New build booting problems -- video error on POST

Nikias · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:00

I'm having trouble with the new system I built for my girlfriend. About half the time when I try and boot it, it fails to POST (Award BIOS, 1 long beep and 2 short ones), which indicates a video card error. This problem seems to be temporarily solved by turning off the computer and reseating the card, but soon returns.

Have I underestimated the PSU required for this system or something stupid like that? Is a piece of hardware likely to be knackered? Could the PSU be plugged into a dodgy power-strip or wall socket?

Spec is as follows:

Antec NSK4400 Mini Tower Case - 380W SmartPower PSU
EVGA nForce 650i Ultra (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 "LGA775 Allendale" 2.00GHz (800FSB) - Retail
GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C5 800MHz Value DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 500GB ST3500630AS SATA-II 16MB Cache
OcUK ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256MB GDDR3 HDTV/Dual DVI
NEC AD7170A 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nebzor · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:05

If you have a multimeter, whack it out and try testing the PSU. 350W should be enough juice to POST.

Nikias · 31 Jul 2007 at 00:46

I haven't got a multimeter unfortunately. Does it sound like a power issue or more like dodgy hardware?

Growlingfish · 31 Jul 2007 at 10:33

Crispy Pigeon said:
I haven't got a multimeter unfortunately. Does it sound like a power issue or more like dodgy hardware?

Should be plenty of power from that PSU to power that PC. Can't you test the PSU and gfx card in your PC?

ChrisCjsy · 31 Jul 2007 at 11:51

Sounds like a power issue to me, a friend of mine used to have a low wattage PSU and it would only start after a few attempts.

Put a higher wattage PSU in and I bet it works everytime.....

EDIT: Try disconnecting anything that is USB and disconnect the power from the CD drive aswell. This should help see if there is too much draw on the power when it starts. (Still might not be enough though)

Nikias · 31 Jul 2007 at 18:59

Growlingfish said:
Should be plenty of power from that PSU to power that PC. Can't you test the PSU and gfx card in your PC?

Yes, going to try that now. The trouble is I built the PC at her house so not so easy to whip things in and out.

I thought the PSU would be sufficient too, since Antec are a decent brand, but I've heard some people talk of x1950s and their kind requiring ridiculous power ammounts. Still, like Benjarghmin says above, I would have thought it would be enough to boot it.

ChrisCjsy said:
Sounds like a power issue to me, a friend of mine used to have a low wattage PSU and it would only start after a few attempts.

Put a higher wattage PSU in and I bet it works everytime.....

EDIT: Try disconnecting anything that is USB and disconnect the power from the CD drive aswell. This should help see if there is too much draw on the power when it starts. (Still might not be enough though)

I'm going to go round and try unplugging everything but the graphics and motherboard now. I do think that there might well be a problem with the PSU power, but I don't have a spare PCI card that requires little power to test this theory out with at the moment. I don't want to go and buy a £50 PSU without being sure it's the issue.

Keep the suggestions coming guys, it's all really helpful and much appreciated.