Author Topic: Got symtoms...Is this a power problem? (Read 320 times)

dragon25 · « **on:** December 27, 2006, 07:21:01 PM »

Will be playing AH for a few minutes...All of a sudden the puter locks up for about 25 seconds, and then reboots. Hasn't done this with any other game I play. I thought it may have been the new video card I installed, but after may trials and errors I have no reason it's the card. Here are my system specs:

AMD 3200+ 2ghz prosessor
1 80 Gig HD (this is a new addition)
1 40 gig HD
a DVD writer
Nvidia 6200 video card, 256 MB ram
1.5 GB ram
300 Watt power supply.

~~to the community for putting up /w my dweeb questions and horrid spelling~~

Schatzi · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2006, 07:36:50 PM »

If the computer reboots on his own, id do two things.

First, check your temperatures (especiall y the one of the graphics card).

Then go for a BIG hunt on spyware/malware.
One indication of infection is your CPU usage. CTRL_ALT_DEL and go to task manager, then look at the bottom of the window. CPU usage should be in between 0 and 2% (provided no other programs are currently open of course). If its any higher, youre likely to have an unwanted process running in the background.

The Fugitive · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2006, 08:01:23 PM »

Well the 6200 card is not that high end of a card and the game is pretty heavy in the graphics department, so that might be a problem. You could test it by deleting your video8.cfg file from the settings folder. Restart the game and try turning the textures down to 512, or even 256 if you were at 512 before, then try the game again. What video card were you using before this one?

A 300 watt powersupply, is on the low side as well, but luckily you have a crappy video card do it won't be pulling a lot of juice.

dragon25 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2006, 09:53:19 PM »

Had a 256 MB Asus onboard video. Didin't do to bad, but it was time for an upgrade, even if the upgrade wasn't that big a jump. I've deleted AH for mmy system and am also going to try a fresh install.

Roscoroo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2006, 10:41:34 PM »

not enough power . ifs its a cheapy generic power supply im suprised it hasnt popped yet.

also do a ctrl alt del and check you running processes .

dragon25 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2006, 10:44:46 PM »

Killed all the BS processes a while back. As for the power, I kinda figured what was going on when I put a 2nd HD in, and then a new video card. Thinking 400 watts should do it.

loony1 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2006, 09:20:59 AM »

really with 2 HDs and vid card it would do you better to get a power supply larger than 400. It would help especially if you want to upgrade to a 512 vid card later that are plugged directly into your power supply

dragon25 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2006, 09:34:30 AM »

Good point about the Video card power issue.....Now, who sells power supplies for Asus boards. Tried a 400 watt supply the other night, and the damn thing's plug to the mother board and the mother board connector where not compatable....

The power supply's port looked like this: OOOOOOOOOOOOOO
----------------------------
OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Boards supply: 000000000000000000000000
--------------------------------------
000000000000000000000000

The "0"s are actually boxes.

The Fugitive · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2006, 09:53:23 AM »

power supplys come in two styles, AT and ATX. Look on your old powersupply to see which type you have. It should have a name plate on it.

Cheap isn't always best. You can find a 600 watt for $50, but it just won't push a solid voltage all the time and could cause you trouble. Also, spending a bit more now could save you money down the road. If you plan on keeping your computer for awhile and upgrading it a bit at a time, getting a 600-650 watt now will be able to handle bigger video cards down the road. Spending $75 now for a powersuppy, then having to up grade to a 650 next year at $100 just wastes money.