BF2S Forums XP install crashed/subsequent format issues/bad hardware?

I really don't...maybe a shitty 450W one, but I won't have time to try anything with that until Sunday. This powersupply is less than a year old though. I realize that doesn't rule it out, but I am really leaning towards memory/mobo at the moment.

Actually just as I wrote this it booted up fine with the friend's memory that I am pretty sure is good. Alternating sticks didn't help though...4 sticks of RAM suddenly gone bad? lolwut?

Stressing the new RAM a bit now. Actually probably just let a memtest run until I wake up.

zwei at the moment, identical RAM to what I have

Yeah I know they can be picky sometimes, but it has been running four sticks for coming up on two years now I believe.

- Remove all unnecessary parts and try getting it running with as little as possible.
- Don't forget to reset the CMOS
- Run an alternative OS for testing, an Ubuntu Linux LiveCD is good for that.
- If it still doesn't work, try replacing parts with ones that you know work.

Last edited by wiru-will (2009-08-14 23:45:27)

did you run check disk yet? (chdsk)

I ran WD diagnostic on my HD and it checked out. Now I have unplugged all my drives (CD and hard) and the bios still loads extremely slowly. Memory, motherboard, power supply are the current favorites, I think motherboard.

edit: oh yeah raptor passed SMART checks as well

do not have money for a new rig. I am looking to replace the faulty part, and I would rather not gamble if there is any way to narrow it down between the PSU and motherboard plz.

nukchebi0 wrote:

Use the PSU in another system that you know is working properly, and see if it start experiencing any instability or slowness.

See this is generally a bad idea because if the PSU is bad, it could fuck up the other, working computer.

Oh, lel, that is a good point. I was just thinking that if the PSU was slowly fading away, as yours seems to be (were that the case), it wouldn't be prone to sudden failure capable of harming any working components in the working tower. Moreover, you are currently chancing it with what could be a possible functional system (and some components which are verifiably in proper condition), so any consideration of hardware damage seemed irrelevant.

With that said, try measuring the voltages on the 3, 5 and 12 volt rails, and comparing them to their specs. If they are excessively low (3-5% below specification), it is a good indication the PSU is no longer working properly. Since your dad is an electrical engineer, I'm going to presume you have the tools and technical knowledge to do this (I also, admittedly, don't - I merely know it is a good diagnostic for the power supply). Also, try looking closely at the PSU or smelling it while it is running; if you can see anything anomalous, or detect the lovely smell of melting plastic/silicon, you can reasonably conclude the PSU is faulty and should be replaced.