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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: johnw on May 25, 2004, 07:14:25 PM

Title: Computer Advice
Post by: johnw on May 25, 2004, 07:14:25 PM
Our desktop keeps locking up or randomly restarting (as if the reset button was pushed) and it's not the Sasser worm. I rebuilt the thing out of old Dell parts and a PowerLeap Socket A processor kit. My guess is the power supply is worn out, but I don't really know. A couple of times it hasn't recognized the HD or CDRW in the bios and won't boot into XP. Any ideas of how to check or what else to look for?

I'm also thinking it may be time to say forget it and just buy a newer one. I don't have any problems building from parts (might actually be ideal since I own XP, just bought a new hard drive, cdrw, PCI video card and PCI firewire card). But it's been a while and I don't know who good vendors are anymore. Experience has also shown me that sometimes it's better off just buying a prebuilt like a Dell or a Sony. I'd like to keep it at $300 for the tower, but could go $600 if I could get a decent flat panel monitor out of it. BTW I'm not looking to make an audio workstation. Any advice would be appreciated. If this is way off topic, PM me and I'll delete the thread.
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: jpschust on May 25, 2004, 07:20:42 PM
my advice- if you need parts or even cheap prebuilts go to www.compgeeks.com
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: John Kelly on May 26, 2004, 12:55:19 AM
Get parts from Newegg.com.  Best.  Site.  Ever. ;D

And unless you absolutely require a 3 year warranty (i.e. you don't know a thing about computers), it's always better to build it yourself.
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: Sean Gallemore on May 26, 2004, 05:35:33 AM
I had this same problem a few weeks ago.

Start the computer, immediately hold down F8
Go into Safe mode.
After windows loads, Restore back to a point you know when the computer was working fine.
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: johnw on May 26, 2004, 12:32:20 PM
I got an error report from XP that says my CPU is causing failures. It's a 1.4 Celeron on a slocket to fit in a Socket A that only supports up to a P3 800. Not surprising I guess. I could get a new Dell 2.6 GHz off Ebay for $350 shipped or a board, CPU, memory and case for a little less off NewEgg. Thanks for all the help. +Ts
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: ScottT on May 26, 2004, 02:04:15 PM
When I first read your problem I was thinking the case was getting too hot and causing random reboots.  Dunno if a couple fans would enable your processor to work better or if there really is an incompatibility issue....  Good luck!

I agree with the newegg.com recommendation.  Pricewatch.com has cheap deals, but there are many *shady* vendors there.  If you're thinking of buying anything online, read the company's review at http://www.resellerratings.com  New Egg has over 6700 reviews which average 9.78 out of 10!!!
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: Sanjay on May 26, 2004, 02:52:51 PM
When I first read your problem I was thinking the case was getting too hot and causing random reboots.  Dunno if a couple fans would enable your processor to work better or if there really is an incompatibility issue....  Good luck!


This is most likely your problem, make sure it has a heatsink and fan installed with thermal grease between the processer and heat sink.  Thats a cheap solution if those are not there or the fan is busted, it will restart and things will go haywire.  However if this isnt the case then your motherboard might be fried, as it appears this problem is rooted in the bios
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: Sean Gallemore on May 26, 2004, 06:50:08 PM
I got an error report from XP that says my CPU is causing failures. It's a 1.4 Celeron on a slocket to fit in a Socket A that only supports up to a P3 800. Not surprising I guess. I could get a new Dell 2.6 GHz off Ebay for $350 shipped or a board, CPU, memory and case for a little less off NewEgg. Thanks for all the help. +Ts

I was getting the same error messages, try doing what I said.  Restore back to a point you know your computer worked fine.
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: johnw on May 27, 2004, 01:01:03 PM
The processor actually came as a kit with the slocket, heat sink and fan from Powerleap. The fan on it and the computer both appear to be working. I tried the F8 safe mode restore and will see how it runs over the next few weeks. I looked into Newegg and realized that is where I bought my first Plextor drive. If the computer starts crashing again, I think I'll get an ASUS board, CPU, memory, and case from them. They have free shipping on everything but the case.
Title: Re:Computer Advice
Post by: thoman8r on May 28, 2004, 02:04:19 PM
The processor actually came as a kit with the slocket, heat sink and fan from Powerleap. The fan on it and the computer both appear to be working. I tried the F8 safe mode restore and will see how it runs over the next few weeks. I looked into Newegg and realized that is where I bought my first Plextor drive. If the computer starts crashing again, I think I'll get an ASUS board, CPU, memory, and case from them. They have free shipping on everything but the case.

Do you have a working case fan as well?