Really strange issue!

[LoUiS]

I have a P4 2.4ghz, windows xp pro, 1gb ram.
Here is the problem: a strange sound comes from one of my 4 hard drives, obviously from the one that windows are installed and when i go to 'My Computer' folder the 2 drives disappear. I can only see the drive that widows are installed and another one. The sytem after about several minutes crashes and i have to restart. I've done all the usual checks (bad sectors, motherboard,.....) and found nothing. I took the pc to an computer engineer and he changed the cpu fan. He told me that the problem was obviously the cpu fan but he was wrong. The problem still exists. I've changed by myself the power wires and the problem disappeared for a couple of months. But it appeared recently again and i'm suspecting that the power supply damages the power wires and as a result the strange noice from the hard drive and the crash! My pc is up-to-date with norton antivirus and some other spy-remover programs. Any suggestions?

[Kamal]

Re: Really strange issue!

I have this happen to me all the time when I try to attach large drives to my computer (usually more than 2). Windows does not read the drives right, check your jumper settings and be sure that the drive detection in the bios is on auto

[unkownartist]

Re: Really strange issue!

how many watts does your power supply produce? if your running to many things in the machine ( i.e. hard drives sound cards and other pci's ) then you could be running your pc's components with a limited power supply, this can leed to all sorts of problems as the components dont have the correct load to run @ optimal performance.... also check all the leeds and also make sure that other drives that are on have the jumper set in the slave position with the exception to the c drive

[LoUiS]

Re: Really strange issue!

how many watts does your power supply produce? if your running to many things in the machine ( i.e. hard drives sound cards and other pci's ) then you could be running your pc's components with a limited power supply, this can leed to all sorts of problems as the components dont have the correct load to run @ optimal performance.... also check all the leeds and also make sure that other drives that are on have the jumper set in the slave position with the exception to the c drive

Because my pc can see all the 4 drives i have, i think that the jumpers are in the right possition. Now about the power supply. From the bios i can see that the watts go until 11-12. I thing i'm gonna just change the power supply with a new more powerfull one.

[unkownartist]

Re: Really strange issue!

. Now about the power supply. From the bios i can see that the watts go until 11-12.

thats incorrect man, the watt rating should be on a sticker on the case of the power supply ( should be between 400 watts and 600 watts) and now knowing that u have 4 drives and all the rest of the shit on it i would sudjest that if the watt rating is under 500 watts then get a higher rating, i currently has 2 drives, 4 pci cards, 4 fans and my video card ( which needs it own power supply ) running on a 580 watt power supply and everything is fine ( http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cas.../psu/hip4B580/ is the one i use ), i used to have the same kind of problem that you are discusing and you can go into the bios page by pressing del @ the system start up and check that all the drives are showing up on the bios setup page, if they are then try switching the ide cables around ( or r they sata on your system ? ) if this doesnt work then i think i might of been correct the first time, its the power supply.

[LoUiS]

Re: Really strange issue!

thats incorrect man, the watt rating should be on a sticker on the case of the power supply ( should be between 400 watts and 600 watts) and now knowing that u have 4 drives and all the rest of the shit on it i would sudjest that if the watt rating is under 500 watts then get a higher rating, i currently has 2 drives, 4 pci cards, 4 fans and my video card ( which needs it own power supply ) running on a 580 watt power supply and everything is fine ( http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cas.../psu/hip4B580/ is the one i use ), i used to have the same kind of problem that you are discusing and you can go into the bios page by pressing del @ the system start up and check that all the drives are showing up on the bios setup page, if they are then try switching the ide cables around ( or r they sata on your system ? ) if this doesnt work then i think i might of been correct the first time, its the power supply.

Sorry my power supply is up to 300watt only!

[rbuffetta]

Re: Really strange issue!

Look at the 12v rail when getting a new power supply. Make sure it is nice and high.

Best way to find out if a fan is the cultprit is put the computer up on a desk without case side on. You would see wires rubbing against, etc. Sometimes a hard drive can make a clicking noise...but not for long because it is about to crash.

[unkownartist]

Re: Really strange issue!

Sorry my power supply is up to 300watt only!

holy shit man.. 4 drives and how many pci cards?

i think you just found the cause of your problem... let me know how u get on

[FM]

Re: Really strange issue!

definitely sounds like the power supply...you shouldn't run/add components beyond 90% of its wattage because that's where the problems start to happen.

Just roughly guesstimating basic components on there (burners, RAM, etc.) you're probably just about maxed out on the 300.

Buy (especially if you plan on adding more stuff on soon/upgrading them) a 450 or 500w supply.

[unkownartist]

Re: Really strange issue!

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ calculate how much u should have with this calc

[beanzncheez]

Re: Really strange issue!

And don't forget that ATA hdds use way more power than SATA hdds. Don't get some cheap ass quality psu either. Go with a big name one that's rated to have a consistent output because fluctuations suck some major ass. Just like your daddy. And speaking of your daddy, here he is, taking his medicine.

[LoUiS]

Re: Really strange issue!

And don't forget that ATA hdds use way more power than SATA hdds. Don't get some cheap ass quality psu either. Go with a big name one that's rated to have a consistent output because fluctuations suck some major ass. Just like your daddy. And speaking of your daddy, here he is, taking his medicine.

Immaturity is your major characteristic my friend beanz & cheeze

[FM]

Re: Really strange issue!

[beanzncheez]

Re: Really strange issue!

My ass is fat and round, just like my mommy. But she said I am the beautiful, little ballerina; dancing the night away. Oh I feel so pretty!

[LoUiS]

Re: Really strange issue!

Once again, immaturity is your major characteristic my friend beanz & cheeze