Two Part Question

[AcidicFury]

OK, so I came home one night and my computer just didn't boot up. At first, I had to jiggle around the power connectors for the computer to even start, but now it won't boot at all. It starts, but the monitor screen never turns on, and after a few seconds, it constantly reboots.

Here are the specs:

AXP 2800+ Thoroughbred
A7N8X Deluxe
2 GB PC3200 RAM
Leadtek TI4600
400W PSU
60 Gb PATA and 120 GB SATA

The main problem is that I don't have access to my usual computer tools, so there are no extra graphics cards, etc to test things with. I'm thinking that it could be a PSU problem, since the motherboard light at the bottom still turns on (does that even mean anything?). Is there anything else that could be wrong with it?

Also, the second part of the question. If I can't fix this computer, I'm overdue for an upgrade. I have $750 to spend on it, and I would prefer to keep my 2 GB RAM and HDs. What combination of CPU, MB, PSU, and GFX Card should I get? I was thinking a Socket 939 FX-60 or something, but maybe you guys have some better suggestions. Thanks!

 

[Seekermeister]

Exactly what do you mean by "power connectors"? If you have already had a problem with a bad connection, that is the first place to check.

 

[AcidicFury]

Originally posted by: Seekermeister
Exactly what do you mean by "power connectors"? If you have already had a problem with a bad connection, that is the first place to check.

The connector directly from the PSU to the MB. How should I go about checking them?

 

[Seekermeister]

With a DMM. Or if you have a PS tester, that would work.

 

[AcidicFury]

Ugh, the problem is that I'm at school, so I don't have any of those things. Where could I buy a PS tester? At a Walmart perhaps? I'm kinda in the middle of nowhere.

 

[AcidicFury]

Anyone else have any advice?

 

[Operandi]

What PSU are you dealing with?

 

[AcidicFury]

Allied 400W

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: AcidicFury
Allied 400W

I've only seen Allied PSUs bundled in cheap cases so it's probably pretty safe to assume they are not particularly good or worse very bad. Replacing the PSU will probaby solve your problems.

It looks like your board uses the 5v rail to power the CPU (modern boards use 12v) so you'll want a PSU with a fairly strong 5v rail in addition to 12v if you want to use it when you upgrade. The 430 watt Seasonic S12 would be a very good candidate and my recommendation.

 

[Hiruko]

Take it all out of the box, and run the mobo on a cardboard box or something. It almost sounds like something is shorting out. I've had this problem before.