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PSU problem or not?

Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
7
Hey guys, new to this forum.

Alright, so here's the scoop. I have a custom built gaming PC that was working fine when it was first put together. Then out of no where, it started freezing and I'd have to reboot.

It did that for a while, and then it started actually rebooting on me out of no where! It kept doing that for a while, and then finally it just wouldn't turn on.

I'm talking, no lights, no noise, nothing, like it was bricked. I got frusterated and left it alone for a few months. Every once in a while i'd try it, and nothing would happen. Then a few months later, i tried it again for the hell of it. It turned on!

Only problem is, that's all it does. It turns on, lights and all that, but nothing shows on my monitor. It acts as if the monitor isn't connected to it at all.

I just went out and bought a new PSU, and that didn't help, so now I don't know what kind of problem it could be. Help please!!
 
Sounds like the motherboard or video card to me. If you aren't getting any beeps or a post screen on the monitor I would suspect the motherboard first.
 
I have a geforce 6100 m9. I think my friend who built it said something like it was the last of it's kind or something. Maybe it had something to do with the kind of CPU it uses? Can I just buy a new mother board and keep all my old stuff? (Meaning CPU, RAM, Video card)

Oh it's a socket 939. Aren't those out of date?
 
I have a geforce 6100 m9.
Afaict that has onboard graphics. Have you tried removing the video card and running with the onboard graphics? Have you tried disconnecting all drives etc? (it's rare but sometimes a failing drive can drag down the power rails)

Oh it's a socket 939. Aren't those out of date?
They are indeed. There are still a few 939 boards floating around as refurbs and new old stock but I personally would be very wary of buying such a board partly because even after the repair you will still likely have a very slow system by modern standards, partly because you are unlikely to get any usable support or warranty and finally because socket 939 dates to the time when capacitor plauge was in full swing).

Talking of capacitor plauge have you looked for failed capacitors? if you can see failed capacitors and you know someone who is good with a soldering iron replacing them may be worth considering.

If it's not obviously a capacitor problem and/or you don't know anyone who can recap it for free/cheap then IMO the only reasonable option is a new CPU/motherboard/ram.

What games did you use or plan to use the machine for? do you still plan to use it for gaming?
Do you know what processor and how much ram you had in the machine? (so we can say how it stacks up to more modern stuff)
can you tell us roughly where you live (at least what country). What parts are the best choice for those on a budget depends heavilly on what deals are available where you live?
 
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I live in Cape Cod, MA (USA obv)

Ok as for the specs..

3 gigs ddr ram. (1gig stick each)

cpu... honestly not sure... though kinda pointless now since in my frustration i bent about 10 of the pins accidently.

graphics card... nvidia 8800 gts.

Could play games like crysis on med settings no problem, and yes i mainly used it for gaming... Cost about 1300 to build this comp and now it's pretty much worthless...
 
Cost about 1300 to build this comp and now it's pretty much worthless...
Such is the march of progress though I would question why you were using a CPU socket that you knew was on it's way out in such an expensive machine. How long ago was this build?

Afaict for arround $150 (maybe $100 if you can find a good combo) you can pick up a CPU/motherboard that will be better than anything that was available for socket 939 and 4GB of ram to put in it. Something like (note: i'm not reccomending these specific parts just giving an idea).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103903
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128454
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748

You may also be able to sell your old ram on ebay, 1GB sticks of DDR seem to sell for quite a high price (presubablly because some people with older systems are trying to max them out).

Assuming it's PCIe (pretty sure it is from the models given) your existing graphics card should work fine in a new board.
 
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