boot problems

FergCu · 3 Jan 2007 at 13:38

Hi, heres hoping someone can help:

Have been having problems with this rig for a while, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Problems:
With a clean windows install, and no drivers:
1) Sometimes a cold boot just doesnt work - the machine will run for approx 5 seconds, then restart itself and carry on as normal.
2) Sometimes it seems to be booting nicely, but as the monitor never turns on! It will be making all of the correct sounds, but it as if the graphics card doesnt send the signal to say that it is on.
3) Occasionally during POST, i get an error message informing me that overclocking has failed, press f1 to run setup, or f2 to load default settings (this happens when overclock settings are either on manual (normal), or automatic in the BIOS - i dont actively set the machine to overclock).

When drivers are installed:
4) I get blue screens/random freezes/restarts which pinpoint ati2dvag as the cause.

Components:
Asus A8S-X mobo
AMD 64 3200 s-939 (think its a venice core)
Sapphire ATI X800GT PCI-E
400W Akasa PSU
1 stick of pc133 512mb ram (have tried this, and 2x512 Geil value matched ddr400)
2x standard IDE HD
1x IDE DVD-RW
1x generic floppy
winxp sp2

Any thoughts would be most welcomed.
cheers,

Ferg;.

ps. Happy new year!!

daveydave · 3 Jan 2007 at 13:55

i've had a BSOD with the driver being pinpointed but...tbh i dont trust that as the cause. But i powered down and checked all cables were in tight etc. Although the problem your having (in my experince) is linked to either a faulty gfx card or dodgy psu. Your psu seems solid though..i mean the brand is one you can trust. But i'd suggest you try another gfx card as my Sapphire X800 pci-e was borked and since moving to an Nvid i havent had the BSOD. give it ago with diff card and let us know. I'd suggest a X600 or something cheap like that, should only set you back a tenner or so.

FergCu · 3 Jan 2007 at 14:04

David, thanks for those thoughts - kind of whats going around in my head too - PSU or GFX.

Does a 400W akasa PSU look like it would happily support the other bits? Thats my main doubt at the moment.

Cheers,

Ferg

daveydave · 3 Jan 2007 at 14:09

should support that lot with ease in my opinion mate. I have a 500w Enermax and i know i dont use 500w watts probs not even 400 lol so i think its more than fine buddy. Are you able to get you mitts on another pci-e card

Tetras · 3 Jan 2007 at 14:17

The Akasa Paxpowers?

The 400 Watt version would handle your rig with ease (and a fair bit more besides), pretty strong +12v rails on those

FergCu · 3 Jan 2007 at 20:45

yep, the paxpower - got three of them, and unless this is the odd one out, ive never had a problem with any.

- and yup, have got myself a radeon x1800 jobby, and touch wood, its going ok! Will run it for a few days to see if it lasts.

Assuming that it is the graphics card, can anyone recommend a new one for me please?

I'm going to be changing this to more of a media centre pc, so itll just be running media player etc (maybe just a few 3d apps as well, but not primary computer, so its not important). Ideally, i'd like to spend less than 60 squids. Thoughts? Have seen a few fanless ones - any good?

thanks for all your help guys,

Ferg/