My computer is dying - I need to build another.

[CheapToad]

For now all I want is a computer that is just a bit better then this one and that I can play wow with the highest resolution.


My current system
Shuttle SN85G4
AMD Athlon 64 3400+
2 gig ram
Radeon x1650
2GB DDR400

I can still use:
internal and external HD
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
CD/DVD drive
PSU if needed

With spending as little cash as possible what could I build? Keeping in mind that in 6 month to a year I will be upgrading that new system

[Solostaran]

What, exactly, is the problem with the current one? That one doesn't look as if WoW would give it any trouble.

[CheapToad]

It keeps crashing. I bought a new PSU and the first thing it did was crash (shut down) again. I'm not sure if it's my Mobo, processor, Video card,.....

And now it seems to crash when I sync my Iphone

[Morning]

So, the guy who is starting a computer repair service is asking for computer repair advice.

I'll take "Irony" for $1000, Alex!

[CheapToad]

So, the guy who is starting a computer repair service is asking for computer repair advice.

I'll take "Irony" for $1000, Alex!

Very funny :)

I may have figured it out. A few months ago I moved my computer to the other side of the room and I had to use an extension cord. The only thing I was able to find was one of those white ones that you use for fans a stuff. Maybe there just is not enough juice in there.

Nope, not it. It died again one I tried to sync my iPhone. This is pissing me off. It wasn't doing that last week. It was crashing during WoW but not during a sync.

[ThaMan]

When it crashes (shuts down) does it shut down gracefully, blue screen, or just cut off like you flipped the Power Switch?

[CheapToad]

When it crashes (shuts down) does it shut down gracefully, blue screen, or just cut off like you flipped the Power Switch?

Just shuts off suddenly.

It was doing ok today for a bit until I downloaded the new iTunes.

I wonder if it can be my USB drivers?

Ok not ITunes it crashed without it even running
Not USB drivers I wasn't even using them

[CheapToad]

Well it shut down on me again and then wouldn't start up for several minutes. It sounds like the mobo/processor.

So back to my original question.

What can I buy to make a slightly better system

[ThaMan]

Do you have a different video card you can try? I've had a video card cause the same problem you are describing. Only once, but that's enough for me.

[Walterus]

Do you have a different video card you can try? I've had a video card cause the same problem you are describing. Only once, but that's enough for me.

I have had the same thing happening to me, but only when the load on the graphics card was so high the fan started running. Turned out the air intace for the fan was blocked with dust (stupid Dell PC's that draws the air in from the back where theres allways dusty).

[CheapToad]

Just tried an older video card and it did the same thing

[ThaMan]

Well it shut down on me again and then wouldn't start up for several minutes. It sounds like the mobo/processor.

So back to my original question.

What can I buy to make a slightly better system
Why are you so anxious to buy a replacement? You should take this opportunity to learn all you can to fix the problem. You may have a customer with the same problem one day, and if you can fix it, instead of buying a new one, you are doing the best thing for your customer.

If you want to make money in the computer business, you need to know as much as you can to help the customer as inexpensively as possible. That's how you make money. Most everyone else is doing it as fast as possible, without thinking, because their techs are not knowledgeable. Anyone can replace everything in a system. To only replace the one bad part takes some uncommon sense and troubleshooting skills.

[CheapToad]

Good point.

Although I hate being without a reliable computer.

[ThaMan]

Just tried an older video card and it did the same thing
Do you have an old Hard Drive laying around? At this point, I would put an old hard drive in, and re-format with Windows. Then test again. This will tell you whether it is software or hardware. If it does it with a fresh install, it's definitely hardware. Then we can go on from there.

[Morning]

Maybe it's a virus. I hear it's easy to get them from porn sites.

[CheapToad]

Who? Me? Porn?

Just as a precaution I did run all my clean up software.

I'm pretty sure that something is over heating. I'm going to completely clean out the computer later today.


Hmmm, I just remembered something. A few weeks back the computer turned on all by itself in the middle of the night. And although it's in a different plug my alarm clock has been resetting itself.

Maybe I'll try a UPS.

[Freejack]

Honestly, this sounds like a PSU problem. This is exactly the same symptoms I had with my Shuttle (SN95 I think). I ordered a replacement PSU that, unfortunately, wasn't an exactly replacement since they don't make that model anymore. Meant I had to cut out a section of the rear of the case so I'd be able to plug it in and it's also lower wattage, but whatever... Anyway, I know you said you have already replaced the PSU, but that still sounds like the issue to me.

Just do a search on shuttle PSU problems and you'll find others reporting the same symptoms with random shutdowns and the like.

[Namoric]

Boot with the Ubuntu boot disk you have, see if it still shuts down. If so, you KNOW it's a hardware problem, not a software issue.

[ThaMan]

Boot with the Ubuntu boot disk you have, see if it still shuts down. If so, you KNOW it's a hardware problem, not a software issue.
Good suggestion Nam. I never thought of the Ubuntu disk. It would be as good a test as my suggestion, without having to replace the HD.

Well done.


Honestly, this sounds like a PSU problem. ... Anyway, I know you said you have already replaced the PSU, but that still sounds like the issue to me.That was my thoughts exactly. Walking him through the series of tests in the order I would do them, the PSU would be the last thing I test since it is brand new. It is definitely not out of the question.

[Morning]

http://www.warwicksu.com/asset/event/4004/sledgehammer.jpg

[CheapToad]

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SkuSearch_v2.asp?SCriteria=BA25175

replacement PSU

BTW, My computer had been running for the past several hours and the only thing I've been using is my browser.

[CheapToad]

Actually the original was a 250w PSU or maybe even a 200W.

Think they would be powerful enough?

[ThaMan]

For that system, the PSU should be plenty at 300w.

Have you looked to make sure the fans are all working? CPU, Chipset, GPU?

I've seen heat problems cause shutdowns before too. Especially if the system has overheat protection built in. It will shut down with no warning.

[Freejack]

I think my original PSU was a 250W and the replacement I found was a 220W. It's also louder... but it does seem to work (for now), so that's something.

Anyway, there's no guarantee that it's a perfectly working PSU or hasn't broken since you installed it. I think mine went bad when I tripped a breaker in the house which cut the machine off, which seems totally benign, but apparently wasn't.

So, you should absolutely add something like a PSU Tester (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899705002) to your bag of tools.


I've seen heat problems cause shutdowns before too. Especially if the system has overheat protection built in. It will shut down with no warning.

That's exactly what I thought when I was having trouble with my Shuttle. I had tried moving cables around and dusting it out and then even tried it with the case off. The cutoffs were random (very often during the boot process) and had nothing to do with CPU or video usage that would typically impact system heat. That's when I began checking around the 'net and found others who had this problem and solved it by replacing the PSU.

[CheapToad]

Get this.

I wanted to try something so I put the computer back the way it was and the only thing I changed was the outlet and I'm not using that extension cord. The power strip is going directly into the outlet.

So far syncing my iPhone hasn't crashed the computer. Now to try wow

Worked for over an hour on lowest setting in Wow.

Now to try higher and OC my card like it used to be

[ThaMan]

You do know that when you work with computers, you spend 95% of your time in the Twilight Zone, don't you?

[CheapToad]

After a few hours of playing on high resolution not one problem. And all I had to do was switch outlets and get rid of the extension cord.

[ThaMan]

So, it was a PSU problem after all. The major Power Supply ;)