PC freezing up...help

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 7:57 pm

I recently upgraded my ECS K7VZA 3.0 mobo with an AMD 2400+ 2 Ghz CPU. I only have a 300W power supply and was wondering if it was possible that my PC would freeze up due to insufficient power. I have a few other things to look into as far as why it may be freezing up, however, the power supply issue is something that I have no experience with and thought I would ask you folks. Thanks in advance for any help...

ub3r_n00b · Post by **ub3r_n00b** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 8:15 pm

I dont think it is the powersupply

What else is your computer powering up??

(Example ammount of hard-drives, fans, and ammount of PCI slots and all that stuff)

Need a bit more info

-Preet

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 8:23 pm

Thanks for the post. I have a Hercules Fortissimo II sound card, a Nvidia GForce 2 MX 400 64M video card, a Lite-On 24x10x40x CD-RW drive, a 5.25" bay three fan HDD cooler, and a WD 40 Gig HD. With my CPU upgrade I went from a 1.4Ghz AMD Athlon CPU (had no problems with this chip) to an Athlon XP 2400+ 2.0 Ghz chip. I updated the bios to the latest version and all my other hardware drivers before thinking about the possibility of a insufficient power supply...

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 9:12 pm

Probably a heat issue...what fan/heatsink are you using on your CPU?

ub3r_n00b · Post by **ub3r_n00b** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 9:47 pm

yeah what heatsink / any thermal compound / is it on properly...

You can add a few 80 mm fans in there to get some airflow

If you have stock heatsink - i would suggest upgrading to a Vantec Airflow with Arctic Silver Ceramique ( it wont void your warranty because its not conductive like AS3 )

ne ways.. eyar blar

-Preet

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Sun Jun 15, 2003 11:13 pm

Yes, I am using the heatsink and fan that came with the 2 gig CPU. I am running at about 41 degrees celcius (about 106 farenheit) which is lower than my old CPU. Maybe I'll try a better heatsink and fan as was suggested. The fan that came with the new CPU had a thermal pad attached which doesn't look like it would do much good.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 1:40 pm

It's not just a CPU cooling issue...do you have case fans?

ub3r_n00b · Post by **ub3r_n00b** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 6:33 pm

burke at 41 degrees its not a CPU heat issue..

I would suggest adding 2 80 MM fans in your case just because airflow = ub3r

But i dont think its a heat problem

-Preet

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:03 pm

Originally posted by Burke
It's NOT just a CPU cooling issue...do you have case fans?

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:16 pm

No 80mm case fans as was suggested (yet). I do have three fans blowing into the case from one of my empty 5.25 bays. I figured this is a good way to get some airflow through the case.

Right now I have it running with the case open to see if heat may actually be the issue...so far so good. If it does end up being a heat issue at least I know I can fix this relatively easily and inexpensively. Thanks for all the help in this thread...it's nice to know that we all have resources out there in cyberspace that are knowlegable and willing to help.

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Mon Jun 16, 2003 8:46 pm

Looks like heat was my issue. My PC has been on and running with the case open for about 1.5 hours and no freeze up. Usually it froze up after about 10 to 15 minutes. Thanks to all for helping me out !!!! You guys/gals are the best.