Resolved Sick computer

Hello,
My computer is a homebuild, using what are to all intents and purposes obsolete components. I have done this since my first computer, a XT, 20 years ago.
Now my spare computer has become very sick, and I don't know why.
The computer is based on an Asus P4PE motherboard, Intel P4 2.8 ghz CPU, and was running Vista. Two days ago I decided to change to XP. the process seemed to be working OK until suddenly the computer just died.
I have taken the side cover off and tried to switch it on while observing the internals. On the motherboard the green LED indicating the correct voltage grapics card is lit. When the power button on the front panel is pressed, all the fans work, the indicator lights on the hdd and dvd drives light up, and then, after no more than two seconds the whole lot dies, except for thr green light on the motherboard.
Where do I begin to look for the cause? Any helpful suggestions gratefully received.
Mike Weller

 

Since you are experienced in hardware, you could try out the following:

1. Unplug every non essential device - hard disk,dvd,printers etc.
2. Remove CPU cooler, clean it with compressed air, remove the old heatsink compound from both the heatsink & CPU and apply new compound. Put the heatsink back.
3. Remove all the RAMs, clean the contacts with rubber eraser & put them back.
4. Now switch on the computer.

 

rsinfo,
Thank you for your response, when Iv'e done that, will post the outcome.
Mike

 

This might be a complete stab in the dark, but the symptoms are similar.
In my case it was a 6 month old OCZ 500W PSU that was the cause.
When I would press the front power button all would start up for half to one second and then shut down, pulling out the power cord several times at the back of the PC would eventually start it again, this however was not on every start up, sometimes it would start first time for a week or more than again almost every day. I contacted OCZ and they accepted that the PSU had a problem, unfortunately I cant remember the exact wording nor can a retrieve the email from OCZ, but it had something to do with what they called grey time delay or offset or something like that, something to do with the CPU and the time the PSU takes to deliver some amount of power, they can measure and adjust that timing. However I was about to upgrade that PC and when I changed the CPU the problem went away, never happened again now in approx. 3 month.
hawk22

 

Thanks hawk22,
My first thoughts were that the PSU was to blame, and I will check that out first.
Will post results.
Mike

 

Thanks chaps,
All sorted out now, it was the power supply.
Thanks again,
Mike