Extensive system problems - really need advice

Hi folks. Merry christmas!

This may be a long post, please bear with me; I have the following problems:

1. Hard lock after cold boot -> I usually restart after the POST beep and the system works (this is a known CFX3200-DR issue)

2. Recent instability at overclocked speeds. I was previously Prime stable for 6 hours at 2.7ghz.

3. Prime unstable at STOCK speeds, fails instantly. However, Memtest stable after 7 hours testing.

4. I have lost three (yes, 3) hard disks on my onboard IDE controller. All three have gone snap crackle and pop.

5. DVD drive went the same way, making me certain that it wasn't static. (the HDDs had been in anti static bags for some time).


So:

Are my recent problems caused by my £90 Silverstone PSU? The hard lock issue is simply the mobo, but the rest is caused by power supply problems? How can I test without risking more hardware? (I have taken a multimeter to the PSU, the voltages seemed rock solid 12.10v, 5.03v etc)

this is pi**ing me off. No system over Christmas :mad:


thanks

here is my spec (my system info has disappeared from my Hexus profile)

DFI LanpartyUT CFX3200-DR (BIOS: 07/28/2006)(ULi: 07/20/2006)
AMD Opteron 165 with SI-120+Panaflo @ 2.5ghz (1.328V, HTT: 279mhz, FSB: 251mhz)
2x Crucial Ballistix Tracer 512MB PC4000 (2.8V)
HIS Excalibur X1800GTO 520mhz BIOS
Maxtor MaXLine III: 7V250F0 (ULi SATA1)
Maxtor MaXLine III: 7V250F0 (ULi SATA2) (no RAID)
Maxtor DiamondMax 10: L250S0 (Sil SATA 5)
HP 840i (probably killed by PSU below)
Silverstone ST60F (possible problems)

PSU would be my guess at the culprit.

Multimeter really doesn't show the full picture, you need an oscilloscope. Have seen PSUs where the *average* voltage was spot on, but on a 'scope it looked a mess of spikes & lots of ripple. Then there is the question of what it outputs whilst starting up and stopping.

Sounds like a bummer, hope you find it soon.

It looks like the PSU yeah :(

At any other time of the year it would just be an excuse to give more of NatWest's overdraft money to hardware websites, but obviouslly it's fo*king Christmas so everywhere is closed.

ARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH

I agree about the PSU, but also, dont rule out the motherboard. I have had a few DFI boards this year (although not crossfire ones) that have had power issues, quality control issues and just general issues. PSU would be my first target though.

ye, just like clunk said, it could be the mobo. u said the HDD's were on ur onboard ide controller, u make it sound like you, oir the mobo has another, and if they've all been fine, i would suspect the mobo. i had a mobo thats ide controller killd HDD's, so could be that.

if it is the PSU, u can probabily claim money off silverstone, as they killed your components.

100% PSU.
RMA immediately.

Some of the problems could be mobo related but the fact that it boots, albeit occassionally, is enough to swing it.

Thanks for all the help.

I have devised a final test before i curl up and cry.

I'm going to install my PCI IDE controller card. I will use a different ribbon cable, as the DFI cables are crap. I am going to try it on a wire which is currently powering a fan and the motherboard additional power connector (floppy style).

It's a 2gb Quantum that is currently in the machine I'm typing on now. I feel a bit nostalgic about it so I hope it will be ok lol :)

I'll let you all know what happens.

Well, my faith in Silverstone is restored (I originally discounted PSU problems because I thought it was unlikely), and my suspicions about DFI have been confirmed.

I did the test i mentioned above. After realising that I didn't want to risk another CD drive, i transferred the driver to my USB key using a different system. Then I installed the ancient Quantum Sirroco, which is only twice the size of the USB drive lol.

I have checked various wires on the PSU and the little drive keeps whirring away. It can only be the onboard controller. I am amazed that an IDE controller can actually damage a HDD, but apparently it can.

DFI won't be getting much Christmas cheer from me, not after the £165 I paid for this mobo, as well as three hard drives and a Lightscibe DVD drive.

So here is a bit of advice: never buy a DFI board when it comes out. Go to DFI Street and check if it has problems in the first few months. The damn thing even hardlocked when I was installing the IDE card drivers.

IF the motherboard is at fault by law you can get a full refund for it.
In addition to that you'll probably to be able to get them to pay for one of the HDD's and the DVD drive. I doubt you'll be able to pursue them for all 3.

For the refund/compensation for it, you must pursue the supplier, NOT DFI. I.E. the people you paid for the board. It is up to them to get the money off DFI.