PC Problem Need Help

[M_Unlimited]

My pc keeps shutting down for no reason.

It started a few weeks ago the screen would go blank and I would have to restart. Re installing the video card driver helped, but it happens 2 more times. And this last week the sound and video went out and I would have to re start. Now it's just shutting down for no reason.

I just built it about 2 months ago, here are the specs.

Windows XP
Amd Quad Core 3.0 GHz cpu
2 sticks of 4 gig DDR3 ram total 8 gigs
WD 500 gig HD
PCI 3.0 His Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition
Mother board: Biostar Smart A780L3B

When I install the drivers for the HD video card it installs fine but at the end tells me there was an error, it works fine.

It's not getting to hot, might be a power problem? Maybe the ram is bad? don't know how do I check?

If you need any other info just ask.

Thanks.

[Deepfreeze32]

Done memory diagnostics and disk checking?

Disk check is usually on either the Windows install media, or can usually be scheduled through Windows itself.

Your motherboard should have some form of memory diagnostic tools from the BIOS menu.

[M_Unlimited]

Hmm..... says "Total Memory: 3.25 GB" I have 8 gigs in there That's strange.

Also found this.
----------------------------------
12 - Event Log
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1201 - Time : 1/26/2013 1:37:17 PM
1202 - Source : MsiInstaller
1203 - Description : Product: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 -- Setup cannot continue because this version of the .NET Framework is incompatible with a previously installed one. For more information, see http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb ... 2/5/00.asp

1201 - Time : 1/25/2013 4:04:03 PM
1202 - Source : MsiInstaller
1203 - Description : Product: Catalyst Control Center -- Internal Error 2753. installShell.exe

1201 - Time : 1/25/2013 3:51:29 PM
1202 - Source : MsiInstaller
1203 - Description : Product: Catalyst Control Center -- Internal Error 2753. installShell.exe

----------------------------------

Web page does not work. Should I try and install the latest version of .Net Framework? CCGR might know... The Catalyst Control Center is for the video card I got from her.

It's a software problem or ram problem I think.

[ccgr]

If you have a 32bit OS it will not see more than 4GB of RAM. Try installing .NET 4. Download the latest Ubuntu live CD and run memtest86 on it. Go in your BIOS and check your voltages for your power supply in the 5 and 12 volts are off you need a better power supply. If I recall your power supply was your weakest link.

[M_Unlimited]

If you have a 32bit OS it will not see more than 4GB of RAM. Try installing .NET 4. Download the latest Ubuntu live CD and run memtest86 on it. Go in your BIOS and check your voltages for your power supply in the 5 and 12 volts are off you need a better power supply. If I recall your power supply was your weakest link.

Yes it is 32bit should I change it to 64 bit? mmm.... not sure how, I think there was a reason I had to go with 32bit. If is shows less then 4GB does it still use the 8GBs? also this morning I figured out it is the power supply. Do you think it's broken or do I need to get a better one? If so could you recommend one?

I will install Net 4 when I can I need to fix the power problem first. I turned on my pc this morning and just after it got into windows it shut off, I think I saw a spark in the Power supply :\

My tower is a Diablotek Elite ATX mid tower the 450W power supply came with it.

[Deepfreeze32]

Yeah, you can't use more than 3.8 GB (Accounting for OS-reserved space) on a 32 bit system. You might be able to upgrade your installation of Windows to 64, if you have the 64-bit installation media.


Also, you may want a more powerful power supply, I suspect that 450 might be cutting it close.

[ccgr]

Antec, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair make good power supplies. Check Newegg for rebates and read the reviews.
Don't bother with XP 64 bit, just go to Windows 7 or 8 instead

[M_Unlimited]

Antec, PC Power and Cooling, Corsair make good power supplies. Check Newegg for rebates and read the reviews.
Don't bother with XP 64 bit, just go to Windows 7 or 8 instead

I don't have money for a new windows..... or a new power supply I would get windows 7 if I had the money. I will try to get some money together for a new power supply. 600W good?

Edit:

How many watts do you I need?

[ccgr]

500-550W minimum so a 600W would be perfect

[M_Unlimited]

500-550W minimum so a 600W would be perfect

This looks like a good one, do you think it will work with what I have?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... llFullInfo

[Deepfreeze32]

That should work, unless your graphics card requires two power connections of the same type.

[ccgr]

perfect, that's a great price too

[M_Unlimited]

Yesss!!! Back up and running, Thanks every one!!!

Edit: Ubuntu live CD looks cool. .NET Framework 4 says to repair not install so I must already have it.

[M_Unlimited]

Advanced System Care says I have NTFS Compression so it should be using my 8 GBs of ram right? I can download Ubuntu live CD and run memtest86 and I can check the Bios if you think that will help.

[ccgr]

NTFS is your file system, while there is a 64bit version of Windows XP out there it's very rare and I bet you're running the 32bit version. Only 64bit OS's can see all 8GB of your RAM

run memtest and see how much RAM it detects