HD and PSU

[ibanez555]

just recently my system has started givin me trouble. I turn it on and then it goes back off! It runs okay with cpu and ram alone and also okay with all the other drives apart from the boot drive, which itself runs okay on other computers! Once i do manage to get everything goin it runs okay for as long the pc is on so discounted the faulty PSU and HD problem...
so the whole subject is confusing me? what could be the problem apart from 'occasional ??!!' faulty power connector!

Was also wondering how much does a power supply can take? currently my 400W powers 4HDs 2CDs 1P-4 1Gforce5 and 2 USB devices!!
thx for ANy replies

 

[imported_Phil]

What brand of PSU?
Could you list your entire system specs?

 

[jackschmittusa]

My guess is that it is the psu. Hard drives require more power at startup than during normal operation. Starting 4 hds with the rest of the system might put a strain on a weak psu. Once it is finally running, the psu can can hold its own, though probably just barely.

 

[ibanez555]

Psu: 400W unbranded to my knowledge
mb: MSI 865xxx
cpu: p4 2.8
ram:512 pc3200 single dimm
graphics: 256mb winfast geforce5600
4 WD HD (2 pata , 2 sata)
no floppy
Liteon CDWR
Pioneer DVDrom
SB Audigy 2
Wireless lan card
Win Xp Sp2 Pro

its bn like this for months without prob. only thing i ve done in the past week was switch the wall socket off and then back on!

 

[amdskip]

You need to purchase a quality power supply for your system. I would trust an Antec 300w over a mega 550w no name junk power supply.

 

[ibanez555]

is my prob def the power supply? And if so then surely i do need more than 400 (branded ) instead of goin for less!

 

[amdskip]

Yes, that is your problem and I would go for a 400w or larger power supply.

 

[joedanger]

hmm, i just posted a similar problem. seems like the culprit may be the psu after all. update us on your situation.

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: ibanez555
is my prob def the power supply? And if so then surely i do need more than 400 (branded ) instead of goin for less!

Probably.

Don't worry too much about the wattage rating - your "400w" unit can probably push something like 300W max before under- or over-volting the rails.

Get a decent Enermax, Sparkle, Fortron etc PSU. Check here before buying!

 

[ibanez555]

a lil update! i figured that if i let the system run for 10mins or so free...without any HD and then plug them in it runs okay!
Dunno if that helps
and between a 450W good branded and 600W less know will they be even out?