Hardware Problem

[MikeP]

Well I think that's what you'd call it.

Starting-up my PC on Friday morning it started to boot-up but then an alarm started to sound.

When it did eventually get around to running the start page I had to try and boot-up in Safe Mode.

This is did and I then used System Restore and went back a day or two.

I didn't have a chance to use the PC until this morning. It started-up ok, the Restore was successful and all seemed well for a few minutes then the alarm started again.

At the same time the whole thing slowed right down. I exited all programmes and then switched it off.

In the past week or so, the main fan has been noisy, as though it's struggling. there doesn't seem to be any obvious reason for this (it's not gummed-up or anything and a drop of oil on the bearing doesn't make any difference).

Is the alarm likely to be to do with the poorly performing fan?

The power supply controller is a Chieftec HPC 360-202.

Now I can take the box of tricks to a computer shop but looking inside I think that I can replace this myself easily (as long as it is what is likely to be the problem).

The only issue seems to be that the unit is no longer available.

I don't want to go to the computer shop that built this PC for me some years ago, have them baffle me with gobble-de-gook and flog me something I don't need.

If I was fairly certain that it's the Chieftec thingy, I can probably source a modern equivalent that will fit in the available space.

Of course I could be barking up the wrong tree entirely and the whole thing is pharked!

 

[SOAA]

It could also be your CPU fan that is on the way out.

When you first switch your PC on, attempt to access it's BIOS screen, this can usually be acheived either by pressing, F1, F2, F10 or Delete a few times. It varies on different PCs.
Once there, have a look for something along the lines of PC Health Status.
In there it should give you readings of how fast your CPU fan is spinning and how fast the power supply fan is spinning.
It should also tell you the temperature of the CPU and motherboard + maybe a few other bits.
If you've managed to find where I mean, what readings is it giving you?

 

[stonetown]

First of all establish what is wrong, if the PSU is failing, it's usually because the fan bearings are worn (hence the noise) and not cooling efficiently and it could be starting to overheat, have you blown all the dust out??. When you say you have an alarm, is that an audible alarm from the power supply or a software alarm (could still be audible) when you have logged in? Or something else. That's the first step. A failing PSU would not necessarily require a restore, so I'm not sure why you have done that already. If your machine is slowing down, then that could be indicative of a software problem a virus a program going wrong etc. Of course there could be more then one fault and they have happened at the same time coincidentally.

Power Supply Units are very easily replaced by the user as they are generic unless you have a branded PC such as Dell, Compaq, Acer, HP (and some of these use generic parts) no need to be ripped off by getting a PCWorld tech to replace or whoever.

Searching on your PSU this is a generic 360 Watt ATX PSU you should replace this with any ATX PSU that is 360 Watt or higher (looks like yours is for a computer older than 3 years). The standards dictate that the cables and screw mounting positions will be the same for all ATX PSU's. Of course to be sure you can take the old unit into the shop with you.

Once you have the new PSU, simply unplug the old one from the motherboard and any internal peripherals such as hard drive, floppy, DVD, remove the unit from the case and replace. Most sockets will only plug together one-way so it's pretty foolproof. Remember electrical safety precautions (ie switch the fecker off before touching it ).

You can purchase a new PSU from anywhere. As with all computer bits, your local computer fair or the internet is the cheapest, then the retail shops.

 

[stonetown]

It could also be your CPU fan that is on the way out.

When you first switch your PC on, attempt to access it's BIOS screen, this can usually be acheived either by pressing, F1, F2, F10 or Delete a few times. It varies on different PCs.
Once there, have a look for something along the lines of PC Health Status.
In there it should give you readings of how fast your CPU fan is spinning and how fast the power supply fan is spinning.
It should also tell you the temperature of the CPU and motherboard + maybe a few other bits.
If you've managed to find where I mean, what readings is it giving you?

+1

an overheating processor would also cause slowdowns and various other strange and unpredictable effects. Lift the lid when the machine is running, blow the dust out, look for a small (approx 3inch diameter) fan and a larger heatsink inside on the motherboard, is the fan spinning? Blow the dust out of it and give it a nudge with your finger, does it spin again on its own? Does the noise appear to be coming from this fan. If it is this fan then these are also easily replaced and purchased. best to take this to the shop to check on its size and should definitely not cost more than £10. If it is this fan, then try not to use the machine until you have replaced it, the processor could overheat and fail (especially if it is a P4) and will cost loads cos P4's will be becoming rare, a new machine might cost less !!

Dust is the mother of all computer slowdowns !

 

[MikeP]

Thanks for the advice.

So far I have removed the processor fan and the heat-sink. I've cleaned both up (the CPU fan was spinning before doing this).

Reassembling and power on, the fan spins up nicely but again after a minute, the alarm sounds again.

At the moment I have the tower disconnected from everything to poke around inside. All I'm connecting is the power lead so I'll try the Bios thing later when I have mouse etc re-connected.

I left the CPU fan disconnected to determine if it is that one that's noisy, it's not.

Would this PSU be a suitable replacement?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223827&criteria=psu&doy=17m5

 

[mikepg]

Mike - yes it is fine, but if you look at the image of the unit, the fan points upwards and not in the same direction as the power supply socket - all depends on the design of your case.

So check first, if not - this one will be fine
;http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=A96FC&DOY=17m5

 

[MikeP]

Mike - yes it is fine, but if you look at the image of the unit, the fan points upwards and not in the same direction as the power supply socket - all depends on the design of your case.

So check first, if not - this one will be fine
;http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=A96FC&DOY=17m5

Well done!

I wondered who would be the first to spot that!

 

[SOAA]

I left the CPU fan disconnected to determine if it is that one that's noisy, it's not.

OMG! Please promise me that you'll never switch your PC on again whilst you have the CPU fan disconnected! Bad, bad things could arise from it

 

[MikeP]

OMG! Please promise me that you'll never switch your PC on again whilst you have the CPU fan disconnected! Bad, bad things could arise from it

Twas only for a few seconds so that I could work out if it was the noisy one. Honest!

 

[SOAA]

Twas only for a few seconds so that I could work out if it was the noisy one. Honest!

OK then, I'll let you off this time

 

[Zippy]

Did you say you removed the heatsink from the CPU ?

When reassembling, the heatsink should be fixed to the CPU using thermal grease/paste or equivalent to ensure a complete thermal connection, otherwise it may not transfer the heat properly and cpu breakdown could ensue....

 

[MikeP]

I love this bloody forum!

Thanks to SOAA, mikepg and Zippy, your collective advice seems to have done the trick.

Today the new PSU arrived, I bought some heat-sink paste, cleaned the residue of the old stuff off (with clean cotton-buds) and for good measure I've added another fan to the box thing.

I know it's probably something that people do without batting an eye-lid but delving into the box of tricks is not something I've done before. I'm quite pleased with myself!

Thanks again to the three of you, it's nice to be back on my ancient, steam-powered PC.

Ta!

Mike.

 

[stonetown]

I love this bloody forum!

Thanks to SOAA, mikepg and Zippy, your collective advice seems to have done the trick.



Mike.

errr was I not on this thread also ? Or did I not help in any way ? I'm not bothered, really I'm not

 

[MikeP]

errr was I not on this thread also ? Or did I not help in any way ? I'm not bothered, really I'm not

You are on my ignore list so I can't see what you contributed or the post that I'm replying to!

Sorry, I didn't check the contributions, my memory is playing-up. Maybe Maplins have a solution for that?

 

[stonetown]

Sorry, I didn't check the contributions, my memory is playing-up. Maybe Maplins have a solution for that?

Yup, Memory Restoration Kit only £29.99