KG7-RAID or Power Supply Problem, computer shuts down few second after power up. Plea

[bytcp]

I'm not sure if this is a motherboard problem or the power supply but
check this out. When I power up my system it turns on and then turn
off a few seconds later. I normally have to hit the power two or
sometimes three times before the power up "takes". The power supply
is relatively new and everything else works fine. Could it have
something to do with an out of whack power signal telling the power
supply to shut down? The problem is intermittent and I can't reproduce
it on request but it's been happening for about two months now.

I'm running an ATHLON XP 1600+ and Windows XP. Two hard drives 400
watt power supply.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Sixpack]

Welcome to PCMECH. My first thought is possibly your cmos battery. Not sure but it's a thought. I'm sure there are others here that can give you additional input

[Alfie]

What motherboard are you using?

[Force Flow]

Originally posted by Alfie What motherboard are you using?

KG7-RAID , it's in the title

What brand is your PSU?

[Wrnchhead76]

Is it ever even getting close to booting into windows? Does it seem like when the harddrive is accessed it shuts down?

[bytcp]

I would say it cuts out shortly after I hear the tink of the hard drive head. I guess I could try unplugging the secondary drive but 400 watts should be more than enough for everything in there. So no, it's not close to windows, it's pre post.

[Force Flow]

What brand is the power supply, bytcp?

[Wrnchhead76]

I was just thinking that possibly it could be a short in the hard drive motor, which might not show up every time, as with any electric motor, this would trip the circuit protection in the PS. Try unplugging the HD and see if it makes any difference, just a thought.

[bytcp]

The power supply is a CompUSA brand, the gold colored one with more fans (obviously it was a quick replacement for the origianl which died.) The HD short intrigues me, i'll try disconnectiing the secondary. Both Western Digital drives, never had any trouble with them. This is freaky, what about a power switch problem? How can I even checlk for that?

[Sixpack]

Dissconect the power button lead from the mb and momentarily touch both pins at the same time with a small screwdriver.

[bytcp]

Originally posted by Wrnchhead76 I was just thinking that possibly it could be a short in the hard drive motor, which might not show up every time, as with any electric motor, this would trip the circuit protection in the PS. Try unplugging the HD and see if it makes any difference, just a thought.

I disconnected the second drive and so far I haven't had any problems. Is there anyway I can do further testing on the drive? I would have thought if it was a short I would have had some other problems with the drive. I use it for storing ghost images so it gets large files written to it frequenjtly without any problems. Does this seem odd?

[Wrnchhead76]

No, I would that that's pretty much all the testing you need to do on it, everything is probably fine except the spindle motor, if it's still under warranty, id get another one. If not you may have to buy one, but i would stick with WD, no manufacturer can be totally free of defects, but they build good drives. If there is data you'd like to collect, you can always hook it up and see if you get lucky and it will work once. Good luck..

[bytcp]

I haven't had any operational problems with the drive at all. Shouldn't I see some performance problems with a spindle motor on the fritz?

[Wrnchhead76]

No, if it has a really bad single spot on the armature, it will most likely work fine until the bad spot lines up and power is applied it will short out, giving you that problem. But if it turns away from this spot, when power is applied and it is spinning, it will function normally.

[bytcp]

Now I'm gettiing annoyed. I replaced that drive and it's doing the same thing. However the two days that I didnt have a second drive attached I had no problem. What's going on here? Power supply? 400W should be more than enough.

Suggestions?

[Cricket]

Originally posted by bytcp Now I'm gettiing annoyed. I replaced that drive and it's doing the same thing. However the two days that I didnt have a second drive attached I had no problem. What's going on here? Power supply? 400W should be more than enough.

It's not the amount of power that's causing the problem, it's the quality of the power supply itself and it's inability to supply clean steady power to the system. You need to replace the CompUSA PSU with a good quality unit. Do a search of the forum for "good quality power supplies" and you'll get an idea of which brands to look at.

Cricket

[bytcp]

How positive are you that that's the problem? I already bought that drive I don't need! Your solution sounds like it could be it. Is there any way to test these stupid things?

[oddjob]

Try changing the IDE cable, but leave both drives connected. I had two different setups (one including a KG-7 Raid) with 2 HDD, a dvd and cd-rw using the same generic 350W psu and never had a problem. Also, try different power leads from the psu to the drives (find out if there is a bad one). If there is a bad connector coming off the psu, change the psu.

[bytcp]

I replaced the power supply with a 400 watt Zalman, so far no problems. Thanks for the help!

[bytcp]

I'm having the same problem, even with the new power supply. This is really @#!&% aggravating. Anyone have any other ideas? I'm dying here.

[shifty]

Check that you have the cpu fan plugged into the correct fan header.I think that board might have two headers side by side.If you have the cpu fan plugged into the case fan or power supply header it won't boot because it's not detecting the cpu fan running and shutting down.I had the same problem with an Abit board and that was the problem.Had to hit the switch two or three times to start it or sometimes it would start the first time.Take a look see.

[oddjob]

Originally posted by shifty Check that you have the cpu fan plugged into the correct fan header.I think that board might have two headers side by side.

Yes, Fan_4 is for your HSF, it's the one nearest the atx power connector (and right beside Fan_1).

[bytcp]

BINGO BANGO Shifty, you nailed it. Thanks a ton that was really pissing me off.

[shifty]

It's an easy mistake to make.Glad I could help.

[ron743]

I Am Having The Same Problem

[flanzig1]

ron: Should start a new thread for your problem/this one is 3 yrs old.