|
|
 |
|
|
Pages: 1
Possible PSU Problem?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: Vardic
I recently bought a new hard drive, it's a 120gb WD Caviar. It ran, what I thought was fine for a week and a bit. Then I noticed my computer was running really slow. and the hard drive had just become corrupted. so I formatted and it just happened again. After the third time I took the drive back where the store owner showed me that the paint at the back of the drive had melted. He even then replaced the drive for me, because maybe it was faulty. This drive is getting really hot too. I dont have such good cooling in my case but I dont know if it will make much difference. Maybe my power supply can't handle a dvd drive, cdrw, a 40gb hard drive and the new 120? the Power Supply is 300w
Posted by: kermit_fr0gg
Well this has all the hallmarks of a cooling problem, but it may indirectly be caused by your PSU if it's a cheap one that's improperly cooled or running close to it's limit. 300W is a little small for a fully loaded PC. A few suggestions you might try :
- Try changing the location in which you mounted the new 120GB HDD. Try in the front-bottom of your case, where the cool air usually enters. (Try not to put anything in the location that caused the paint to melt)
- Try purchasing some 'rounded' IDE and FD cables for your Hard Drives and Floppy Drive. You'd be surprised how much more air can circulate in your case without those floppy flat cables in the way. Example (Link goes to Newegg.com)
- You could try purchasing a new power supply with a larger fan, or with a higher power rating (ex: 400W), or both. A 400W PSU won't be working as hard to provide power, and hopefully won't heat up as much. A PSU with a larger fan will help make more air flow through your case.
- Input fans are, in my opinion, the best way to increase airflow in a PC case. Input fans push cool air in from the front bottom corner of your case. This usually has the added benefit of blowing directly on your Hard Drives, which help to remove heat from them.
Posted by: Vardic
I think I will try a new case, psy and grab some extra fans for it and see how it goes. Thanks for you help. very much appreciated
Posted by: redwench
just move the drive to an exterior bay with open bays on both sides.
Posted by: Boggy B
 Quote:
|
Maybe my power supply can't handle a dvd drive, cdrw, a 40gb hard drive and the new 120? the Power Supply is 300w
|
I've got a 350W PSU running, a DVD burner, 2x 120gb HDDs, Radeon 9800 (Which i've been told is almost 100W on its own) not to mention some pointless, nifty lights and neons. So i think that part should be fine.
If you've got multiple HDDs, make sure there's space between them, even a couple of centimetres makes a huge difference.
Posted by: Vardic
Well I decided to play around with the drive so I plugged it in and rested it within one of the 5.25" bays, and just have a fan blowing right into the front of the computer...both hard drives are running at 36 degrees C. Only a temp fix...but seems to be working. Thanks for all your help everyone. I'm just going to splurge on a new case and have more room and better air flow and grab some fans.. 
|
|
|
|
|
