Computer Hangs at BIOS, Will Not Start

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I agree - your video card probably knocked it over the edge in power draw. Despite the power ratings and the Antec name quality, it seems to be unable to provide enough power.

ASKER

Thanks for the response. I've never had an issue of not having enough power. Wouldn't it boot okay when I disconnected all the peripherals? This system won't even boot barebone (only RAM and video card, no disk drives).

Thanks again for the response.

I would stick with Antec...been using those for years...and you were probably the 1 out of 1 million PSU's that cr$apped out.

When a power supply stops working, it isn't necessarily a linear falloff. It can also be erratic as far as when it happens.

ASKER

Forgot to mention: I originally set this system up with a 350W (Antec as well) power supply and had it running fine. I later decided to use the 430W from my old system to give it adequate power. Then I had this problem afterwards.

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ASKER

In getting a replacement, what do I consider besides wattage? Just get something 450+? Any other features I should look into. I like Antec and this power supply has served me well in the past (still not convinced it is definitely the issue).

This looks like a good upgrade: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103941

looks good to me.

That's a nice high efficiency model.

ASKER

Okay, NOW I'm convinced. :)

I just hooked up an old 350W power supply to the system and it booted up (though the power supply fan was dying and I only left it on for a minute). I left the system barebones.

I guess I'll order that power supply ASAP and see if that fixes the issue.

Do you think that the video card could "strike again" or was this most likely a power supply problem all along?

Also, do you think that power supply I posted will be able to handle the following?

Asus A7N8X (AMD)
Shuttle AB60R + Intel 2.8Ghz
Maxtor HDD - 120GB
Maxtor HDD - 300GB)
2 Seagate SATA 120MB Cheetah drieves
Pioneer 110 DVD-RW
1.5GB (3x512MB) Corsair XMS Memory
ATI Radeon Video Card
EMU APS Sound Card (very old - Creative Labs)
Extra PCI USB Board

Thanks for the help!

I have an Athlon64 X2 3800+ with a Radeon X850XT and 5 hard drives, and I measured it as drawing a little over 200 watts at maximum load (startup). That new supply should be more than enough, and you can get an estimate here: http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/. I think the video card event was a fluke and related to the power supply.

ASKER

Thanks for the link. It's telling me that 370W should do it. So 550 should be comfortable.

In your opinion the video card is probably a fluke and not necessary to be replaced so I guess I'll leave it in the system for now.

Thanks a lot for all your help, Callandor!

@chefelf...you mean I didn't assist in any way, as my comment was first, and that is what you are ending up doing? :-(

Do you realize that you can split points?

ASKER

Oops, sorry. You are right, irwinpks. I don't suppose there's any way I can split points retroactively. :-(

Sorry.