Ram / Motherboard / Power supply which one (was forum=28)Follow

Ram / Motherboard / Power supply which one is giving me my issues.

My computer is :

Key Components
• Intel Pentium D (Dual-Core) 3.2GHz Processor
775 pin -- Retail Box Includes Heat Sink & Fan (Dual-Core)
• Intel® D945GNTLR Motherboard
Integrated Audio, gigabit LAN, SATA Raid
• 2x1GB PC-4200 DDR2 184 Pin DDR2 SDRAM @ 533Mhz
• 16X Dual Layer DVD +/- RW DVD Creation Software Included
• EVGA 7600GT Nvidia Graphics Chipset 256MB GDDR3 PCI-Express
• 250 GB SATA Hard Drive 7200 rpm, 8 MB Cache
• XION2 Gaming Case Includes 420 Watt Power Supply
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition

and this computer worked fine until about two weeks ago then I started having problems starting the computer up (cold state)

When I hit the power button, the computer beeps and starts up normaly (Bios fly across the monitor and the such) then the computer dies. Now this will happen and some times get as far at Windows Start up before it dies or some times it will just get to the Bios before it dies out.

--There is no strange smell or smoke but the computer just dies.
--I have taken out all my extra cards, cleaned them and re-seated them. I then tried to start up the computer and I get the same issue.
--I have ensured that all my power cords are pluged in tightly and that there were not bare wires grounding the system out, but the same thing is going on.
--I have removed the memory cleaned it, and reseated it back in the original slots (but I still have the same problems) I have tried changing the memory into the other two slots (and I still have the same problem)


------Now here comes the strange thing. If I remove One memory stick (does not matter which one) the computer starts up fine with no hang ups at all, but once I put in the second memory stick (either memory stick and in any of the other 3 memory slots) I get the hang up issue.
------Strange thing #2 now sometimes (1 time every 30 power ons) the computer will start up and run fine with both memory sticks in the computer.


I'm thinking it is either a power supply problem or a mother board problem. I can buy a new one of both of them but I was hoping somone may of had a similar problem on their computer and they could tell me what fixed their problem. I also know if I get frogy and just buy either componet it will end up being the wrong one (damn Murphy's Law).

Does anyone have any good links for a stress test on the mother board memory slots or a way to check out the Power Supply?

Thanks for your time and for posting any replys or ideas.

No it's not overheating the Temps are fine I checked them out last night after I got it running, it was on for roughly 6 hours, surfing the web, playing WoW, Oblivion, and doing some Visual Basic homework with no issues. This only happens when I have had to power the computer completly off (say for a storm overnight) and when I try to power it back up, then I run into the issues. Once I get the computer running it will run for days and weeks with no issues.

It's just frustrating.

Check the website of the motherboard's manufacturer and see if they have a BIOS flash that addresses this issue.
Also, in the manual for some motherboards they will list all "approved" configurations and chip manufacturers and p/n of RAM, might take a look at that as well. Typically they will actually refer to the manufacturer of the chips on the RAM modules, not the manufacturer of the module itself.

Edited, Oct 11th 2006 at 8:29pm PDT by Usagichan

I checked for a Bios up-date and there were none that I could fine. So I'm going to start out with thinking it's the power supply (since by boy broke off the front door to the case) so I will see if that fixes the issue or not. I can't do that until monday so I will let you know then.

Thank you for the ideas.