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Geek Culture / PC Power Cutting Out

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Dave J
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 12:25 Edited at: 20th Aug 2005 12:29
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Perhaps someone could kindly help me work out what's wrong with my computer. A few weeks ago I did an upgrade and installed a new motherboard, CPU and graphics card so my current specs are:

Athlon 64 3000+
GeForce 6600
512MB RAM (2x 256 sticks)
400W Power Supply (I think)

Unfortunately straight after this upgrade I came to the realisation that not long after entering a game (around 2 - 5 mins in) the power would just cut out and my computer would turn off. This would happen with all games from old games like Duke 3D to the new FEAR demo, I tried a different graphics card and I've monitored the CPU temp because I thought it was overheating but it's only ever 33-36 deg C when it cuts out. None of this helped so I decided I'd work out what's wrong later and just simply not play games for the time being.

However, just recently it's starting cutting out during normal desktop use, just random things like viewing websites will make it turn off (usually I get at least 20 mins though, and as far as I know, leaving the PC idling won't make the power cut out) and now it's getting quite annoying because I'm hesitant to start anything productive knowing it could happen again (speaking of which, I should end this post ASAP in case I lose it). In any case, does anyone have any clue what's wrong, I'm thinking the power supply might be the problem but I'm not too sure. I'm not too familiar with the hardware side of things so any help would be very much appreciated, thanks.


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
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Kentaree
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 12:45
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Seems to me like your power supply isnt powerful enough, what wattage is it?

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D I G I T A L
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 12:49
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i used to have the same problem a year ago. i've tried everything until i relised it was from the powere supply. i had to change it and from since everything worked fine. so my suggestion is to try out another power supply. and let it work for 3 or 4 days, play some hard graphics game to make sure.
hope i helped

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Dazzag
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 13:37 Edited at: 20th Aug 2005 13:37
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Yeah, mine used to reboot randomly after I upgraded the graphics card and the hard drives. 400w seems adequate though. Perhaps there is a problem with it. I just upgraded the PSU to a 650w monster (gold plated effort with 3 fans) just to make sure of things (lots of peripherals too). They are really cheap, so is a good place to start.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Fallout
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 14:59
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Where are you getting your CPU temp reading from? It's possible the reading is unreliable if the source is dodgy (such as a built in case themo).

The guys are probably right about the power thing though as graphical apps will probably clock up your GPU and pull off a few more watts and then drain the system, but it's possible its heat related. Depending on how many peripherals you've got, 400watts might be too small. When you load up a game you probably spin up the CD drive, pump up the GPU, pump up the CPU, flood the ram, switch on the sound card etc. all at the same time.

As suggested, I'd try a higher watt PSU. When I was building my compo recently, I asked a few guys who'd been building them what PSU I'd need. I've got two DVD drives, twin GPU graphics card, soundblaster platinum (front facia), two harddisks, and they recommended at least a 500watt PSU, so I picked up a 550.

Good luck.

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Oraculaca
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 15:08
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I just had to get a new psu because the exact same happened to me.


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CattleRustler
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 16:43
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PSU most likely. Vid card needs mor juice and theres a special connection on the MB for it (most likely). I have a 450w psu to supply my monster pci-e card. I had to use a special converter that came with psu: one end plugs into one of the molex connecters coming out of psu, the other side is specially shaped to plug into a specific connector on the MB which is separate and aside from the MB standard power connectors. I think its 22 or 24 pins. Check your MB docs and the power specs of the vid card.

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Dave J
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 16:45
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Quote: "Where are you getting your CPU temp reading from? It's possible the reading is unreliable if the source is dodgy (such as a built in case themo). "


I guessed as much as well, but I've checked the BIOS, EasyTune 5 (which came with my Mobo) and a program called SpeedFan and all give similar readings.


I pretty much thought the PSU was the problem but haven't tested it yet because it's a pain to pull out and replug in all the cables and things, but I guess I should give it a go anyway. I'm not 100% sure it's 400W, that's just the number I had stuck in my head for some reason so I'll have to check that as well. Thanks for all the help so far, though.


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
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Darkbasic MADPSP
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 17:15
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I had this i just formated and it workedmy radeon 9250m oon a p3 do you get a blue screen? that says dumping physical memory?

Love games go to http://www.freewebs.com/halorc
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Fallout
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 18:17
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Ahh, one more thing. Did you upgrade the ram or take it off the MB at all? If so, dodgy ram chips can boot up fine and work fine until a specific cell is accessed and at that point cause a crash. Typically when you start your game, you're gonna be using all those cells and possibly cause the crash.

Something as simple as a bit of dust on one of the connectors when you plugged it in can cause this, so if you want to try the easy fix first, just try removing your RAM, making sure its free from dust etc. Then try just inserting one chip, booting up, testing it out. Swap chips, try again, then test both chips.

Even though it's unlikely, on the off chance that is the problem, it's a good one to try first cos it's quick and simple.

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Me!
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 18:17
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I had the same issue, but unlike everone who has posted it was the GPU overheating instead of the power supply, at first it only happened during shader intensive games, but as time went on it got worse and worse and started crashing while I was on the desktop, then the GFX card died, the card was a ATI 9800pro, the standard heatsink on it was getting too hot to touch, with the next card I added a huge heatsink and fan instead of the normal medalion sized thing it came with, that seemed to cure the problem.

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JoelJ
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 18:55
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it's your power sup..blahblahblah...check your...blahblahblah...maybe it's heat...blahblahblah



"people who wear clothing with tech themes for the purpose of gaining a social label are no different than teenagers who wear large sweatpants to look edgy"
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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 19:01
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i just got a viurs off of my computer that did that, it would randomly turn off the comp, i even had up to date firewall, so i still dont get how it got on there, just though that u mihgt wanna check into that...

“A lot of people approach risk as if it’s the enemy when it’s really fortune’s accomplice” - Sting“
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Dot Merix
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 19:06 Edited at: 20th Aug 2005 20:32
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@Me!: Yeah, my GPU was overheating aswell.. I to have an ati radeon 9800pro..

I had installed a tv tuner card right below it, and the fan was blowing the hot air away from my video card onto the tv tuner which rebounded the air back to the graphics card.. I removed the tv tuner and made sure there was space to get the air out and it's been fine ever since.



WindowsXP Home(Service pack 2), Athlon XP 2400+(2.1Ghz), 1GIG Ram, Ati Radeon 9800Pro 128MB.
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JoelJ
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 19:06
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oh yeah, check MS's website

wait, it might've been McAfee's site that told meh about it...

"people who wear clothing with tech themes for the purpose of gaining a social label are no different than teenagers who wear large sweatpants to look edgy"
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Xolatron old
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 20:05
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This happened to me recently as well... fualty power supply. I tdoesn't matter what wattage it is if it doesn't work right

-Xol

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Osiris
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 21:25
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The virus is new and it was the one that took down cingular completely for a while the patch is on microsofts website.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a87b44b9-7a6a-49b6-bd89-afad4e049c48&displaylang=en
It was also known to shutdown comps randomly.

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Dot Merix
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 21:35
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Osiris.. WTF is that...

Quote: "Install this update to address an issue that may cause a "Generic Host Process" error message to be displayed after you install security update MS05-012, or cause attachment file names not to be displayed in Rich Text e-mail messages"


Quoted straight from the link you just gave us.



WindowsXP Home(Service pack 2), Athlon XP 2400+(2.1Ghz), 1GIG Ram, Ati Radeon 9800Pro 128MB.
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Osiris
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 23:14
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Its other things too, sorry forgot to put the p.s. in but there is an article I got off of symatec that tells more about the virus.

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SageTech
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Posted: 20th Aug 2005 23:21
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Well this problem has always plagued me since my first laptop(compaq) to my current pc(HP), infact i just lost everything a few days ago as the power failed, for the third time! luckily i have extended warranty. Im guessing the problem is your power suply, as when i updated my laptop, i had this problem.

If you're so smart, why are you reading my post?
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TDP Enterprises
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 03:25
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the virus can be a pain in the "rear" to take off, i hit my computer in random places, hoping i could break it and use the warranty, but lo-and behold, the peice of s*** starts working perfectly again...

“A lot of people approach risk as if it’s the enemy when it’s really fortune’s accomplice” - Sting“
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mm0zct
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 09:17
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i'd go with the psu being the problem but i was curious as to how you are cooling your cpu, with a pure copper zelman flower thingy my athlon64 idles at about 55o (albeit there's some fluff in it).

http://www.larinar.tk
AMD athlon 64 3000+, 512mb ddr400, abit kv8, 160gb hdd, gigabit lan, ati radeon 9800se 128mb.
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Flashing Blade
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 12:16
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My sons computer was doing this. At first only when playing high spec 3d games, but started getting worse and worse until it would just shut down on desktop after being on less than 20 minutes.
Luckily he has the same components as me, so I went through changing everything and it turned out to be the CPU.


The word "Gullible" cannot be found in any English Dictionary.
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Dave J
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 14:00
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Yeah, thanks for the help so far everyone, the issue is currently still unresolved but I'm pretty sure it must be the PSU. I tried switching it with a 480W supply which seemed to work fine whilst I tested it but I don't think I used it long enough to make sure that was the cause, I will do some more extensive testing tomorrow with the other PSU and hopefully we'll solve this once and for all. Thanks again, everyone.


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
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Darkbasic MADPSP
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 23:04
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Don't worry just ask if you need moe help

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Xolatron old
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 23:11
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Quote: " Don't worry just ask if you need moe help "

He's a mod. Don't give mod-to-newb-ish advice to mods, it's bad practice (especially when you joined only a month ago )

Hope a new PSU works

-Xol


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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 23:38
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He's just being friendly, don't shoot him down

Hope it all works out Exeat, I had this problem before but it went away on it's own.

Katie Holmes is back!
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Xolatron old
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 23:49
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Quote: "He's just being friendly, don't shoot him down "

Sorry.

Quote: "I had this problem before but it went away on it's own."

It went away on its own! Amazing.

-Xol


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Dazzag
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Posted: 21st Aug 2005 23:55
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Quote: "He's a mod. Don't give mod-to-newb-ish advice to mods, it's bad practice"
So what? Mods don't have to know everything. Hell they don't even have to know everything about what they are modding.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Xolatron old
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2005 00:00
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Alright, alright Sorry. Not trying to start a flame war. Continue on...

-Xol


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Lost in Thought
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2005 13:42
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Does the computer restart itself or just shut off? Alot of times (with my machines) the computer will reboot if the power supply is weak or acting up (if you have auto restart from power off in the bios). I have also had a machine to shut down and not reboot auto due to a bad processor, but restarts by pressing the power button.

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R2D2s Jilted Lover
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2005 14:14
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My 'puter does this when I play Call Of Duty online somtimes. Its really crude it just flashes a quick blue screen and then makes a really irritating noise like it's farting or burping and then it begins the reboot.
I call it the big Happy Birthday!

im just a simple peasant...
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Xolatron old
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2005 17:23
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Lost in Thought,
My computer would go into a messed up state when this happened. It wouldn't restart, it would continue half-alive. The green power light would turn orange, and the orange hard disk icon would be continually on (probably the source of the orange power light, which was just above this). One would have to turn it off manually the start it up.

-Xol


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Dave J
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Posted: 23rd Aug 2005 12:06
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Quote: "Does the computer restart itself or just shut off?"


It just cuts out, as if someone yanked the power cable out of the powerpoint which really suggests the PSU isn't working very well. I'll probably go purchase a new one this weekend and hopefully things will be running nicely again.


"Computers are useless, they can only give you answers."
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Fallout
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Posted: 5th Sep 2005 18:30
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Did you ever get any resolution on this Exeat? I've had a few unpredicable problems with my system recently - one shut-off out of the blue, a few random reboots and one blue screen of death (I didn't even know XP had a blue screen of death, although it might've been more mobo stylee). I've just ordered a 600watt PSU (currently on 500) to see if it'll make a difference. I have twin gpu gfx, two HDs, two DVDs, SB platinum with front facia, a few high spec USB devices etc. and a bunch of fans. Hopefully 600watts will sort that out, but if your new PSU hasn't helped you, maybe it's another problem.

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Arkheii
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Posted: 5th Sep 2005 18:54
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I used to think 400W was big... and now I'm hearing about 600W. How do you estimate the amount of power that a PC needs? Overshooting the numbers will add up to the electric bill, and we don't want that.

Don't worry, be Wahoo!
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Fallout
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Posted: 5th Sep 2005 22:47
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All your devices should have a power spec in their respective manual. I'm using guesswork due to laziness, but you can work it out if you've still got the manuals tucked away (or no doubt you can find the info online). I guessed 500w would be ok for my system, but maybe it's just on that threshhold, so 600w will be comfortable.

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Dazzag
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Posted: 5th Sep 2005 23:04
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Quote: "and now I'm hearing about 600W"
Yep, mine used to cut out. Got a 3 fan gold plated 650W just incase. Was only £30.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Flindiana Jones
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Posted: 9th Sep 2005 00:37
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I WAS having that problem, and I figured out that someone was messing around with my power cord...it was getting really loose, and would every now and then cut the power...

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Darkbasic MADPSP
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Posted: 9th Sep 2005 20:40
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Quote: "I WAS having that problem, and I figured out that someone was messing around with my power cord...it was getting really loose, and would every now and then cut the power...
"

How can you mess around with a power cord is it bare wire or something?

New dbpro site unleashed go to
http://www.freewebs.com/darkbasicpro
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JoelJ
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Posted: 9th Sep 2005 20:45
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Quote: "How can you mess around with a power cord is it bare wire or something?"

or people bumping it and it slowly comming out?


Eat some of dat cheese
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