Possible Power Problem

[danjkerry]

Hello,

 

Recently my computer keeps resetting itself without a BSOD, even if automatic restart is turned off. This has lead me to presume it is a PSU problem or at least a power supply problem. Ive checked my hard drives using chkdsk, used memtest86+, various PCmarks etc to see if it was another component causing the problems, but I passed all of these. One thing of note is that MBM tells me that my -5voltage is at +0.43 volts. Is this alarming to anyone? Temperatures never rise above mid 40's.

 

Resetting occurs in the middle of 3D games, when clicking random links on websites, if i move my mouse over turn off on the shut down screen(?!), and sometimes just from mouse movements. It doesnt happen if the computer is left on unused, ie if im downloading something.

 

Basically, what I want to ask is, is there anything you can recommend to me to further test my system components for errors, are there any things I could do to fix the problem, and do I need a new PSU?

 

System details should be in my sig.

 

Thanks very much for even reading this!

[synthesist]

I had similar, vexing problems that I thought it was bad memory myself and I swapped it out - didn't work. Turned out to be driver related not that long ago.

 

Random re-booting, freezing in place, occasional BSODs (all with different error messages ). it was driving me nuts.

 

Gl with this...........

 

Syn

[medianOCer]

You could take a look at the 3.3v, 5v and 12v rails on the BIOS health monitoring screen,

and report what you're seeing for those.

 

If you know how to use a MM/VM (multimeter or voltmeter), then you could also measure

the the rail voltages at idle and under heavy load. This method will usually give a better

idea of what's actually going on with a PC at idle and load, and in regards to the PSU

that's connected to it.

 

You could also use MBM, or some other software monitoring to measure your rail voltages

at idle and load, but these values are usually not as a exact as taking readings with a MM

or a VM.

 

With the -5v rail, I don't think that's used and/or needed. Quite a few PSUs don't

even have a -5v rail anymore. The PSU I'm currently using doesn't have a -5v rail.

 

Are you getting any memory errors being reported at all or general freezing of your PC

when under load (as if the CPU needs more voltage?), and besides the rebooting you're

experiencing?

 

You could down load the S&M utility and use that to test for memory errors within

an OS environment. I, as well as others, have found that it is an excellent program

that can often detect memory errors quicker (sometimes better) than many other

programs. Here's a link - http://www.testmem.nm.ru/snm.htm

 

Have you done anything to the SB (south bridge) of the chipset on your board, or

felt to see how hot it is getting? They can tend to get rather warm on these NF2

boards.

[danjkerry]

Well that S&M is all greek(russian) to me! Could you give the the direct link to the download please?

 

I havent touched my southbridge, i'll check when I power off for BIOS numbers.

 

Sometimes the the computer hangs a little, when trying to do major tasks, but not normally. I dont get any error messages at all on the whole.

 

Sadly I dont have, nor do I kno how to use a multimeter, and ive just ended term at school so i cant rob one! If you give me a minute to reboot I'll give you the BIOS numbers, but in MBM im getting:

 

Idle:

Core 0 - 1.17V

Core 1 - 1.47V

+3.3 - 3.14V

+12.00 - 11.67V

-12.00 - -12.03V

-5.00 - 0.49V

 

 

And temps:

Idle:

Case 28C

CPU Socket 35C

CPU Diode 37C

 

Thanks very much for your help up untill now, and will be back asap!

 

edit: ok here are the BIOS numbers!

 

System Temperature: 28C

CPU Temperarture: 37C

 

+3.3 - 3.10V

+5 - 4.75V

+12 - 11.67V

-12 - 12.03V

VBAT(V) - 3.12V(?!)

5VSB - 4.80V(?!)

 

I also had a quick feel around, everything was disappointingly cool! PSU, NB, SB, CPU sink, HDDs, RAM were all fine!

[Guest Darien]

You could take a look at the 3.3v, 5v and 12v rails on the BIOS health monitoring screen,

and report what you're seeing for those.

 

If you know how to use a MM/VM (multimeter or voltmeter), then you could also measure

the the rail voltages at idle and under heavy load. This method will usually give a better

idea of what's actually going on with a PC at idle and load, and in regards to the PSU

that's connected to it.

Yeah for whatever reason, my BIOS volts are way off for my rails... says my 3.3v rail is 3.2v when it's really bout 3.45v... the other rails aren't as bad...

 

you could defineately use more power, I didn't realize how much my PSU was holding me back until I got my OCZ Powerstream... but it doesn't sound like a PSU issue to me... even with a subpar PSU you should probably be a able to get to windows...

 

if you could get to windows b4, and now you can't... it may not be your PSU

[danjkerry]

Darien - Sorry, forgive me if ive missed something, but I cant work out who you are refering to when you say "you", because as far as I was aware my PSU was above par for my system, and havent read of or written any experience of notting getting into windows. Possible wrong end of stick on my half!

[loggan26]

I think he most probably is refering to the numbers you are showing from your bios ie

+3.3 - 3.10V

+5 - 4.75V

+12 - 11.67V

-12 - 12.03V

VBAT(V) - 3.12V(?!)

5VSB - 4.80V(?!)

The +3.3 is slightly low the +5 is lower, and the +12 is definate low. These are the 3 rails that power your LPB

DO you have the 4pin ATX header plugged in to your mobo as well as the normal aTX header from the PSU???????????????????

[danjkerry]

Well after a cavalcade of errors, involing two thumb screws going missing in my case, I managed to return from under my desk, covered in dust, safe in the knowledge that both plugs, 12 and 4 pin, are attached to my mobo. So in answer to your question, yes!

[Guest Darien]

Darien - Sorry, forgive me if ive missed something, but I cant work out who you are refering to when you say "you", because as far as I was aware my PSU was above par for my system, and havent read of or written any experience of notting getting into windows. Possible wrong end of stick on my half!

my bad... it was late.. I was smoking crack I don't know....

 

I suppose it may be a PSU issue... your rails are defineately weak... it might me a video card problem... do you have have other cards you can swap it out with and see if you still have the problems...

 

one way of the other... if you got an OCZ powerstream... I think you would be very happy with it... then you could defineately rule out a PSU problem.... btw... didn't you say you have an NF4? or am I smoking crack again?

if so, what PSU are you using in your NF4... have you considered swapping it out to test your NF2?

[loggan26]

The psu is too light for the system me thinks so yes it might help, though it might not be the prob your experiencing.

ALso the 3200xp your running has been known to give major headaches on these mobos, BUT if you have been running previously without probs then i would also rule that out.

HAve you changed anything about your hardware, have you flashed your bios, have you changed any of your bios settings, restarting to me would usualy say that my mem timings or my overclock is too extreme.

HAve you had to reset your bios for any reason, have you actually checked your bios settings to see if they have changed from a crash etc, it is quite common for that to happen. Ie i just OC'ed, my system to far today, I had to use the INS key trick to get it back up to boot. WHen i entered bios all my settings were at default but the thing that really got me was when booting it would not get to the desktop it would continually loop. What had happened was my Alpha timings had mysteriously set themselves to like 1,1,1,2,1,0 OH MY god no wonder it wouldnt boot at its default 250x10.5.

Sorry for getting off track but i just thought to tell you that it can be world of other things before assuming hardware failure.

Test all avenues then use a process off elimination to pinpoint when and where your prob starts.....

IF its a software prob then sometimes (depending on how apt you are at reinstalling winblows) a reinstall might sort a corrupted windows install, might just be as simple as that.

[danjkerry]

Darien - Sorry I havent got an NF4! Blame the hormones in tap water! I'll try other avenues first, but a powerstream is looking more and more likely to be bought, so thanks for the recommendation. I only have one gfx card, but I'll consider a trip to maplins for a £20 job, see if that helps.

 

 

Loggan26 - I tend not to OC, and I cant see anything out of touch in the BIOS screen. Also, I havent flashed my BIOS for the best part of 18months, so i doubt that'll be it. Hardware hasnt changed except the installation of one 80mm fan, but ive tried unplugging that to no avail.I will however have another thorough look, and will have a try at a reinstall of windows.

 

Many thanks to you both, and I'll report back as soon as I can!

[king of nothing]

Idle:

Core 0 - 1.17V

Core 1 - 1.47V

+3.3 - 3.14V

+12.00 - 11.67V

-12.00 - -12.03V

-5.00 - 0.49V

What is your CPU voltage set at in the BIOS?

 

Your XP 3200 should be getting 1.65v. The 1.47v reading would suggest that it either set wrong or that your PSU isn't doing its job.

 

And I agree with loggan that your PSU is too light and your readings are too low.