My computers hate me

[BobDaMenkey]

So, not just 5 minutes I ago I was happily playing EvE online, when suddenly, my computer just died. Not the case fans and lights, but no more video, no more music, no response from the keyboard.

I've turned it off, and back on again, and I still get nothing. The case fans spin up, but there's no beep codes, no video, no lights on the keyboard.

I've had a similar occurance with a backup gaming rig I had. I had it crunching numbers for Folding at Home. I went to check on it, and the screen was blank. I rebooted it, and it stayed blank. Nothing I did would bring video back. Switching video cards didn't solve it(Tried it's GF4 Ti, GF2, and my 6800GT), pulling power on all drives didn't do anything either. Switching power supplies made it work again for a little while, then it just up n died again. Although I think the mobo might have also boned out on it, booting without RAM or a video card wouldn't produce beep codes. I just don't know.

I haven't started those kinds of tests yet on my rig, but I probably will just to see if I can get anything back out of it. I'm posting this from my laptop. The only computer I've had that hasn't given me random issues.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Well, I got it to boot with my GeForce 4. Guess the 6800GT needs an RMA. Wheee. God the fan on the 4 sounds like it's dead.

 

[Operandi]

What PSU are you running?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Aspire 500Watt

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Aspire 500Watt

There is a very good chance that is your problem.

 

[icefhishin]

your computer is only as good as the psu you put in it. most people would never run a no name videocard and expect to play games but they always seem to skimp on the psu.

 

[Rommel44]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Aspire 500Watt

There is a very good chance that is your problem.

Likely. Do you have surge protection?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Well what PSU should I invest in then? I think I may just give up with the 6800GT and get a 7600GT, unfortunately the only company that makes them in AGP is Leadtek, and I'm still unimpressed with their product and their customer service.

Easier to buy one off of Newegg than it is to try to convince Leadtek that my video card went bad. I went through 3 when I first got it that were producing artifacts in the BIOS or at the Desktop.

 

[Fishy007]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Well what PSU should I invest in then? I think I may just give up with the 6800GT and get a 7600GT, unfortunately the only company that makes them in AGP is Leadtek, and I'm still unimpressed with their product and their customer service.

Easier to buy one off of Newegg than it is to try to convince Leadtek that my video card went bad. I went through 3 when I first got it that were producing artifacts in the BIOS or at the Desktop.

I've always had good luck with Enermax Power Supplies. Antec is good as well from what I hear.

 

[icefhishin]

go with a reputable name brand like thermaltake, antec, ocz. the extra money spent now will pay off later. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023 $30 after rebate, not the best but it's cheap enough and still has quality.

 

[Noubourne]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Well what PSU should I invest in then? I think I may just give up with the 6800GT and get a 7600GT, unfortunately the only company that makes them in AGP is Leadtek, and I'm still unimpressed with their product and their customer service.

Easier to buy one off of Newegg than it is to try to convince Leadtek that my video card went bad. I went through 3 when I first got it that were producing artifacts in the BIOS or at the Desktop.

And still today you think it was a video card issue and not a crappy PSU the whole time?

Here's a question for you: What does a graphics card do when it's not getting the power it needs?

Answer: Artifacts and locks up.

Hint hint?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Originally posted by: icefhishin
go with a reputable name brand like thermaltake, antec, ocz. the extra money spent now will pay off later. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023 $30 after rebate, not the best but it's cheap enough and still has quality.

Only 18amps on the 12v rail? Ouch.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148006 Is pretty much the PSU in question that I've been using.

 

[Noubourne]

Hmmm $60 for a 500w PSU.

RED FLAG! RED FLAG!

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Aspire 500Watt

There is a very good chance that is your problem.

Exactly

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Originally posted by: Noubourne
Hmmm $60 for a 500w PSU.

RED FLAG! RED FLAG!

Then show me what I should get?

 

[Fishy007]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey

Originally posted by: Noubourne
Hmmm $60 for a 500w PSU.

RED FLAG! RED FLAG!

Then show me what I should get?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194003

 

[PurdueRy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104935

would work fine

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934

Overkill but if you want to...

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Is there a chance that my 6800GT will work right when I install a proper PSU, or is it done?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: BobDaMenkey
Is there a chance that my 6800GT will work right when I install a proper PSU, or is it done?

There is a chance...no other computer you can test it in?

 

[BobDaMenkey]

If you think that PSU is bad, you don't even want to know about the others that I have lying around.

The only other comp that I have that is up and working, outside of my laptop, doesn't have an AGP slot. Like I said in my OP, I never could resurect my backup gaming box.

 

[Noubourne]

Far as I know, several other manufacturers known for good PSUs use FSP internals.

Not every PSU by the same company is the same quality though. I've heard bad things about some Antecs, but not the NEO (mine has worked well enough). I'm going to assume the poster who referred those to you knows those to be quality units, and that they're less expensive because they lack the big-name branding.

My next PSU will likely be a Seasonic S12 based on the last time I did research (about 6 months ago). They were known to be good quality units that also were among the quietest out there. By the time I need it I'll have to redo the research though. DFI-Street forums had a huge sticky with a well-tested list of PSUs known to be good for OCing. I ended up with the NEO based on price and my requirement at the time for a modular unit. When I bought it, there were only a few modular units out there, and only one in my price range. My next PSU will have to run a water pump though, so I'll have to re-assess my priorities.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

I went ahead and ordered the Enermax. Lets go for some overkill here, huh? If my 6800GT doesn't work I'll probably just get the 7600GT, trying to convince Leadtek that I need an RMA and that the retailer I bought it from won't respond to me is pretty difficult and annoying. (I went though that the first time I got the card, took me 2 months to get one that would work)