PC problems - seeking guidence

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NfiniteZERO

n00b
Joined
Feb 9, 2005
Messages
23
My PC keeps having some problems and I am very quickly losing patience. I need help :confused:

1) Plugging in USB drive turns computer off. (Resolved?? 1/20/06 1528MDT)
2) Keep getting MCEs while running CoD2
3) PC has trouble starting.

P/S - Antec 430W dual 12v rails at 17a each.
MB - GB GA-K8N51GMF-9 (Nvidia 6100/Nforce430) with latest BIOS (F2)
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (Venice) @ stock speed with AMD HSF
RAM - 2GB (4x512M) Corsair ValueSelect DDR400
GFX - Nvidia GeForce 6800GS
OS - Windows XP Home SP2 w/ latest updates
Other - DVD Burner, DVD Drive, FDD, Hitachi 160GB/8M/7200rpm HDD

Temps - CPU/44C, System/35C, GFX/44C (highest)
 
Are you running your motherboard's most up-to-date BIOS? That seems to have the greatest impact on the "USB device kills the computer" problems.

Oh shits, you are running the latest BIOS. You may have to wait a while, or RMA the board for a different manufacture's equivalent. Also, that all seems in line with motherboard or memory instability, so an RMA or return might not be out of order. Can you burn this http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/ to a disk? Run some diagnostics before you start dissasembly.
 
What about plugging in a different type of USB device? Other than a HDD. Does it happen with anything being plugged into the USB port?
 
What about plugging in a different type of USB device? Other than a HDD. Does it happen with anything being plugged into the USB port?
Click to expand...

Dunno, but I will try it ASAP - I'm at school right now. I will try the ultimate boot cd idea as well.

Forgot to mention Memtest86 came up clean on 2 passes and all components were bought new in Dec.

Thanks for the help!
 
Interesting. Is it giving you a BSOD when you plug in the device? XP Home has issues anyway... I've had several users that will get stuck in an endless reboot from just having a USB drive (thumb/etc..) plugged in during bootup.
 
Interesting. Is it giving you a BSOD when you plug in the device? XP Home has issues anyway... I've had several users that will get stuck in an endless reboot from just having a USB drive (thumb/etc..) plugged in during bootup.
Click to expand...

Not really, I have to literally KICK my computer to make it start. Wierd, eh?

USB drive seems to be working now?? Wasn't working when I had to print something from the disk this morning :rolleyes:

All other problems still very unsolved. Thanks for all the help though.
 
NfiniteZERO said:
Not really, I have to literally KICK my computer to make it start. Wierd, eh?
Click to expand...
Not really. It sounds like you've grounded your motherboard to the chassis via the I/O bracket on the back of the case. On the I/O bracket around the USB/Network/Ports are sections of aluminum that are cut to act like a spring when you install your motherboard. If you don't line it up correctly, one of the pieces will catch on a port causing it to ground your board. Its either that, or, when mounting the board one of your standoffs is making contact with a conductive part of the board. Many times someone will put their board in without checking that all the pre-set screws for the chassis are needed or correspond to the correct holes needed for the motherboard thus causing a ground out.

-E
 
Interesting idea, MrE. I'll double check how everything looks inside the case. I may also look into some rubber grommets to go between the board and the chassis (which in this case is a Compaq S3000Z case). Thanks for the idea.
 
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