Poltergeist or PSU?

[labrat]

Hi all

I built a computer to budget for a friend - E6400, Gigabyte DS4, 2GB Geil DDR2-667, 2 Hard disks, 2 DVD-RW, 7600GT - but had to buy a good case with a cheap no-name 400W power supply. Everything works beautifully, all at stock speeds.

The problem is that whenever the computer is turned on it causes my friends netgear wireless ADSL router (DG834PN - I think) to drop the connection. I know sounds weird. At first I thought the problem was the USB wireless key (W111T) on the computer but the problem persists even if you disconnect the key. Then as soon as you turn the computer off the router is able to re-connect. So I'm thinking there is some kind of interference from the new computer either by radio frequency (RF) or the main ring circuit of the house. The computer is connected to a surge protector bar and I swapped it for another to check if the bar was at fault but the problem persisted. Another older computer (P3 500MHz) is connected to the same bar and also has a USB wireless key and it works perfectly with the router until you turn the new computer on and the connection is lost.

So my only thought is that the cheap PSU of the new computer is causing interference by RF or some kind of feedback through the main ring circuit.

I have ordered a new PSU (an Antec one that I use myself) and will replace the cheap PSU to see if that fixes the problem. If not then at least I will have a spare PSU. I'll get back to you later.

Has anyone ever encountered this phenomenon or have any other bright ideas?

cheers

 

[dwarf]

Does it affect any other appliances? Plug a lamp or something into the socket you are using for the router and see if anything strange happens when you turn the computer on.

Pretty worrying if it is a psu fault!

 

[Fars]

Too much load on the power perhaps?

As much as this shouldn't happen it inevitably does with the wiring in some places. And if the router is especially sensitive (or rather the power adapter that came with it) it may drop the connection as it loses power during system start up.

He's using wireless perhaps he could relocate the router to another part of the house to test this, ideally on a different floor.


Hmm, I think I like the poltergeist idea more, think he'd be willing to sell his poltergeist if this is the cause? Always wanted one of them.

 

[labrat]

Rather weirdly everything is back to normal

I had a chat in the pub with a local electrician and he said that sometimes the power company's electricity supply isn't up to scratch which can cause problems with heavily loaded sockets. Also had a chat with the local vicar just in case I needed an exorcism

Will keep monitoring

cheers