SOLVED My HTPC is Broken

JLK03F150 · Dec 17, 2014

E6600 @ 2.4GHz
nvidia e-7150 i630
2x2GB Mushkin PC2-8500 @ 6400 (no voltage adjustment to run 8500)
HD 4650
500GB WD Blue
Antec 380W

My HTPC is broken.

It has been locking with the evga screen during post, as well as getting to login, and getting to desktop before freezing. Probably the PSU, agreed? I gotta bring my multi-meter home from work to test. I have another PSU to test with so I hope the mobo isn't going. I don't have another mATX mobo.

TransformedBG · Dec 17, 2014

umm i would say more memory than psu

JLK03F150 · Dec 19, 2014

I ran memtest86+ for about 4 hours last night without error. I also got a BSOD last night (stop: 0x00000124) and 'the google' says that is most likely a hardware failure, but could be a corrupt Windows install too. I can't get to Windows in Safe Mode either. I forgot to mention the OS is Vista 32bit.

Edit: Checked the PSU while running memtest - 12.3v, 5.0v, & 3.3v.
Tried to boot with the Vista disk & it hung at a black screen after the first loading bar.

Edit2: Swapped RAM with GSkill PC2-8000 & it's still acting the same. Hung once at the evga screen, once just before loading the Windows CD. Once after loading CD, but before the install window.

ratbuddy · Dec 20, 2014

Sounds like PSU or maybe mobo caps. Visual inspection look ok? My money is on the PSU if so

Silver_Pharaoh · Dec 20, 2014

Swap the PSU with the spare you mentioned you had.

My money is on the PSU since your RAM seems ok.

JLK03F150 · Dec 21, 2014

I'm going to swap out the PSU in the morning and see what happens.
Thx

JLK03F150 · Jan 10, 2015

Well I finally swapped my antec 380w with an old (pre '09) Ultra X-finity 500w PSU I had laying around. Seems that was the problem because I'm back in Windows and I was able to run Prime95 blend for about 4 hours. No BSOD or other issues.

Now I guess the next question is should I tuck all the wires in & keep the old Ultra or should I get a new PSU? System ran great with only 380w for many years. Whatdya think?

Silver_Pharaoh · Jan 10, 2015

pre '09?
I'd buy a new one to be safe.

Nothing overly powerful of course.
Maybe a Corsair 430watt eh?

JLK03F150 · Jan 11, 2015

I was thinking about the evga 430w, but I haven't really looked at any reviews of their PSUs. I know corsair farms out good makers, but what about evga? It's very affordable at my local Microcenter.

Silver_Pharaoh · Jan 11, 2015

JLK03F150 said:
I was thinking about the evga 430w, but I haven't really looked at any reviews of their PSUs. I know corsair farms out good makers, but what about evga? It's very affordable at my local Microcenter.

The EVGA 500B I bought is rock solid. Got good scores from Oklahoma Wolf too. I bought 2 of these and have not had any issues.

I would feel comfortable buying an EVGA PSU yes.

JLK03F150 · Jan 11, 2015

Thanks for saving me time on researching.

SOLVED My HTPC is Broken

JLK03F150

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TransformedBG

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JLK03F150

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ratbuddy

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Silver_Pharaoh

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JLK03F150

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JLK03F150

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Silver_Pharaoh

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JLK03F150

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Silver_Pharaoh

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JLK03F150

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