We have a problem

Civilian · 2003-02-08, 09:56 PM

Today, I've started to have issues with my old PC(maybe it knows I am getting a new one

). Sometimes, when I boot up, it asks me for a boot disc and I've found that when this happens, it can't find my hard drive.

I've opened the case, checked all of the connections, removed the HD, switched connectors with the CD/DVD-rom drive and it now works most of the time, but every once in a while I still get this message. What could be causing this?

My specs are:
P3 1 GHZ
512 MB SDRAM
40 GB HD

I have considered that the power supply might be the problem. It's only 115 Watts and I'm not sure if my new TI-4200 might be part of the problem. I dunno, any ideas?

Navaron · 2003-02-08, 10:20 PM

Did this happen before the new card?

Civilian · 2003-02-08, 10:22 PM

Nope, never. And I've had the PC for 3.5 years now.

Navaron · 2003-02-08, 10:26 PM

I'd put money that the minimum power for that Grapics card alone is 200w. Thats your problem most likely. Some items just aren't getting the juice they need to start up on time.

Civilian · 2003-02-08, 10:32 PM

Ok, thanks.

I should probably get a new case anyway. In the interim, I think I'll unplug my floppy drive. (I haven't used it once since I've had this PC)

Civilian · 2003-02-09, 03:08 PM

Well, I've unplugged my floppy drive and I had the same thing happen this morning. I am now beginning to think the hard drive is about ready to crap out. In 3 years I have probably got what would be 8 years worth of running time on normal computers. I am going to just leave the power on until my new PC arrives, and then I might replace the HD. Oh well

Navaron · 2003-02-09, 05:05 PM

Hey, definately upgrade or loose that case. Does your new comp have a good case or are you building it? Here's the one I got, comes standard with a 420 and is a really good price. http://www.ditcorp.com/itemdesc.asp?...2XPWB&Cc=&tpc= Removing the floppy won't help your problem, they don't use alot of juice. Do you have a extra cd drive you could unhook?

Bighoss · 2003-02-09, 05:09 PM

threaten it

Civilian · 2003-02-09, 05:21 PM

Yeah my new PC has a Coolermaster ATC-110

Here's the one I got, comes standard with a 420 and is a really good price. http://www.ditcorp.com/itemdesc.asp...A2XPWB&Cc=&tpc=

That's a great case, and it's not that expensive. I would like to turn this old PC into sort of a project PC, where I can do some modding and upgrading, but I also want to continue using it for surfing the net and downloading music etc. That's probably the type of case I'm looking for. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll probably end up buying that.

Unfortunately, I only have 1 CD/DVD-rom drive(It's an old Gateway), so that's probably not an option.

When I get the new case for this one, I will probably add a cheap 80 GB HD, just to be sure.

Navaron · 2003-02-09, 05:26 PM

Hey if you've got a credit card you can get a SE Caviar WD 80 gig HD w/ 8mb cache from compusa's website for like 95 bucks. That's a great deal. It's also the one I got.

About that case, I'm VERY happy with it, I got it from DIT here in Omaha Nebraska, and they are a good company. That case has 4 led fans, plenty of space, and the best airflow I've seen in any of the comps I've been inside. Worth every penny. Hell a 420 powersupply is like 75 bucks.

Civilian · 2003-02-09, 05:41 PM

Cool, I'll check it out. That's about what I'd like to pay for a HD.

Thanks again.

Nomikahn · 2003-02-10, 12:21 PM

Heh, thats definately a power supply problem. I would say that system is running about 250w or so. Fortanetly, power supplies are very cheap

Civilian · 2003-02-10, 04:26 PM

I went ahead and bought myself a new case for this computer. I went with the Enermax FS-710 with a 330W power supply. The X-pider was awesome, but I decided there was no point putting the extra money in a case for a PC that I will probably end up rarely using and I wanted to go through NewEgg since I needed a couple of driver cables as well.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduc...S%2D710%2E+Bei

I did get the first pieces of my new PC today in the form of a Logitech keyboard and mouse. So I'll spend my days typing on my invisible PC until it arrives

SpaceDrake · 2003-02-11, 12:30 AM

Originally posted by Civilian
I have considered that the power supply might be the problem. It's only 115 Watts

That's your problem right there. A system with a GeForce 4 needs a minimum of 250 watts to run without fail (NVidia reccomends 300.)

But since you're upgrading anyway, it doesn't really matter.