Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Smokin on April 24, 2008, 10:49:55 AM

Title: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Smokin on April 24, 2008, 10:49:55 AM
The problem that I am having seems to be increasing as time progresses so I don't think I can ignore it anymore.

About half of the time I will start my computer and everything seems fine I can run any program I want online/offline for about 5 minutes then I will hear a clicking in my headset like the power is reset and the monitor will go blank.  I also notice that the PC itself sounds differently after it happens perhaps a fan has turned off, but for the most part everything else is still running along with the case leds.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 10:58:57 AM
Open the case, and see, if all fans are running.
See, if that clicking sound doesn't come from your hard drive.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Smokin on April 24, 2008, 11:03:43 AM
The case has a clear plastic side so I can see the fans working fine and the clicking noise I hear when the problem occurs is coming from the headset like when speakers 1st get power type of noise. 

Another thing to add if the computer makes it past the 1st 5 minutes without fail it can pretty much run indefinately.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 11:08:10 AM
You better wait for hardware guys. I don't want to give you any bad advice.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Smokin on April 24, 2008, 11:09:51 AM
Ok thank you for your time  :)
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Spoiler on April 24, 2008, 11:11:09 AM
Do you have another power supply you can swap out for testing?

My gut tells me its your motherboard but I would like to make sure its not a power supply first.

Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Smokin on April 24, 2008, 11:35:24 AM
I don't have a power supply thats big enough to swap for this computer.  If it is the mobo though I'm gonna have to take it in to get that changed...this computer has liquid cooling and I'm not about to mess around with that lol
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Spoiler on April 24, 2008, 11:50:41 AM
Try pulling out anything that you don't really need to get the machine running. In other words try to reduce the volts pulled from the power supply and than see if you get the same thing.


Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: quaxo on April 24, 2008, 01:01:55 PM
How about some specs? List all of your hardware (hard & CD/DVD drives, video card, audio, make and model) including your power supply and its wattage. Also list any devices plugged into the computer (USB, etc.). This will more easily help us determine what kind of power is available and what kind of draw the system has.

Best to know all of this before following any suggestions to randomly remove things from the computer until it works....
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: patio on April 24, 2008, 04:12:59 PM
And since it's liquid cooled some pics would be nice...
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: homer on April 24, 2008, 04:45:41 PM
im thinking its one of three things...

1. sound card is failing. this could account for the clicking you hear in your headphones. if it is an integrated sound card, that leads us into possible problem 2. (please let us know if its integrated or not)

2. motherboard is failing. again, this could account for the clicking in your headphones, even more so if you have integrated audio.

3. power supply failing. could account for the screen going blank. (i personally believe this one is the least likely, but it is the easiest one to troubleshoot.)

i would use a PSU with the same or higher wattage rating then the one you currently have and see if the problem continues. if the problem persists, then it is not the PSU's fault. if you have a sound card, pull it out and see if the problem persists. we will delve more into details if neither the power supply or sound card are to blame.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 05:02:06 PM
homer... it leaves HD, and RAM untouched, huh?....LOL
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: homer on April 24, 2008, 05:08:05 PM
i dont believe its either of those two, but i could be wrong. its all part of the troubleshooting process.
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 05:15:07 PM
I was joking...LOL
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: homer on April 24, 2008, 07:23:09 PM
my bad, im kinda grumpy today. :P
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 07:25:18 PM
Have some (http://www.smartestcomputing.us.com/style_emoticons/default/beers.gif)
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: homer on April 24, 2008, 07:36:11 PM
i do have some, but i cant drink any. i have to go to jujitsu soon and i cant really be intoxicated. :P
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 07:41:33 PM
You may have much smoother moves after a couple...hehehe
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: homer on April 24, 2008, 08:23:46 PM
your profile pic is moving... i think i do need a drink. :P
Title: Re: My guess is the power supply?
Post by: Broni on April 24, 2008, 08:33:47 PM
What is moving? How many of them did you have already?
Have you been drinking with patio, because he's missing?