Fubar²

[Christoph]

My computer is amazingly screwed up, and I find it quite perplexing.

I've got an XP 1600+ (1.4@1.4, 1.85 V) on an A7M266 mobo with 512 MB Crucial PC2100 RAM, a Gainward Gef2 MX400 Card, an IBM deskstar 40 GB HD and a 250 W PS (I'm going to upgrade it sooner or later).
I was running windows 98 until some random resets managed to render the system unbootable (windows would try to restore the registry using a bad backup).
I've tried to reinstall windows about 4 times, for the last three I reformatted my HD to try to clear off anything that was causing errors (I didn't need that data anyway :rolleyes: ). Every time I try to install windows, I get about 8 freezes before it finishes loading. When it finally installs properly, some component always manages to create a protection fault, and I can rarely get a successful boot.
Uprgading to XP or 2k isn't much of an option, as I just want to keep win98 around long enough for me to get the hang of Mandrake Linux.

[jbell]

you are runing a huge system on a 250w psu?!?!?!???

I highly recomemnd you get a 400watt soon! that is prolly your problem - it isn't getting enough juice to operate.

[Über~PhLuBB]

Indeed, 250W is pitifully small, I wouldn't even run an Athlon Classic on a 250W PSU (Mine's 320W for the rig below).

[Christoph]

Would the PS be a problem if I was only running a HD and a CD-ROM? I bought the case before I knew anything about what I was doing as far as hardware goes.

[jbell]

Originally posted by IdeaMagnate
Would the PS be a problem if I was only running a HD and a CD-ROM? I bought the case before I knew anything about what I was doing as far as hardware goes.

the PS would be a problem just trying to run the CPU!!!

[jbell]

Look for a SPARKLE of COGDEN PSU - www.amd.com lists all recomended PSUs for the athlon chip.... follow that.

[Christoph]

Anybody want a 250W PS? It's got a few large dents from a hammer, but I thing it'll work OK.

Also, I ran a TBird in the same setup with no problems. It seems strange that just changing the processor would mean not enough power. OH well. Guess it's off to the computer store for me! Thanks!

[jbell]

haha hammer marks? um I will pass but go get a 400 watt MINIMUM!

[Christoph]

Originally posted by jbell
haha hammer marks? um I will pass but go get a 400 watt MINIMUM!

I don't know about 400W minimum, but I do know that I'm going to pay more attention to AMD's recommendations. Sucks to have to buy more stuff, but at least I know what the problem is now. The prices are too low to bother on eBay, so I guess it'll become part of my arsenal of old computer parts.

[jbell]

Go to www.pricewatch.com and yes I recomend HIGHLY you go with a 400 watt PSU

[Christoph]

Could I somehow mod the PS for a pelt or two in case I ever decide to go that way?

[Über~PhLuBB]

When I get an Athlon XP and mobo, I plan to use my 320W PSU to power the mothercoard and CPU, as well as 1 CD-ROM drive. I have a 52W (Fifty-two! lol) PSU from my second computer, a Compaq. I will use that 52W PSU to power the other drives, my neon light, and all the fans, as well as anything else I add on in the future.

What you should do is buy a 300W PSU, use that exclusively for your mobo and CPU ONLY, then use your current 250W PSU for everything else. You may have a problem finding a place to mount it, if you have 2 spare 5.25" drive bays, you can mount it in there.

I have the benefit of having come accross my miniscule (2" x 4" x 7") 52W PSU, so i can stick it just about anywhere.

A 400W PSU (which you SHOULD use) would cost conciderably more then a 300W PSU, but like I said, if you use the 300W PSU for ONLY the mobo and CPU, you should be fine. Just so long as the 2 PSUs turn on at the same time.

You can accomplish that by merely using a powerbar (Not the energy chocolate, but a strip of plugs) that has a switch, just flip the switch to turn on both your PSU's, your printer, your monitor, speakers, perhaps your router and DSL modem/cable modem. Thats what I use, and when it comes time to use the extra PSU, all I have to do is plug dat mofo in.

[SteenkyBastage]

i notice you say you have your bird running at default mhz, but why are you upping the voltage?

upping the voltage will make it harder on your psu, as well as your cooling device. try bringing the voltage down as low as you can w/o having stability problems and the 250 would stand a MUCH better chance of doing the job.

i've succeded in running my 1.2 @ 1.2 with only 1.7v, rather than the default 1.75. if i were you i'd back off that 1.85v and give it another go.

[Christoph]

The problem is that it was unstable at the default (1.75 I think) and is still unstable where it is now. I'm getting a new big beefy 400W AMD recommended PS, so I'll soon have no more power worries. (Until I decide to get some pelts, that is.)

[jbell]

Originally posted by Über~PhLuBB
When I get an Athlon XP and mobo, I plan to use my 320W PSU to power the mothercoard and CPU, as well as 1 CD-ROM drive. I have a 52W (Fifty-two! lol) PSU from my second computer, a Compaq. I will use that 52W PSU to power the other drives, my neon light, and all the fans, as well as anything else I add on in the future.

What you should do is buy a 300W PSU, use that exclusively for your mobo and CPU ONLY, then use your current 250W PSU for everything else. You may have a problem finding a place to mount it, if you have 2 spare 5.25" drive bays, you can mount it in there.

I have the benefit of having come accross my miniscule (2" x 4" x 7") 52W PSU, so i can stick it just about anywhere.

A 400W PSU (which you SHOULD use) would cost conciderably more then a 300W PSU, but like I said, if you use the 300W PSU for ONLY the mobo and CPU, you should be fine. Just so long as the 2 PSUs turn on at the same time.

You can accomplish that by merely using a powerbar (Not the energy chocolate, but a strip of plugs) that has a switch, just flip the switch to turn on both your PSU's, your printer, your monitor, speakers, perhaps your router and DSL modem/cable modem. Thats what I use, and when it comes time to use the extra PSU, all I have to do is plug dat mofo in.

and where does he mount the second psu? and do you really want two cords to power your comp? no way!

[Christoph]

Originally posted by jbell


and where does he mount the second psu? and do you really want two cords to power your comp? no way!

A truly dedicated OCer will not hesitate to have multiple power cords if it's beneficial to the sacred CPU. I, however, don't want to accelerate the energy crisis just to get another WU/week closer to the cure for Alzheimer's.