buggered cpu or graphics card??????

[Ernie51]

Help my pc died a few weeks ago and thinking it was my mobo I fitted a new one,after installing every thing except my 6600gt card I powered up so far so good loaded in my XP disc and tried to install on a new hard -drive not wanting to lose any data on original drive.
This is where things started to crap up XP would not install certain files tried a second copy of XP same as before but different files would not load tried 2 copies of XP Pro (all legit I must add) same thing.After a day or so trying I got XP to load I have reformatted both drives several times to achive this losing aformentioned data.Things worked fine I then fitted my 6600gt ok for a while then problems removed 6600gt seemed to work fine again for a few days then same problems as with my original mobo started to happen and now when XP has loaded nothing runs keep getting internet explorer has encounterd a problem ect ,tried restored same thing now nothing runs .I know its a bit long winded but any thoughts
think I may have killed another mobo or could it be the cpu???

[Pob255]

Post full details please.
Motherboard; make and model
CPU; type, speed and if overclocking.
Powersupply(PSU); Make, model, wattage
Hard disks; connection type, size and make
Graphics card used instead of the 6600GT

Cannot say more with out more details.

[Biscuit]

My advice would be to take EVERYTHING apart and out of the case then run a frankenstien setup on a big clean desk. Makes it easier to switch between parts when problems solving. Make sure all your parts are seated & connected correctly and redo any heatpaste. I would also check to make sure you havent accidently got any heatpaste on the bottom of the cpu... i foolishly made this mistake and took half a bottle of acetone to get the damn thing working.

[Ernie51]

Hi Pob
My setup is
ASROCK P4i65G (old mobo ASROCK P4S61)
INTEL PENTIUM 4 3.0ghz CPU (not o'clocked) this cpu shows up as 2 cpu's one virtual
MAGNA ATX 500W PSU
MAXOR 6GB H/DRIVE IDE (xp installed on this drive)---- MASTER
MAXOR DIAMONDMAX PLUS9 80GB ATA/133 H/DRIVE---SLAVE(this drive now is not found when pc powered up)
2x 512 mb PC2700 ram
Sony DVD Rewriter
Xpert Vision 128mb 6600gt agp graphics card (disconnected)
I hope this helps you to help me

[Ernie51]

Hi Biscuit I installed cpu then added thermal paste before placing heatsink so don't think that could be problem thanks for the input I may still remove cpu and check anyway

[Pob255]

MAGNA ATX 500W PSU

That's probably the problem, a big number but a cheap PSU the additional power required by the 6600GT is pushing it over the edge.
Becareful as it could damage your pc, should be ok on the onboard graphics as long as your not doing anything to strain the PC, you really need to replace it asap.
A good 350-400w PSU will be enough for your current system, but make sure it's a good one.
Look for the following Brands
FSP
Targan
Seasonic
Akasa
You'll probably have to pay around £35-40

Going by what you've said all was working fine with the 6600GT in then it stoped working, correct?
If it stoped working when you put the 6600GT in then it's ether PSU or BIOS settings.

One other quick question, do you have a surge protector or are you pulged directly into a wall socket or power extention/splitter with out surge protection?
I'm asking because a power spike not enough to damage most electrical gear could of done bad things, esp with that PSU.

EDIT: a Belkin 5 socket surge protector is cheap and can be of great help, esp with the electrics in older houses as they can be more prone to spikes and fluxuations.
Again a good PSU will be fairly resistant to such anyway but cheap psu's are not.

[Ernie51]

I have used the psu for about 18 months with my old mobo with the new mobo I am using 1 less dvd drive and no floppy and still had problems installing xp without my 6600gt connected so I dont think it's the psu.I did try another psu which made no difference hopefully it's the bios I'll try setting bios to default and do an xp reinstall as not to sure on bios settings.Will let you know the outcome.
Don't want to spend anymore as will be getting new setup around October time.

[b0redom]

MAXOR 6GB H/DRIVE IDE (xp installed on this drive)---- MASTER

Do you mean 6GB? If you do, this must be _really_ old - could be that the HDD is on the way out?

[Ernie51]

Yes just a temp h/drive my 80gb may have been the original problem as it is not found when installed on new system.
I have re-installed xp as an upgrade after setting bios to default seems to be running o.k
next job install graphics card and hope

[Pob255]

As to your other dirve not being detected, check the jumper

Also not detected by windows? or by BIOS?

[Ernie51]

I have checked the jumpers also tried installing as master and slave on the odd occation the drive showed up in bios but not in windows and then after a restart bios didn't detect it.
The good news my graphics card is now working 6gb hard drive is chugging along slowish so will invest in a 40gb sata for now.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS

[Biscuit]

I have checked the jumpers also tried installing as master and slave on the odd occation the drive showed up in bios but not in windows and then after a restart bios didn't detect it.
The good news my graphics card is now working 6gb hard drive is chugging along slowish so will invest in a 40gb sata for now.
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP GUYS

You can pick up 250GB drives for less than £40 now... seems pointless getting any less

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=247245

[Ernie51]

It's only to tied me over a few months then I will buy my new system around £1500 worth so every penny saved

[Pob255]

Sounds like the drive is dead.

If there is any important data on it that you need, there is a trick you can try.
Stick the hard drive in the freezer overnight
Sounds crazy but it does work sometimes.

If you try this and it does work, then grab the data asap as 20min later the drive will probably die again.

[Ernie51]

sounds like a good trick but have already formatted the drive and just bought a new 80gb sata drive from novatech for £27 just 5mins away I will be back if I get any problems .
Once again thanks for all your input

[Biscuit]

It's only to tied me over a few months then I will buy my new system around £1500 worth so every penny saved

You could transfer any new hard drives over into the new system though