Pulling My Hair Out!

I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

2) The machine will start boot, but after the quick mem check, rather than
detecting the drives, it reboots and generally (until recently) would detect
the drives on the 2nd go round, finish POST and start windows.

#1 was the first to appear (although the system would often not perform
drive detection on the first go round, but always did on the 2nd). A few
times I waited for it to load windows and (after 5 to 10 mins.) it did load,
but one of the SATA drives was missing (even though detected in POST).

After that, whenever I had issue #1 (I can always tell when the issue is
going to occur because when windows is loading normally, the progress bar
runs "start to finish" 5 times and "stalls" on the 2nd and 5th time before
it loads windows. No progress bar "stall", no load windows), I shut the
system down, pulled & replaced the SATA cables at motherboard and drive and
started the machine back up. This appeared to work (for awhile...)

Now, when I start the machine, it will often go into a continuous loop,
always rebooting before drive detection. Usually, unplugging the system for
30 seconds and plugging it back in causes the system to detect drives and
boot. This seems to happen regardless of whether the machine has been off
all night or just on restart after running any amount of time. So, I
intermittenly have both issues. Below are the upgrades I referred to earlier
(in the order in which I
upgraded):

AMD 64 3500+ AMD 64 4400+ X2 (on MSI NEO2 platinum (MS 7025)

4 ATA HDs 3 Seagate SATA drives (two 250GB, one 160 GB)

ATI AIW 9000 Pro ATI AIW X800XT

I also installed the latest BIOS (1.B) and chipset
(nForce_5.11_winxp2k_international_whql.exe) drivers for this board along
with AMD's cpu cool n quiet driver.

Although I would have thought that 430 watts was enough for this system, I'm
wondering if it is indeed the PS. Below are total devices in machine:

1) 4400+ X2
2) 3 SATA HDs
3) 2 optical drives
4) AIW X800XT
5) Diamond Monster MMX2 sound card
6) NIC
7) 5 case fans
8) 1 GB Corsair value RAM (2x512)
9) MSI NEO2 Plat

Thanks for any ideas!

mxh

"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

Big snip for short answer g.
Why don`t you unload the power supply a bit ie:
Disconnect all but the OS drive to see if it will boot OK then ?.
Oh, and have a look in your Event viewer, just in case.

--

Your PSU is underpowered for that number of internal computer components. I
would recommend the Antec True Power 550 Watt. Most people do not have four
harddrives and two optical drives altogether.

--
DaveW

----------------
"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

2) The machine will start boot, but after the quick mem check, rather than
detecting the drives, it reboots and generally (until recently) would
detect
the drives on the 2nd go round, finish POST and start windows.

#1 was the first to appear (although the system would often not perform
drive detection on the first go round, but always did on the 2nd). A few
times I waited for it to load windows and (after 5 to 10 mins.) it did
load,
but one of the SATA drives was missing (even though detected in POST).

After that, whenever I had issue #1 (I can always tell when the issue is
going to occur because when windows is loading normally, the progress bar
runs "start to finish" 5 times and "stalls" on the 2nd and 5th time before
it loads windows. No progress bar "stall", no load windows), I shut the
system down, pulled & replaced the SATA cables at motherboard and drive
and
started the machine back up. This appeared to work (for awhile...)

Now, when I start the machine, it will often go into a continuous loop,
always rebooting before drive detection. Usually, unplugging the system
for
30 seconds and plugging it back in causes the system to detect drives and
boot. This seems to happen regardless of whether the machine has been off
all night or just on restart after running any amount of time. So, I
intermittenly have both issues. Below are the upgrades I referred to
earlier (in the order in which I
upgraded):

AMD 64 3500+ AMD 64 4400+ X2 (on MSI NEO2 platinum (MS 7025)

4 ATA HDs 3 Seagate SATA drives (two 250GB, one 160 GB)

ATI AIW 9000 Pro ATI AIW X800XT

I also installed the latest BIOS (1.B) and chipset
(nForce_5.11_winxp2k_international_whql.exe) drivers for this board along
with AMD's cpu cool n quiet driver.

Although I would have thought that 430 watts was enough for this system,
I'm wondering if it is indeed the PS. Below are total devices in machine:

1) 4400+ X2
2) 3 SATA HDs
3) 2 optical drives
4) AIW X800XT
5) Diamond Monster MMX2 sound card
6) NIC
7) 5 case fans
8) 1 GB Corsair value RAM (2x512)
9) MSI NEO2 Plat

Thanks for any ideas!

mxh

"someone" wrote in message
...

"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck
at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

Big snip for short answer g.
Why don`t you unload the power supply a bit ie:
Disconnect all but the OS drive to see if it will boot OK then ?.
Oh, and have a look in your Event viewer, just in case.




Actually, I tried lightening the load before posting (except I left the
sound card, video card and NIC in place). Event viewer shows nothing
related...

Thanks,
mxh

"DaveW" wrote in message
. ..
Your PSU is underpowered for that number of internal computer components.
I would recommend the Antec True Power 550 Watt. Most people do not have
four harddrives and two optical drives altogether.

Actually, I had 4 IDE and 2 optical drives in the system prior to this with
no issues. I also had the x800xt in the machine at one time with no issues.
I'm not opposed to installing a higher watt PS, but I'm not sure that the
load is the issue here Of course, I could be wrong...). One theory I have is
that the PS is going bad and is intermittenly experiencing voltage drops. It
could also possibly be RAM or motherboard. I DL'ed memtest and plan to let
it run tonight. I hope it's not the motherboard, as I just dropped $300 on
the AIW x800xt.

I probably will go ahead and order another PS. I've seen a few Atec 550 watt
PSes at newegg. Anyone had any experience with the Antec NeoHE 500?


Thanks,
mxh



--
DaveW

----------------
"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck
at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

2) The machine will start boot, but after the quick mem check, rather
than
detecting the drives, it reboots and generally (until recently) would
detect
the drives on the 2nd go round, finish POST and start windows.

#1 was the first to appear (although the system would often not perform
drive detection on the first go round, but always did on the 2nd). A few
times I waited for it to load windows and (after 5 to 10 mins.) it did
load,
but one of the SATA drives was missing (even though detected in POST).

After that, whenever I had issue #1 (I can always tell when the issue is
going to occur because when windows is loading normally, the progress bar
runs "start to finish" 5 times and "stalls" on the 2nd and 5th time
before
it loads windows. No progress bar "stall", no load windows), I shut the
system down, pulled & replaced the SATA cables at motherboard and drive
and
started the machine back up. This appeared to work (for awhile...)

Now, when I start the machine, it will often go into a continuous loop,
always rebooting before drive detection. Usually, unplugging the system
for
30 seconds and plugging it back in causes the system to detect drives and
boot. This seems to happen regardless of whether the machine has been off
all night or just on restart after running any amount of time. So, I
intermittenly have both issues. Below are the upgrades I referred to
earlier (in the order in which I
upgraded):

AMD 64 3500+ AMD 64 4400+ X2 (on MSI NEO2 platinum (MS 7025)

4 ATA HDs 3 Seagate SATA drives (two 250GB, one 160 GB)

ATI AIW 9000 Pro ATI AIW X800XT

I also installed the latest BIOS (1.B) and chipset
(nForce_5.11_winxp2k_international_whql.exe) drivers for this board along
with AMD's cpu cool n quiet driver.

Although I would have thought that 430 watts was enough for this system,
I'm wondering if it is indeed the PS. Below are total devices in machine:

1) 4400+ X2
2) 3 SATA HDs
3) 2 optical drives
4) AIW X800XT
5) Diamond Monster MMX2 sound card
6) NIC
7) 5 case fans
8) 1 GB Corsair value RAM (2x512)
9) MSI NEO2 Plat

Thanks for any ideas!

mxh

"mxh" wrote in message
news:XcISf.93458$bF.74013@dukeread07...

"DaveW" wrote in message
. ..
Your PSU is underpowered for that number of internal computer components.
I would recommend the Antec True Power 550 Watt. Most people do not have
four harddrives and two optical drives altogether.

Actually, I had 4 IDE and 2 optical drives in the system prior to this
with no issues. I also had the x800xt in the machine at one time with no
issues. I'm not opposed to installing a higher watt PS, but I'm not sure
that the load is the issue here Of course, I could be wrong...). One
theory I have is that the PS is going bad and is intermittenly
experiencing voltage drops. It could also possibly be RAM or motherboard.
I DL'ed memtest and plan to let it run tonight. I hope it's not the
motherboard, as I just dropped $300 on the AIW x800xt.

I probably will go ahead and order another PS. I've seen a few Atec 550
watt PSes at newegg. Anyone had any experience with the Antec NeoHE 500?


Thanks,
mxh



--
DaveW

----------------
"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck
at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

2) The machine will start boot, but after the quick mem check, rather
than
detecting the drives, it reboots and generally (until recently) would
detect
the drives on the 2nd go round, finish POST and start windows.

#1 was the first to appear (although the system would often not perform
drive detection on the first go round, but always did on the 2nd). A few
times I waited for it to load windows and (after 5 to 10 mins.) it did
load,
but one of the SATA drives was missing (even though detected in POST).

After that, whenever I had issue #1 (I can always tell when the issue is
going to occur because when windows is loading normally, the progress
bar
runs "start to finish" 5 times and "stalls" on the 2nd and 5th time
before
it loads windows. No progress bar "stall", no load windows), I shut the
system down, pulled & replaced the SATA cables at motherboard and drive
and
started the machine back up. This appeared to work (for awhile...)

Now, when I start the machine, it will often go into a continuous loop,
always rebooting before drive detection. Usually, unplugging the system
for
30 seconds and plugging it back in causes the system to detect drives
and
boot. This seems to happen regardless of whether the machine has been
off all night or just on restart after running any amount of time. So, I
intermittenly have both issues. Below are the upgrades I referred to
earlier (in the order in which I
upgraded):

AMD 64 3500+ AMD 64 4400+ X2 (on MSI NEO2 platinum (MS 7025)

4 ATA HDs 3 Seagate SATA drives (two 250GB, one 160 GB)

ATI AIW 9000 Pro ATI AIW X800XT

I also installed the latest BIOS (1.B) and chipset
(nForce_5.11_winxp2k_international_whql.exe) drivers for this board
along
with AMD's cpu cool n quiet driver.

Although I would have thought that 430 watts was enough for this system,
I'm wondering if it is indeed the PS. Below are total devices in
machine:

1) 4400+ X2
2) 3 SATA HDs
3) 2 optical drives
4) AIW X800XT
5) Diamond Monster MMX2 sound card
6) NIC
7) 5 case fans
8) 1 GB Corsair value RAM (2x512)
9) MSI NEO2 Plat

Thanks for any ideas!

mxh

"mxh" wrote in message
news:XcISf.93458$bF.74013@dukeread07...

"DaveW" wrote in message
. ..
Your PSU is underpowered for that number of internal computer components.
I would recommend the Antec True Power 550 Watt. Most people do not have
four harddrives and two optical drives altogether.

Actually, I had 4 IDE and 2 optical drives in the system prior to this
with no issues. I also had the x800xt in the machine at one time with no
issues. I'm not opposed to installing a higher watt PS, but I'm not sure
that the load is the issue here Of course, I could be wrong...). One
theory I have is that the PS is going bad and is intermittenly
experiencing voltage drops. It could also possibly be RAM or motherboard.
I DL'ed memtest and plan to let it run tonight. I hope it's not the
motherboard, as I just dropped $300 on the AIW x800xt.

I probably will go ahead and order another PS. I've seen a few Atec 550
watt PSes at newegg. Anyone had any experience with the Antec NeoHE 500?


Thanks,
mxh



--
DaveW

----------------
"mxh" wrote in message
news:tDfSf.91962$bF.47782@dukeread07...
I have a machine in which I recently upgraded several components and
assummed that my Antec True 430w would handle the job. However, since
upgrading, I've experienced some strange issues that seem to manifest in
two
ways:

1) Often, after POST, XP will appear to be starting, but will get stuck
at
the progress bar that appears just prior to the log on screen (or if
coming
out of hibernation, before loading the desktop).

2) The machine will start boot, but after the quick mem check, rather
than
detecting the drives, it reboots and generally (until recently) would
detect
the drives on the 2nd go round, finish POST and start windows.

#1 was the first to appear (although the system would often not perform
drive detection on the first go round, but always did on the 2nd). A few
times I waited for it to load windows and (after 5 to 10 mins.) it did
load,
but one of the SATA drives was missing (even though detected in POST).

After that, whenever I had issue #1 (I can always tell when the issue is
going to occur because when windows is loading normally, the progress
bar
runs "start to finish" 5 times and "stalls" on the 2nd and 5th time
before
it loads windows. No progress bar "stall", no load windows), I shut the
system down, pulled & replaced the SATA cables at motherboard and drive
and
started the machine back up. This appeared to work (for awhile...)

Now, when I start the machine, it will often go into a continuous loop,
always rebooting before drive detection. Usually, unplugging the system
for
30 seconds and plugging it back in causes the system to detect drives
and
boot. This seems to happen regardless of whether the machine has been
off all night or just on restart after running any amount of time. So, I
intermittenly have both issues. Below are the upgrades I referred to
earlier (in the order in which I
upgraded):

AMD 64 3500+ AMD 64 4400+ X2 (on MSI NEO2 platinum (MS 7025)

4 ATA HDs 3 Seagate SATA drives (two 250GB, one 160 GB)

ATI AIW 9000 Pro ATI AIW X800XT

I also installed the latest BIOS (1.B) and chipset
(nForce_5.11_winxp2k_international_whql.exe) drivers for this board
along
with AMD's cpu cool n quiet driver.

Although I would have thought that 430 watts was enough for this system,
I'm wondering if it is indeed the PS. Below are total devices in
machine:

1) 4400+ X2
2) 3 SATA HDs
3) 2 optical drives
4) AIW X800XT
5) Diamond Monster MMX2 sound card
6) NIC
7) 5 case fans
8) 1 GB Corsair value RAM (2x512)
9) MSI NEO2 Plat

Thanks for any ideas!

mxh