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I think I need more juice...
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Posted by: Chako
Ok, I was using a Radeon 64DDR VIVO, but today replaced it with a Pine Geforce 3 64DDR. I also replaced my 17" monitor with a 19" monitor.
Now here is the problem. After replacing both items listed above, and after reattaching all my stuff, I got one long beep and that was it. I figured that the long beep usually denotes something wrong like a defective expansion board, or an improperly inserted expansion board, or with the power or logic system. So I took out all my cards, re-seated them, and tried again...still a long beep at post.
I then left all my cards in, but only hooked up my keyboard, the monitor cable to the video card, and the power cord to the computer, booted up...and presto...got success. I turned off the machine, then reattached another cord, rebooted etc until I got the long beep again. I found that it will not boot when one of my USB chains is attached. This USB connector feeds my USB 4 port hub which only has my card reader, and the Canon N670U flatbed scanner. Now, the scanner does not have a separate power cord, but my hub does. However, when I attach this to my computer, I get the long beep at post. I then experimented by using other USB ports (my computer has 4) with the same success...the long beep.
The only thing I can figure out is that my power supply is not pumping out enough juice. What do you think?
Here is my system specs:
AMD Thunderbird 1.2 with AMD heatsink/fan
19" Daytek monitor
Geforce 3 64DDR
Audigy SoundBlaster
D-link 10/100 NIC Card
Asus A7V133 motherboard
512Megs of PC133 in 2 sticks
4-7.5 cm Case fans
Deskjet 932C (USB)
Epson Photo 675DC (USB)
Brother HL-1020 Laser (parallel)
MS Natural Keyboard Pro (PS2) with 2 port USB hub
Logitech Mouseman Dual Optical
Artec 16X DVD
8x4x24 CDRW
Initio SCSI card
4x Toshiba SCSI external CD ROM
ZIP 100 SCSI external
625VA Belkin Regulator Pro UPS
Creative Inspire 5300 5.1 Speakers
Linksys router
Palm serial cradle
Sandisk card reader (USB)
Fujitsu 40 gig 5400RPM, Fujitsu 40 gig 7200RPM
I realize a lot of this stuff have their own power supplies, but include it here just in case it might prove important. My power supply is labeled 300W, and came with my case.
I have a suspicion it is my power supply. Right now, I have my scanner, card reader, and 4 port hub not hooked up. Everything else works fine. I am posting for confirmation, or to see if anyone has a suggestion or an idea that might help.
Posted by: SKYHN
Isnt there a way in SiSoft I think to check the voltages on the system? Under MainBoard Information.
Posted by: Null Actor
What case do you have? Any way to get the model of the power supply?
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
I would look into your power outlet as being the culprit moreso than the power supply. A 19" monitor sucks a lot of power. Add that to the fact that you're also powering everything else when you boot, and you have quite a drain in power.
Try leaving everything connected and then try to boot with the monitor off. Then turn the monitor on after it's done booting. If nothing else, you can identify the problem this way.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
Sometimes certain hardware configurations can clash at bootup too. The latest BIOS may address this particuliar problem. I would try to find another work around though.
Posted by: Spork Lover
this is in reference to ion's power post
Ion... just out of wonder... wouldnt a UPS be able to remedy that situation? I was looking at a few of them.. and some of them claimed to be able to "clean" the power sent to the computer... there was an illustration that showed when there was too much power being sent the UPs would "clean" and lower the signal to the right power amount.. and it when it was low it would raise the power sent to the computer.
Posted by: Kdr Kane
Some UPS's come with a "power conditioner". This cleans up the AC power output.
Since all of the power connections coming out the the computer power supply are DC voltages, there really isn't any need for an AC power conditioner. What you really need is a really good computer power supply with excellent voltage regulation and sufficient power output.
If you really want the best power for your computer, I would recommend looking at PC Power and Cooling.
If you are really up to getting the best, then get one of their models with the PFC option. This option has automatic power factor correction. This option actually adjusts to the phase variance of your local electrical power. Adjusting the power factor has the benefits of heat reduction, less power waste and expense for electricity.
These things don't come cheap. But, they are rated at 100,000 hours of life.
Posted by: Ion Silverbolt
A UPS can help make up for power lags, but it necessarily can't keep up with a large demand of power all at once. It only takes a millisecond of lagged power at bootup to cause a boot problem. Once everything is running, then the UPS should work regardless.
It's a logical assumption since he did buy a new monitor. A 19" draws quite a bit of power. An Athlon system and a 19" monitor will easily tax a UPS quite harshly. Even a good one.
It very well could be the power supply though. At least this way he can make sure without forking out some Dinars for a new power supply. 
Posted by: Sarc
It may very well be that your wall-outlet is not supplying enough power to everything your running, but being as that a USB port keeps your system from booting, seems kind of unlikly. It might be that the USB hub is creating a short, either with your mobo or your P.S.
I had a system with a parallel port add-on card, with one specific P.S., the system wouldn't boot when a device was plugged into the add-on port, it would but fine when nothing was plugged into the port. Only with a different P.S. was the system able to boot succesfully with the port in use.
Both the P.S.'s were 250W, just different brands.
If you happen to have another P.S. laying around, you might try it.
Posted by: Chako
Ok thanks for the suggestions. I will buy a new power supply. This one came with a cheap case. The power supply is cheap and I have no confidence in it, although it powered my computer for about a year. Trust me when I say cheap. You can push the metal stamped box in, and it has no weight. Feels more like a 200W in weight.
I will also take a closer look at the USB chain to see if there is any grounding. I looked, but maybe overlooked something obvious.
I will post back after trying out the monitor trick..will keep you updated.
UPDATE: I tried leaving my monitor off when booting and it did not work. When I turned it on, I get the same thing...my screen froze...no beep this time however. It freezes just before it checks the memory. This time, I unplugged the same USB cord from the back of the computer, and the machine booted from there fine. When I plug the USB back into the computer, it stops again (freezes). When I unplug it, it starts over again...strange.
Posted by: JANNA
ur power supply if 250w or less is simply not enough for everything u got in ur comp. replace that first with at least a 350w+. if the problem persists boot the comp without anything atached to the USB port then plug in just the hub then one device then the other to the USB hub till everything is on. if ur comp wont run with just one of ur usb devices attached sans hub i would say check ur irq settings to see if ur new vid card is sharing an irq with the usb bus.
Posted by: Chako
Ok, this is strange.
This morning, I decided to just plug in my hub, then my card reader, then my Scanner as Janna suggested, and it all worked ok. I rebooted successfully once after that with all attached.
Ok, I am thinking more and more that my power supply is marginal. Nothing wrong with the USB shorting out, and my IRQs are ok.
Nova, the power supply and case are cheap no name brands. I got the case and er 300W supply for $45 Canadian. Need I say more. Nothing wrong with the case though.
Posted by: JANNA
yeah ur having too much drain at boot up and ur PS cant keep up. K7 with minimal hardware just sound vid and one CDROM need a lot of power 300wPS minimum with ur setup i wouldnt want anything less than 350w and a really good one. cheap cases are ok long as u toss the PS and put in a decent one.
Posted by: Chako
Ok, just installed a Topower 370W AMD certified power supply. My system is good to go now..and all problems have disappeared.
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