PS going out?

[Jeeprs69]

Can a bad Ps cause the computer to appear to come on but monitor doesn't.
Have to hard restart once or twice. Before the Monitor does.
It's a
4800x2 sckt 939
Asus A8n32sli deluxe
2 gb ddr400
Evga 8800 gts
unknown power supply....

 

[Zero82z]

It can, but that can also be caused by a motherboard issue. Are you having any other problems with the PC during its operation? Are you experiencing random freezing or system crashes? Also, please take a look at the PSU label and post as much information from it as you can.

 

[Jeeprs69]

can't get to the label. But it's the stock one that comes in a Budget Antec case.
when the computer boots, it seems to take a while to go from the boot screen(Asus logo screen) to actual booting. Most games play fine. Combat Arms is the only game he seems to "lag" at. While 2 other computers on the same network run ok...

Here is the case- has info about PS. Seems it's a Antec 350W
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?Type=Mg==&id=NjY5

 

[Zero82z]

The 350W Smartpower PSU in your computer is pretty mediocre, but it doesn't sound like it's causing any problems. A faulty or underpowered PSU will not cause slowdowns or lag.

 

[Jeeprs69]

ok Thanks.

 

[MR_PERFECT]

Sounds more like a ram issue than anything,but the mainboard would be my next choice.

 

[KILLER_K]

You can use everest to monitor the power in the power supply for voltage. Secondly you can check the caps on the motherboard to see if they are getting dome shaped, indicating they are bad or going bad.

Also check the ram voltage and timings and make sure they are set to spec.

And 350 watt power supply is fine as long as you aren't doing sli or crossfire. Or running some ungodly power hungry gpu then common sense tells you they video card sucks more juice then the computer does, lol.

Good Day

 

[Dangman]

You can use everest to monitor the power in the power supply for voltage.

The problem is that neither BIOs or software is accurate at all when reading PSU voltages. You need to use a Digital Multi-meter to measure PSU voltages.

 

[KILLER_K]

The problem is that neither BIOs or software is accurate at all when reading PSU voltages. You need to use a Digital Multi-meter to measure PSU voltages.

But it is close enough to give a average user without a multi-meter some info on what is going on with the power supply. As most aren't real happy to go probing with a multi in their pc while it is on.

Good Day

 

[Zero82z]

But it is close enough to give a average user without a multi-meter some info on what is going on with the power supply.

No, actually it isn't. The readings can be wildly off the mark, and the only way to know whether or not that is the case is to confirm with a multimeter. So it makes more sense to just use a multimeter in the first place and avoid screwing around with software voltage readings from the crappy Winbond chip on your motherboard.

 

[MR_PERFECT]

I feel a power struggle coming on in here.

 

[KILLER_K]

Then you go and tell every manufactor in the pc world NOT to include temp reading sensors on anything we need anymore it is useless. From what you are saying they should just send you a multi-meter in the box when you buy a cpu, video card, hard drive, ram, etc.

Like i said most don't even have as multi-meter to start with. Same goes if you aren't a electrician, i'm sure you wouldn't go sticking a multi-meter in a breaker-box........

Good Day

 

[Zero82z]

Then you go and tell every manufactor in the pc world NOT to include temp reading sensors on anything we need anymore it is useless.

As a matter of fact, it is quite useless most of the time. The only way to get half-decent temperature readings from modern PC components is by reading off the sensors embedded into CPUs and GPUs. Motherboard temperature sensors are extremely inaccurate.

From what you are saying they should just send you a multi-meter in the box when you buy a cpu, video card, hard drive, ram, etc.

A multimeter is optional, and is only necessary if you actually need to monitor your voltages properly. Most people don't need to, so it would be wasteful to package one with every motherboard or PSU or what have you.

Like i said most don't even have as multi-meter to start with. Same goes if you aren't a electrician, i'm sure you wouldn't go sticking a multi-meter in a breaker-box........

A breaker box is a different issue entirely. And whether or not most people have a multimeter already doesn't affect the fact that motherboard voltage monitoring is completely inaccurate and is useless as an indicator of anything.

 

[KILLER_K]

You know i'm done arguing with you. We are trying to help him and all you can do is cry about some sensors you don't like. Well tuff, we all have stuff we don't like. Either help the guy or stop crying.

Good Day

 

[Zero82z]

You know i'm done arguing with you. We are trying to help him and all you can do is cry about some sensors you don't like. Well tough titty, we all have stuff we don't like. Either help the guy or stop crying.

Good Day

Using a multimeter to check voltages is an extremely simple and straightforward process, and there is a very good guide right here: http://www.bfgpower.com/troubleshooting.html#DMM

If done properly, there is no risk of damaging anything while using a multimeter. And the cost of replacing all of your components after they are damaged by a PSU which is supplying bad voltages would be considerably higher than the cost of simply replacing the PSU or sending it in through an RMA to avoid harming anything else.

As for going by software voltage readings, it's quite possible that a piece of software will report voltages as being in spec when they are actually not, which could result in damage to the components without the user's knowledge. Similarly, the software can report out-of-spec voltages when the PSU is really supplying good power, so the user will end up purchasing a new PSU when the old one was working perfectly the whole time. So using a multimeter can save a lot of money and a lot of headaches. And it is an undeniable fact that a multimeter is significantly more accurate than software voltage monitoring is.

I see that you've deleted your post, but it is clear that you do not have a very good understanding of this subject, so I would advise you to refrain from criticizing people who know what they're talking about much more than you do. And if you're concerned about helping out, then you shouldn't suggest that people go by software voltage readings, since that is bad advice indeed.

 

[[Spectre]]

You know i'm done arguing with you. We are trying to help him and all you can do is cry about some sensors you don't like. Well tuff, we all have stuff we don't like. Either help the guy or stop crying.

Good Day

Telling someone the proper way to troubleshoot an issue is helping. Software is not correct, and his problem is most likely not the power supply to begin with.

 

[KILLER_K]

Telling someone the proper way to troubleshoot an issue is helping. Software is not correct, and his problem is most likely not the power supply to begin with.

I haven't said it was the power supply to start with. I gave hime 3 things to check, nothing more nothing less.

Good Day

 

[Dangman]

I haven't said it was the power supply to start with. I gave hime 3 things to check, nothing more nothing less.

Good Day

The problem is that out of the three things you gave to check, one of those was not good advice. Simple as that.

 

[KILLER_K]

The problem is that out of the three things you gave to check, one of those was not good advice. Simple as that.

No one in here knows what the issue you so you can drop that b/s. We all give him something to try it is simple as that. If he knew then he wouldn't be in here asking now would he.

And you said check power supply in your first post, now everyone else say's it isn't so are you going to eat your words on not good advice also?

Good Day

 

[Dangman]

And you said check power supply in your first post, now everyone else say's it isn't so are you going to eat your words on not good advice also?

Good Day

My first post in this thread was to correct your mistake about the PSU voltages, not what the actual problem was.

 

[[Spectre]]

With that covered, back to the OP's question so this thread doesn't get closed down.

 

[MR_PERFECT]

Alot of BS slinging is moving around in here.Let me start by saying I think a mod coming in here fussing is wrong.The problem is the issue we should focus on more than the fussing side of things.

Could it be the ps?Very much so.If the ps is weak then the more heat and stress put on it can with out a doubt make your pc drag,and drag very badley.If there is dust in the fan causing it to overheat,low voltage being sent to the cpu fan etc.The ps can have many things wrong with it to cause a pc to lag.Is the ps the problem? I nor anyone else in here knows,but for a mod to come in and jump on a another member in here and not be total correct is what he his saying is very wrong.I seen the person give advice and thats what this forum is all about.

 

[Zero82z]

Could it be the ps?Very much so.If the ps is weak then the more heat and stress put on it can with out a doubt make your pc drag,and drag very badley.If there is dust in the fan causing it to overheat,low voltage being sent to the cpu fan etc.The ps can have many things wrong with it to cause a pc to lag.

A faulty PSU will not cause lag or slowdowns. That is simply not a possible occurrence. What a faulty PSU can do is cause crashes and prevent a PC from starting up. However, it's very much an all or nothing type of situation.

Anyway, the OP's issue probably isn't caused by the PSU. It sounds more like an issue with either the motherboard, the video card, or the monitor itself.

for a mod to come in and jump on a another member in here and not be total correct is what he his saying is very wrong.I seen the person give advice and thats what this forum is all about.

That person gave incorrect advice, and then jumped down my throat when I corrected him about it. Criticizing Paul for trying to maintain order (which is his job as a moderator) is completely uncalled for.