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cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek


#106931 2-Aug-2012 23:07
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I have a PC for about almost 4 years already. It has Gigabyte motherboard ga-m68sm-s2l, and AMD Athlon64 x2 5200 SKT AM2 Dualcore. In the past, sometimes (not always) it stopped at some step (always the same step) during booting before starting Windows. But a few days ago, it just broke down itself suddenly while it was working. It couldn’t boot itself and had nothing displayed on the screen when I tried to power it on. Then I unplugged the its power cable, after a few seconds I plugged it in and powered it on again, it booted alright, and the started Windows. But the next day, it suddenly broke down again. This time it won’t boot it anymore no matter what I tried. I have tried disconnecting the power supply of DVD, HD and CPU. What I found is that after I unplug and plug in the power cable of the PC, it will start the PC power supply’s fan, the PC case’s fan, and CPU’s fan, then the power shuts down immediately, and the 3 fans stop spinning. If I don’t unplug the power cable and directly try to turn on the PC, usually the PC won’t even have any reaction, just like dead, not even start the fans! Later I found if I just disconnect the ATX 12V connector, after powering on the PC, the 3 fans will work fine and keep spinning, i.e., the power supply will stay, it won’t shut down itself immediately like before, unless I switch the power myself. I’ve also measured the voltage of the power supply to ATX 12V, it’s 11V. I don’t know if the 11V is the problem or actually it’s just because my meter didn’t give accurate read. Anyone knows what exactly the problem is caused this? Is there a problem with the PC power supply or the motherboard (for example, even the ATX 12V connector on the motherboard)? Anyone had the same issue before and how do you fix it? Thanks very much.

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Azzura
603 posts

Ultimate Geek

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  #666789 3-Aug-2012 11:05
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If you have another compatible PS lying around. I would suggest trying it in the system.

 

I would be thinking it is either the PS or the MB (for now).



Kingy
395 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #667078 3-Aug-2012 16:34
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Sounds at though the PSU isn't quite right. What brand and wattage is it? 

What other components are you running in your PC? CPU/GFX etc. It may be that they're drawing to much power for the PSU to handle.




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cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek


  #667783 5-Aug-2012 14:05
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Thanks for reply. The PSU is 420W, but I don't have a compatible PSU. The CPU is AMD Athlon64 x2 5200 SKT AM2 Dualcore, build-in GPU: nVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a, 2 x A-Data 2GB 800 DIMM. Power consumption is big. If say, MB is the problem, do I have to change the whole MB with a new one?



Lias
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  #668109 6-Aug-2012 09:59
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I'd be more inclined to suspect the PSU, particularly if it's not a well known brand. It's also the cheaper of the two components to replace.
I'd recommend a brand name PSU with an 80+ certification.
Take your pic from these:
http://pricespy.co.nz/category.php?l=s91140242&o=produkt_pris_inkmoms&cols=#prodlista

If the fault is the motherboard, yes you will need to replace it.
Due to the age, it looks if the only real option you have for a compatible board would be this:
https://price.geekzone.co.nz/product.aspx?pid=886304404




I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek


  #669307 7-Aug-2012 21:36
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@Lias thanks very much, the power brand Thermal Master 420W.

Lias
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  #669375 8-Aug-2012 06:22
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cateyes: @Lias thanks very much, the power brand Thermal Master 420W.


What I can gather from googling is Thermal Master was the "brand" thrown on some very crap specced PSU's that were distributed in budget Cooler Master cases. Low quality components, no PFC and terrible efficiency ratings. I'd be very suspect of that PSU.




I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.


cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek


  #673282 16-Aug-2012 13:20
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Lias:
cateyes: @Lias thanks very much, the power brand Thermal Master 420W.


What I can gather from googling is Thermal Master was the "brand" thrown on some very crap specced PSU's that were distributed in budget Cooler Master cases. Low quality components, no PFC and terrible efficiency ratings. I'd be very suspect of that PSU.


Thansk, I might try to find a good PSU to see if it can boot my computer.

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