Random Failure

[Opath]

About 2 days ago, my custom build computer (that's coming up on it's second anniversary) suddenly stopped working. It powers on, but to a blank monitor and the sound of my hard drive trying and failing to spin up. I haven't upgraded any parts since this summer, with 2 256MB RAM sticks, so I'm stumped. Parts list as follows:

One 400W PSU
One Pentium 4 Socket 775 3.0 GHz Processor
One ATI 9600 Atlantis 256 MB AGP Video Card
One Generic 512MB RAM Stick
Two 25MB Kingston RAM Stick
One Samsung 40GB SP0411N Hard Drive
One WD 80GB WD800BB-00FJA0
One Generic DVD+-RW/CD-RW Drive
One Gigabyte GA-8IPE775-G Motherboard

I've reset the CMOS and tested a different hard drive (had the same spinup problem as the other 2, but worked in the other computer).

[dogdude16]

my first suppect would be the psu but can tell us the brand of your PSU

[newbuilder14]

Agreed, the way you wrote one 400w power supply leads me to believe it is some generic junk that just won't power up your drives. Your drives 'failing' is your power supply not giving them enough juice probably.

[Opath]

It's a generic 400w PSU that came installed in a case made by some company called Colors It, so it's pretty much generic, yeah.

[Alaron]

That is the first thing I'd replace. Here is our list of brands to buy and avoid: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

[Opath]

Originally Posted by Alaron That is the first thing I'd replace. Here is our list of brands to buy and avoid: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

Awesome, thank's Alaron. I'll let you know if it works(can only hope it does...)