[gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc - general hardware malfunction
Hi ! sorry..i haven't being checking the ML for a while. your problem is rather typical and (as others has already said) it's very likely due to the power supply. checking power availability is first: with every mobo you find a manual where you find the minimum required power rating (nowadays PCs require at least 250Watts on ATX mobo, CRT excluded) if it's enough and if the system at least tries to boot, you can be sure you have +5 and +12 on the line...so, no need to check with a voltmeter. however, those line could be the weak point. the fact is that every mobo requires a DC voltage, but no ps is able to provide it exactly. from the plug in the wall you get an AC at 50Hz , 230Volts (in Europe) or 125V (or so.., in USA) and your PS job is to convert this alternate current in a DC one, but there will always be a residual AC component over the DC output. For those unaccustomed to electrical stuff, there are two pictures attached to this post. Now, if for ANY reason, your ps started giving out a DC voltage with a strong superimposed oscillation, then you mobo and hw are going to fail in a rather unpredictable way Unfortunately, checking with a voltmeter, you'll always read 5V and/or 12V because that simple instrument is NOT able (in its basic form of usage) to show you the AC components. For those interested, you should check with an oscilloscope ( AC-coupling mode, detecting peak voltage) or a spectrum analyzer. Example of reason why a fuxxing ps might leave unattenuated AC components: - lightenings - age - nuclear explosions - e-granade bombing - electricity-society people at work in your last-mile net - Murphy's Law Finally, my suggestion is to change your ps (repairing is rather not worth tha cosi, if it's not self-done). Just to let all of this be more useful for everyone, the most common cause of wierd hardware behaviour is the power supply ! So, check it out !! nice hw hacking to everyone, R#attachment: ac.pngattachment: actual_dc.png-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:47, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:04, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. Who made the power supply and how old is it? power man 2 1/2 years If you have a voltmeter, I would check the voltage values (maybe the bios or lmsensors too?). If a voltage regulator failed, it would definitely lead to a series of different component failures. The values you should see are +/- 3.3v, +/-5v, or +/-12v. Not sure all of those will be present, but those are typical. If you see anything 10% away from standard values, then that's probably the source of your problems. here is what `sensors` give me. Values are so weird that I tought the infos were just misread by sensors. If those values are true. Could it come from my house power? it87-isa-0290 Adapter: ISA adapter Algorithm: ISA algorithm VCore 1: +1.74 V (min = +1.53 V, max = +1.87 V) VCore 2: +0.00 V (min = +2.25 V, max = +2.75 V) ALARM +3.3V: +6.46 V (min = +2.96 V, max = +3.60 V) ALARM +5V: +4.80 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) +12V: +11.84 V (min = +11.36 V, max = +13.80 V) -12V: -27.36 V (min = -15.86 V, max = -13.40 V) ALARM -5V: -13.64 V (min = -10.13 V, max = -9.44 V) ALARM Stdby: +5.04 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) VBat: +4.08 V -- mathieu -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
I'd do as someone suggested - get a voltmeter and actually measure the values. Lmsensors may not be working properly. However, if your +/-12 and -5 are being shown correctly they look bad. On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:31:40 +0200 mathieu perrenoud [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:47, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: it87-isa-0290 Adapter: ISA adapter Algorithm: ISA algorithm VCore 1: +1.74 V (min = +1.53 V, max = +1.87 V) VCore 2: +0.00 V (min = +2.25 V, max = +2.75 V) ALARM +3.3V: +6.46 V (min = +2.96 V, max = +3.60 V) ALARM +5V: +4.80 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) +12V: +11.84 V (min = +11.36 V, max = +13.80 V) -12V: -27.36 V (min = -15.86 V, max = -13.40 V) ALARM -5V: -13.64 V (min = -10.13 V, max = -9.44 V) ALARM Stdby: +5.04 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) VBat: +4.08 V -- mathieu -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
BIOS gave me +3,23 for the +3.3 (which is just the half of the 6.46 given by lm) -27.36 / 2 = -13.68 would be perfect. let's assume sensors also missed that div 2 VCore 2 is too strange to be accurate. I'm just worried by the -13.64, but there, the max and min are also pretty strange and 13.64 / 2 = 6.8 which wouldn't be that bad. Anyway, I don't know where to put the voltmeter... I'd do as someone suggested - get a voltmeter and actually measure the values. Lmsensors may not be working properly. However, if your +/-12 and -5 are being shown correctly they look bad. it87-isa-0290 Adapter: ISA adapter Algorithm: ISA algorithm VCore 1: +1.74 V (min = +1.53 V, max = +1.87 V) VCore 2: +0.00 V (min = +2.25 V, max = +2.75 V) ALARM +3.3V: +6.46 V (min = +2.96 V, max = +3.60 V) ALARM +5V: +4.80 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) +12V: +11.84 V (min = +11.36 V, max = +13.80 V) -12V: -27.36 V (min = -15.86 V, max = -13.40 V) ALARM -5V: -13.64 V (min = -10.13 V, max = -9.44 V) ALARM Stdby: +5.04 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) VBat: +4.08 V -- mathieu perrenoud -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
What's the factor of 2 for? I'd take the power supply to someone who can check it if you can't or get a new power supply. What's the wattage on the power supply? On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:02:55 +0200 mathieu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: BIOS gave me +3,23 for the +3.3 (which is just the half of the 6.46 given by lm) -27.36 / 2 = -13.68 would be perfect. let's assume sensors also missed that div 2 VCore 2 is too strange to be accurate. I'm just worried by the -13.64, but there, the max and min are also pretty strange and 13.64 / 2 = 6.8 which wouldn't be that bad. Anyway, I don't know where to put the voltmeter... I'd do as someone suggested - get a voltmeter and actually measure the values. Lmsensors may not be working properly. However, if your +/-12 and -5 are being shown correctly they look bad. it87-isa-0290 Adapter: ISA adapter Algorithm: ISA algorithm VCore 1: +1.74 V (min = +1.53 V, max = +1.87 V) VCore 2: +0.00 V (min = +2.25 V, max = +2.75 V) ALARM +3.3V: +6.46 V (min = +2.96 V, max = +3.60 V) ALARM +5V: +4.80 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) +12V: +11.84 V (min = +11.36 V, max = +13.80 V) -12V: -27.36 V (min = -15.86 V, max = -13.40 V) ALARM -5V: -13.64 V (min = -10.13 V, max = -9.44 V) ALARM Stdby: +5.04 V (min = +4.50 V, max = +5.48 V) VBat: +4.08 V -- mathieu perrenoud -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
I'd say use Mandrake again, before you ruin yourself. - Original Message - From: mathieu perrenoud [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2003 1:00 AM Subject: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. I need your advice on this one! tia. -- mathieu -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
BIOS gave me +3,23 for the +3.3 (which is just the half of the 6.46 given by lm) -27.36 / 2 = -13.68 would be perfect. let's assume sensors also missed that div 2 VCore 2 is too strange to be accurate. I'm just worried by the -13.64, but there, the max and min are also pretty strange and 13.64 / 2 = 6.8 which wouldn't be that bad. Anyway, I don't know where to put the voltmeter... for 12V and 5V try the connector that goes into hard drive (or CD-ROM). But there is the problem, too. What if sensor is not measuring at the same spot as you are? On the other hand, what of the sensor is not right. I;m telling you all this because I don't want you to make the same mistake I've made 1000 times. In other words, DON'T TRUST THE INSTRUMENTS!!! I know that is the only way to check any value, but always have on mind that it may not be accurate. Good luck and tell us the results. PS. Maybe the best way to really check the voltage is to check it inside the power source. So, screwdriver in your hands and ... drill it. :o) Meka[ni] -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
Le Jeudi 9 Octobre 2003 14:05, brett holcomb a écrit : What's the factor of 2 for? I'd take the power supply to someone who can check it if you can't or get a new power supply. What's the wattage on the power supply? I don't know why there is that factor of 2, but I've often seen sensors wrong by this factor. How do I check my power supply? Where do I put the voltmeter? in the cables plug? I can't check the wattage right now. I'm @work. -- mathieu perrenoud -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
If the power supply has a spare cable that would attach to a disk drive use that. Usually you'll find black, red and yellow leads. Check DC volts between red and black and yellow and black. Unless you know that lmsensors is working correctly I'd ignore it - check the unit out. If you don't feel comfortable doing it find someone who does and have them do it. On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 14:21:43 +0200 mathieu [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Le Jeudi 9 Octobre 2003 14:05, brett holcomb a écrit : What's the factor of 2 for? I'd take the power supply to someone who can check it if you can't or get a new power supply. What's the wattage on the power supply? I don't know why there is that factor of 2, but I've often seen sensors wrong by this factor. How do I check my power supply? Where do I put the voltmeter? in the cables plug? I can't check the wattage right now. I'm @work. -- mathieu perrenoud -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
Meka[ni] ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: BIOS gave me +3,23 for the +3.3 (which is just the half of the 6.46 given by lm) -27.36 / 2 = -13.68 would be perfect. let's assume sensors also missed that div 2 VCore 2 is too strange to be accurate. I'm just worried by the -13.64, but there, the max and min are also pretty strange and 13.64 / 2 = 6.8 which wouldn't be that bad. Anyway, I don't know where to put the voltmeter... for 12V and 5V try the connector that goes into hard drive (or CD-ROM). But there is the problem, too. What if sensor is not measuring at the same spot as you are? On the other hand, what of the sensor is not right. I;m telling you all this because I don't want you to make the same mistake I've made 1000 times. In other words, DON'T TRUST THE INSTRUMENTS!!! I know that is the only way to check any value, but always have on mind that it may not be accurate. Good luck and tell us the results. PS. Maybe the best way to really check the voltage is to check it inside the power source. So, screwdriver in your hands and ... drill it. :o) Okay, I'll be that guy... -don't- take apart the power supply. Even when turned off it can kill you. No, I'm not kidding. If you're not accustomed to dealing with power and power supplies, don't mess with it. All you need to do to determine if it is the PS is disconnect the connectors going to the mobo. Turn it on. With a voltmeter set to DC 25v or 50v, place the black lead on something grounded, and probe the different pins of the mobo power connector with the red lead. If you still see the wacky values, there is your problem. If not, well, then I'm at a loss. I personally think lm_sensors is correct. Especially considering the HW failures you've described. Cooper. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
On Thursday 09 October 2003 09:13 am, Jason Cooper wrote: Meka[ni] ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: BIOS gave me +3,23 for the +3.3 (which is just the half of the 6.46 given by lm) -27.36 / 2 = -13.68 would be perfect. let's assume sensors also missed that div 2 VCore 2 is too strange to be accurate. I'm just worried by the -13.64, but there, the max and min are also pretty strange and 13.64 / 2 = 6.8 which wouldn't be that bad. Anyway, I don't know where to put the voltmeter... for 12V and 5V try the connector that goes into hard drive (or CD-ROM). But there is the problem, too. What if sensor is not measuring at the same spot as you are? On the other hand, what of the sensor is not right. I;m telling you all this because I don't want you to make the same mistake I've made 1000 times. In other words, DON'T TRUST THE INSTRUMENTS!!! I know that is the only way to check any value, but always have on mind that it may not be accurate. Good luck and tell us the results. PS. Maybe the best way to really check the voltage is to check it inside the power source. So, screwdriver in your hands and ... drill it. :o) Okay, I'll be that guy... -don't- take apart the power supply. Even when turned off it can kill you. No, I'm not kidding. If you're not accustomed to dealing with power and power supplies, don't mess with it. All you need to do to determine if it is the PS is disconnect the connectors going to the mobo. Turn it on. With a voltmeter set to DC 25v or 50v, place the black lead on something grounded, and probe the different pins of the mobo power connector with the red lead. If you still see the wacky values, there is your problem. If not, well, then I'm at a loss. I personally think lm_sensors is correct. Especially considering the HW failures you've described. Cooper. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list Lm-sensors IS suspect though I would want to verify with a meter. Many sensor chips have rather limited support. Nforce boards while supported in version 2.8.0 still get some wierd voltage readings: Adapter: SMBus nForce2 adapter at 5000 Algorithm: Non-I2C SMBus adapter VCore 1: +1.60 V (min = +1.40 V, max = +1.69 V) +3.3V: +3.32 V (min = +2.97 V, max = +3.63 V) +5V: +2.99 V (min = +2.68 V, max = +3.26 V) +12V: +1.47 V (min = +2.84 V, max = +3.45 V) -12V: +2.67 V (min = +0.33 V, max = +0.78 V) -5V: +1.26 V (min = +0.70 V, max = +1.02 V) actual voltages are within limits. -- Regards, Ernie 100% Microsoft and Intel free -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
RE: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
To Test if the Powersupply is bad: 1) Remove PSU from the case all together. 2) Look at the ATX connector, there will be a Green wire. Short this wire to ground with a small wire or conductive material (paperclip, etc) 3) If you have a voltmeter handy, Voltages on the ATX supply should read as follows (around %5 tolerance) Orange +3.3v Yellow +12v Red +5v PIN SIGNAL PIN SIGNAL 1 3.3V 11 3.3V 2 3.3V 12 -12V 3 GND 13 GND 4 5V 14 PS_ON 5 GND 15 GND 6 5V 16 GND 7 GND 17 GND 8 PW_OK 18 -5V 9 5V_SB 19 5V 10 12V 20 5V However, the powersupply could very well show correct voltages on the bench, but in the case and under load it will fail. Checking power while the computer is on and running wouldn't be the best thing for your componants either. Also, saying you're having problems isnt any more helpful than saying help X doesn't work. I had a drive that was clicking. Thought it was DOA so I returned it, the second one did the same. No its not Windows XP or Gentoo's fault. It was my faulty power supply. CPU overheating? If you have a decent heatsink (Even the OEM AMD heatsinks are good enough), did you use thermal grease? This makes a HUGE difference, much more than one would realize. Northbridge and RAM overheating is a heat issue in the case (needs more air flow). Ramdom Lockups in X (or Windows) not caused by overheating CPU are caused by overheating Video card or crappy video drivers. Check to see if the card is hot to the touch when it locks up. A faulty power supply can cause any/all of the above. A Note on choosing your power supply. Don't go blindly with the biggest 500w power supply you can find. Research a high quality supply and it will never fail you. Many power supply companies still use the old ATX power distribution standard of having like, 50amps on the +3.3 and 5v rails, and like, 10 amps on the +12v. The problem with this is although it worked fine for the 3.3 and 5v chips like the old Pentium II's and 3, for the new AMD XP and Pentium 4 chips, they rely on the +12v rail. An XP 2500 can draw up to 7 amps of current from your 12v rail!. Combine that with the current that other 12v devices such as fans and harddrives use up, you can quickly saturate and fry your 12v rail out of your powersupply. In general, find the ps that has the largest capacity +12v rail you can afford. Antec makes very nice powersupplys. The True430 is a definite winner. http://www.antec-inc.com/specs/true430_spe.html This is the one I have, http://www.directron.com/4fanpsu.html The blue one. Made by a company called TTGI , I've put this under serious stress. 6 harddrives (two 120 gig IDE, 4 80gig SATA :D ), CD-RW/ DVD 4 sticks of ram, geforce 4, Xp 3200. 8 .25amp fans, 3 case lights The last thing I swear !! http://firingsquad.gamers.com/guides/power_supply/ -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
Excellent advice on shopping. I've used PC Power and Cooling supplies for years and found they work very very well, too. On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 09:54:23 -0500 Bjorn Sodergren [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: To Test if the Powersupply is bad: Don't go blindly with the biggest 500w power supply you can find. Research a high quality supply and it will never fail you. Many power supply companies -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
RE: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
Excellent advice on shopping. I've used PC Power and Cooling supplies for years and found they work very very well, too. PC Power and Cooling makes great products. Very reliable. I've had 3 and not a one has failed. The machines have all been stable. I use one of their Silencer 400's right now and it's been great. My only complaint is that it's not nearly as quiet as they quote on the web page, at least according to my db meter. My Gentoo box is using an Antec with a variable fan. I run it at minimum speed and it's more quiet than the Silencer, however, sometimes the Gentoo box doesn't boot correctly. Possibly a power supply issue, but also possibly an Asus BIOS issue. (One long beep, three short beeps - no vga code, and no video.) Zalman is another good company that has more recently started shipping power supplies. They have one they say is 'Zero Noise'. Believable? - Mark -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
RE: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
On Thu, 9 Oct 2003, Mark Knecht wrote: My Gentoo box is using an Antec with a variable fan. I run it at minimum speed and it's more quiet than the Silencer, however, sometimes the Gentoo box doesn't boot correctly. Possibly a power supply issue, but also possibly an Asus BIOS issue. (One long beep, three short beeps - no vga code, and no video.) Video problem. Try reseating your video card. http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/ -- Marshal Newrock, unemployed Linux user in Lansing, MI Caution: Product will be hot after heating -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
RE: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
Video problem. Try reseating your video card. http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/ Marshal, Thanks. I've done all that. Removed the video card and used another one. It only happens with this video card, but it's not a seating problem. I think it's a power supply issue. My ears are pretty sensitive. The disk drive doesn't spin up to full rotational speed when this happens. I can listen to the sound of the machine when it's booting and tell you whether the box is going to boot or not. I boots fine about 9 out of 10 times, so I haven't worried too much about it. Unfortunately it seems to fail far more often on a remote reboot, which is strange, isn't it? The machine is up and fine, I'm logged in with ssh, tell it to reboot, and come home later to find it in this hung state. Fun, fun, fun... ;-) Cheers, Mark -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
[gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. I need your advice on this one! tia. -- mathieu -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. Who made the power supply and how old is it? Cooper. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:04, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. Who made the power supply and how old is it? power man 2 1/2 years -- mathieu -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
What is it's power rating in watts? On Wednesday 08 October 2003 19:19, you wrote: On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:04, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. Who made the power supply and how old is it? power man 2 1/2 years -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
Re: [gentoo-user] gentoo killed my pc
mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: On Thursday 09 October 2003 01:04, Jason Cooper wrote: mathieu perrenoud ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) scribbled: okay, me again! since I've installed gentoo, I've had problems with my HD. np, bought a new one. mobo's chipset hoverheating: no problemo: bought 2 fans. mobo got freezed 4 times the same day: well... ok: changed cpu, changed ram, changed mobo. now everything (almost) is brand new! reboot. cool, everything works.. For a while. then everything gets stuck again. I can move my mouse for a while. then everything is really stuck. So... I've got: new ram, new hd, new motherboard, new ram What can I do now? Buy a new video card and hope that the problem came from there? I've used my pc 3 years with mandrake without prolem. Who made the power supply and how old is it? power man 2 1/2 years If you have a voltmeter, I would check the voltage values (maybe the bios or lmsensors too?). If a voltage regulator failed, it would definitely lead to a series of different component failures. The values you should see are +/- 3.3v, +/-5v, or +/-12v. Not sure all of those will be present, but those are typical. If you see anything 10% away from standard values, then that's probably the source of your problems. If you want definite values for each wire (Assuming ATX): http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/atx/atx2_1.pdf I would focus on 5v and 12v leads, since you had HD failures. If it is the power supply, take a look at pcpowerandcooling.com, I've been using their cases for years without a hitch. Mine has even survived two transcontinental household moves, and two cross-country road trips in the back of my jeep (San Diego to Baltimore and vice versa) :) HTH, Cooper. -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list
