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[Condor Baggins]

Ok so I've been trying to help someone get their computer back to the speed it was when built 4 months ago, I've scanned the hell out of it, defragged, checked the disks, cleaned registry (basically everything there's a util for) but it's still slow as a week in the jail. I'm thinking it's some sort of hardware problem as :

Takes an age to boot up.
Games freeze at random.
Some processes take forever.
Some USB devices aren't detected by windows and when removed can cause the pc to d/c from the internet.
Doesn't detect Ext HDD.

Specs:



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Been thinking about running a windows repair on it but I doubt that would change much, been tearing the hair out of my head trying to work out what's wrong. Ideas are most welcome.

[keasy]

Because of the USB issues I would try a different PSU on it.
 

[corroded]

Worth having a look at the 3.3V, 5V and 12V lines in an Overclocking tool. That'd be helpful.

You could also try some stability tests after you've taken the Graphics Card out. That will be your second highest draw in there, and would give you a bit of a chance to see if the PSU is being a bit funked.

I would go with Power or Mobo being the issue here, as guestimates. Has your error log got anything interesting in it after it crashes?

[keasy]

Just an idea but that MOBO as well as the amd GPU on the rig has an integrated chip an Intel GMA X4500.

It is disabled in the BIOS yes ?

[Condor Baggins]

Don't have the PC here infront of me atm Keas so can't tell you if the onboard is disabled or not.

Here are the voltages as taken from the BIOS though : VCore - 1.320v
                                                                                3.3v - 3.056v
                                                                                5.0v - 4.915v
                                                                                12.0v - 11.880v

The 3.3v looks a tad shy of the mark for me, but I'll let all ye who know better than I decide.  


Edit** The PC doesn't crash Chris, it just freezes for 10 second spells every now and again when under load.

[Thermalsig]

What psu? Those voltages seem very low with a little too much variance. Unless I'm misreading it, those are at bios?

Sent from my DROIDX

[Condor Baggins]

Just found out that it's a 400w PSU. Think that might be the problem....

[Wooster]

The voltages look a bit low to me as well, in BIOS I'd expect them to be just over.

[Condor Baggins]

Just looked up the minimum requirements for an HD4800 series and it's 450w, so it looks to me like a new PSU is in order.

Anyone else agree?

[keasy]

No I defo don't agree until I know what model it is from the 4800 series.


It could be a tiddler for all I know and TBH with that CPU I hope it is.

[keasy]

Lowest I can find is a 4850 and a bigger PSU would help it but TBH I wouldn't bother as it's to much for that CPU, the trouble during games with them hanging is because it's bottlenecking. the CPU can't keep up with the demand from that card.

[keasy]

Or is it ?

Hmmmmmm that a twin core ?

[Condor Baggins]

It's a 4850 mate, the PDF files that goes with that series had it under minimum requirements as 450w. That coupled with the voltages being so low makes me think it is a PSU problem after all...

Thing is, everything used to run fine for just over a month then it started to deteriorate.

Dual Core also.

[Technical Ben]

It will do. The power caps (AFAIK, not an electrician or scientist) will work for a little, then burn out. Most electrics would burn out after long use, but 10+ years is ok. Overload it by a a few extra watts, and you might get 5 years. 50 or 100 watts, and hours.

[Condor Baggins]

Thanks for that, I'll see about getting a new PSU in it next week.