week.. One brand new Antec True Power 430 watt.. i'd stay away from that series.

[technician]

Arrgh! Get this, my pump just died now.

:mad: :mad:

I had an extra 300 watt PSU laying around that I fired up with just the pump on it to see if that would coax the pump back to life, but it's a no go. My guess is that this entire episode was caused by my pump deciding it wanted to die. If anyone is looking to run their H2O systems 24/7, do not get anything CPUfx.

Thanks for helping me out you all, it's been a good learning experience (albiet, and expensive one).