MAJOR Prolems Reinstalling My Upgraded System

[Dazbo666]

I'm having some major problems reinstalling windows on to my new upgraded system.
I've tried a full install using my original Win98Se, as well as my new Win XP Home disk in an attempt to resolve the problem.

The system appears to accept the installation, but after a short while (maybe 10 or 15 minutes), the system switches off, or resets and reboots.

When the reboot happens, the system then goes into a continuous loop of asking if I want to boot into safe mode, or start windows normally etc, but whatever option I choose, results in another reset/reboot.

I've lost count of the number of times I've reinstalled the software and/or changed the hardware, but I always end up with the same result.


Just for info:
Windows: Tried Win 98SE and WinXP Home
Mobo: Tried MSI KT4VL, and a new Asus A7n8X-E
HDDs: Tried Maxtor 80Gb and new Maxtor 40Gb....


Any ideas or suggestions gratefully accepted ?!

[nichomach]

Specs for the rest of the system? Sounds almost like a dodgy PSU to me.

[Dazbo666]

System specs in my sig...
--- XP2800 --- Thermaltake Volcano 9 with 120mm fan (to reduce noise) --- Asus A7N8X_E mobo --- 2 x 512Mb DDR PC2700 --- 256mb Sapphire Radeon 9600 XT --- 8x DVD Burner --- Liteon DVD ROM --- 80Gb Maxtor 7200rpm HDD --- 40Gb Maxtor 7200rpm HDD --- Sunbeam 4 way Rheobus with red/blue LEDs --- Qtec 550w PSU (with home sprayed black chassis and 2x80mm Coolermaster fans) ---

[nichomach]

Qtec 550w PSU

OK, firstly, do you have another PSU that you can try? I think the majority opinion around here is that Q-Tec PSUs are a good way to have an interesting and occasionally extremely exciting time with your PC...

You say recently upgraded - you're using the motherboard standoffs, right? Is there any way that your motherboard could be being shorted out by contact with the case?

[Dazbo666]

I'm sure I have a spare PSU that I can try - although I'm not sure about the quality of this alternative either...
The Qtec seemed to be fine before the upgrade, but I'm willing to try just about anything to get the system running again (otherwise it's a couple of hundred £££'s worth of upgrades wasted).

And your other point, yes I'm using the standoffs, they're fitted correctly, and in an attempt to reduce the chance of shorts, I've tried them with and without the paper/cloth washers that were supplied with a previous board.

The main reason why I didn't think it was the PSU is that once the system has crashed, and attempts to reboot, I can never get back into Windows unless I go back thru the hassle of reinstalling...again...

I guess it's just down to a matter of replacing the PSU and trying again with the minimum number of peripherals attached?!

[nichomach]

Well that's certainly my first thought; unless it's temp related (which might cause a failure after a certain amount of running time) - what are your temps like?

[Dazbo666]

CPU about 45dec - which is about 5-8 degrees lower than my original system.
The system temp reporting mid to high 20's over the weekend

[nichomach]

Temps should be fine then. I'd seriously look at the power; maybe not at replacing the PSU, but reducing the overall load on it. Q-Tec are good at rating their PSUs at their PEAK power output, not their sustainable output.

[Dazbo666]

Yes, I"ll have to try an alternative PSU for now.
I've also already taken out one of my two HDDs, and planning on disconnecting my DVD burner for now, so I'll be left with just DVDROM, FDD, and one HDD.

Will keep ya posted about what the outcome is

[Dazbo666]

Well I tried running a stripped down system last night, but still no joy
...and I also realised that the alternative PSU I was planning on fitting has been used in a friends system build that I did a little while back, so I guess some retail therapy is in order to buy a new one.
I also read a review of my new mobo, which mentions that the Asus nForce boards tend to be very selective about which memory strips you can run with them, so I may take the opportunity to upgrade that too.