Any1 experienced this?

[Rayline]

Due to the problem I'll describe below, I have started building a new computer - but it would be interesting to hear if some of u have any clues on the problem:

Comp freezes up several times, but mostly when I'm doing powerconsuming tasks - such as playing games (like DeltaForce2), defragmenting my harddisc, performing av full system scan with Norton Anti Virus, burning CD's and things like that. It never freezes up/locks up doing other stuff. No problems when using the Office applications.
Sometimes, even when the comp is just standing there without being used (but still turned on), I can hear some strange noises that I'm not able to pinpoint the location of. But I think it's either the CPU- fan, or the PSU or maybe even the HDD. This noise can go on for about 2 - 5 mins - and after that it's normal again. It's not the familiar clicks of death of a harddisc - more like a chopper going down from a far distance. No high pitching - more like a rumbling sound.

I know for sure it ain't my Mem- sticks, and not my Graphics card, and I don't think it's my HD. And not my NIC.
And I have tried full formatting, clean installation of OS, upgraded and downgraded BIOS, and tried every tweak in BIOS - no change.

My best private guess is either the CPU or CPU fan going hasta la vista.

Here's my system:

PIII, 500MHz, 100MHz FSB
Mobo Abit BE6-II (i440BX)
Hercules 3D Prophet II MX 32Mb
NIC Realtech 10/100
Soundblaster PCI 128
IBM 60GXP 60Gb HDD 7200 rpm
W98SE, IE6.0
Office2000
Pioneeer DVD 104
Actima 4x4x24 CDRW
Memorysticks Original 3 x 128Mb SDRAM
Highpoint HPT366 UltraDMA 66 Controller
Billion Bipac PCI SE ISDN Card
Aopen Case

Any help or comments is appreciated!

[Mr. C]

Fans are cheap enough to replace, see if that takes care of the problem.
Have you read Mr. Tweaks article entitled IBM GXP Problems: The Truth Exposed and Possible Fixes

[sKuLLsHoT]

This problem SCREAMS power supply - what rating is your PSU?

i would think it can't hack all those accessories...

[Rayline]

It's an Aopen 60GT w/noisekiller with 235W output - and the problem just came like 4 weeks ago. Never been a problem before.
But however, I think (after thorough investigation) that the rumbling sound comes from the PSU- fan.
So here is the question; If the PSU- fan is about to leave this earthly state - can this affect such a major stability issue for the whole computer?
I didn't think that was possible........? I know of course that the comp. gets a tidbit hotter - but in the last few weeks I have been running the comp. with open case. Thought that should compensate some of the heat generated.
Or am I totally on wrong conclusions here.........?

And, lucky guy as I am, I was able to borrow a used PSU from a friend today, so I intend to swap and see if problem goes away.
I'll let you know the result from that test. But if you are right - and this is a rating problem - I will still have a problem, cause the borrowed PSU is a 230 W King Year.

And thx for your kind answers guys - I really appreciate it!

[Wiggo]

If it is the PSU fan is going the the PSU could very well be overheating and that will cause it to fail so replace the fan. :smokin:

[Rayline]

Thx Wiggo, I will try this - in faxt I'll try swapping the whole PSU now that I got to borrow 1 from a friend - so this will be my first go.

[ct_]

psu is a step in the right direction - i've had similar problems and killed 2 harddrives, and slowing the system to a crawl cuz my psu was underpowering it

replacing it solved all problems :)

[Rayline]

Ah, thx my man - that's what I have been thinking about this problem too, and this is the very first thing I'm gonna check out. I really hope this will fix my problem.
But if this doesn't resolve my problems I'll check out all the other tips and tricks I've gotten as well.

[Rayline]

Well every1, here's what happened when I swapped PSU's (using the 1 from my friend):

No problem with booting after the swap, no mysterious faulty alarms or anything.
But when I tryed 1 of the operations that I know locks up my comp (full virus- scan with Norton) - the comp locked up with the new PSU as well. This new PSU has 5W lower output than my original one - so not a big difference there.

But when it locked up with the new PSU (and I had to hit the reset button) - the scandisc of course started - and this time it wasn't even able to finish the scan - it locked up during the scan.

So mainly, swapping the PSU made it a slightly worse than earlier.

Can the answer be so simple that I lack some output power?

[ct_]

yep

[Wiggo]

You would at least want a good 250watt PSU or even as far as 300w. :smokin:

[Rayline]

Ok thx Wiggo - I guess I'll have to try finding a new PSU that'll fit my equipment. It will definately be a 300W.

I have now also plucked out my ISDN card (limiting my IRQ's), and I'll see if that contributes to the problem solving.

[Shepps]

yeh, get a new PSU, my comp has that problem when i plug in a secong HD, the PSU(230) just cant cope, will have to get a new PSU someday......

[Rayline]

Well, well Shepps - thx for adding in!

I'm ordering my new PSU next week - it will be a 300 - 350W.
This time I'll take no chances, lol...

[Rayline]

Well, guess what!

Two things made this problem; I swapped my 235W PSU with a 340W PSU. That helped some - but still my comp. was a bit unstable. Then suddenly when I was playing a game of DeltaForce2 my keyboard started to behave strange - until it just went dead.
The main problem was due to a fault in my keyboard (Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro).

Man - I searced and I digged (took me 2 months!!!!!) to find out what was the problem with this machine - and it turns out to be my keyboard. Who thinks of that first..................?
Geez!