Random Freezing: Monitor Looses Signal

[EDIT: I composed this message before I read the "Update 2" in your post above.]

Thanks for your additional detals, braddude.

I found a 5-page review of your PSU that mentions the +12V line dropping a "little low ".

I might be inclined to completely disconnect all non-essential hardware (except the sound card and video card) to reduce the power demands from the PSU as much as possible. If the freezes continue, then I would suspect the sound card's hardware/software (which might be conflicting with the video card or other hardware that is still attached).

If you have no issues, then I would suspect your PSU's ability do deliver enough power for your fully configured system.

However, I suppose it's possible there is a conflict with your sound card hardware/software and other hardware/software. I would try re-connecting your disconnected hardware (one at a time) to see if/when the freezes resurface.

If the freezes resurface, then disconnect all non-essential hardware again except for the sound card, video card, and component that was reconnected immediately before the freezes resurfaced (to be sure your power demands remain as low as possible). If the freezes continue, then I would suspect that component's hardware/software or the sound card's hardware/software.

These troubleshooting steps seem logical to me (on an empty stomach anyway). I'll get something to eat and revisit this thread later to review.

 

Please also take into consideration that my sound still doesn't work from the second crash, though I haven't rebooted my PC since.

 

Bumping because I need to decide now.

There are 1000 Watt PSU's on at Tigerdirect for 230, but if my soundcard is the problem, it'd save me all that cash to just exchange it for another one.

How can I be sure?

 

Try the sound card in a different computer.

Wil

 

The problem is, I don't have another computer, just two other laptops...

 

How old is the sound card? Is it still under warranty?

Does the computer lock up at all without the sound card installed?

Wil

 

1) I purchased the sound card a few months back, tops. It's basically brand new.

2) It does not freeze at all with the sound card removed.

 

Return the sound card, they will probably check it and either give you a new one or send it away for repair depending on their return policy.

Wil

 

So, I tell them that the soundcard is causing my computer to freeze? If I replace and the problem persists is it a power issue?

 

Yes, tell them that it is locking up your computer. They will test it to confirm.

When/if they replace it with another and it still locks up your computer, then I would look at changing the power supply.

Make sure to tell them how long it takes to lock up your computer roughly.

Wil

 

Thanks a lot, i'll return the card, get a new one, and inform you how it goes.

 

Alrighty, a friend gave me his Audigy to try, and the same thing happens: freezing, no monitor signal, et al.

So, this means it must be an issue of some sort with power, no? I can't remember whether it was in the same PCI slot (would the slot have anything to do with this?), but either way, it appears i'm in the market for a new power supply (I hope you all prove me wrong because that's more money I have to spend).

So, if it turns out that I do indeed need a new PSU, how many watts should I get then? 600 doesn't seem to do it, would 750? Or should I play it safe and waste 230 on a 1000 watt?

 

Another XP losing its signal.

For whatever it is worth, my XP computer is exhibiting the same problem, including losing the video. Sometimes it will go for a whole day, sometimes only a few minutes.

This started the day after I ran my computer with the case side cover off all day, as I was running a security program to clear off a hard drive that I'm selling. When I did this, I had a small desk fan running to blow on the hard drive, and some of the air had to have been going into the computer case give where the fan was pointing.

Is it possible that I wasn't getting enough air to the video board, and damaged it?

 

The solution to my problem was the replacement of the power supply. The 3.3 volt supply was down to 2.6 to 2.8, and a new power supply solved the problems I was having.

tq

 

Thanks for posting your fix Terry.

What power supply did you have and what did you replace it with?

Wil

 

Well, I've unplugged a whole lot of ****:

I took out both my PCI RAID Adapter Card and my Sound Card, which are the only recent PCI devices that i've installed.

I also unplugged the DVD ROM and Harddrive from my PSU. Both of these were connected via the RAID card.

And yet still this problem persists. So, my next step is to connect a Voltage meter to my PSU to see if there is a voltage drop.

Other then that, I have no idea.

 

I had a 420 watt Enlight originally. I sent my wife to the local computer supply store to get another, and they had a 450 watt Enlight, and they said they had good luck with them. Call me stupid, but that is what I put in again.

Also, you might check your BIOS setup software to see if it will give you a voltage readout. My Ambios setup will do this, under a menu item called "PC Health Status." Photo of screenprint is attached (I think).

Terry

 

Yeah my BIOS is Intel and about as basic as they come.

Having a 600-Watt SLI-certified Dual-rail Ultra Power Supply, you'd think it wouldn't have a problem...