Help, plz

[Vrod]

just got a great deal on a new video card (6800 gt agp)

i got:

nf7 s v2
amd xp2000+
1 gb pc3200
had a ti4200 (went bad)
new 6800gt
80 gb hd
160 gb hd
dvd-rw
psu Allied B400atx max 400 watts

Boots up fine runs win2k for about 15 to 20 mins than reboots and stalls on a black screen. i have to press the power button for 5 secs and than restart. Re-installed old video card which didnt have this problem and it too suffers the same fate. I tried 1 memory stick, turning virus and firewall off, i disconnected dvd drive and 1 hd and still no go. Im thinking my old psu my not be up to the task or need to reinstall winsuxs again. just dont want to drop over 50 if i dont have too. any sugestions??

thanks in advance

 

[Vrod]

anyone?

 

[Swampster]

First, eliminate the easy stuff . . . open it up and make sure your heatsinks fins are clean and that the BIOS shows all of the fans operating at the correct speed. Once everything seems to be clean, then operate it with the side panel off and a desk fan adding a little extra cool air.

If this cures things, then you need to update your overall cooling system.

If not, then you need to consider an upgrade of your power supply as it was quite possibly damaged when the other card went out.

 

[Vrod]

cleaned it up saturday, been running it open since than too. I was going to reinstall winsuxs and it also rebooted. Makes me think probably not windows at all. Would i be looking at another 400w psu or higher?

thanks

 

[Swampster]

In all likelyhood yes. In that catagory, I have had really good luck with the Thermaltake TR2-430W ($39.99 + S & H from Newegg.com). It is quite, nice looking, has bundled cables, and good per/rail amp ratings.

 

[Vrod]

Ok, been too busy to post. Here goes, last night i disconnected everything except the vid card and 1 hdd so i can get into windooze. it worked great for about an hour (most it ever worked) and than rebooted.


I dont have another psu sitting around so i have to go buy on. Im going to be upset if its not the psu, any recommendations before i change the psu.....thxs

 

[Swampster]

1. Memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com/), run for at least an hour or two will eliminate any possibility of this being a problem. Not likely . . . but it doesn't cost anything to check.

Check on the BIOS version of your motherboard and make sure it is the latest version available. Update if needed. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY! Not likely . . . but there again it doesn't cost anything.

Make sure you have the latest chipset drivers for your motherboard. Update as needed. Her again, unlikely, but free.

After you find that there is still a problem (Most Likely), then get a GOOD replacement power supply and install it. The one I recommended will work well in your system, but others might work just as good.

All power supplies in a given power range are NOT created equal, so it can be a bit overwhelming to shop for the first time, and not unusual to make a poor choice. When budgets are tight, it is easy to opt for the least expensive one . . . and there is usually a reason why it is cheapest . . . which means it might not supply a good smooth flow of power and thus not completely solve your problem. You need a good one, because you have one device in there (the new video card) that needs a good steady power flow or it will cause major system instability.

 

[lyssword]

perhaps ur cpu is overheating, or one of the components. Try lowering voltage on ur cpu, like .1-.2 less volts see if that helps.. ALso check voltages/timing for memory

 

[Vrod]

running memory at spd.
i noticed in bios the +12v rail was hovering around 11v

 

[Swampster]

OK, so now you have confirmed my diagnosis of a bad power supply . . . so go out and buy one already!!! <G>.