This has been Peeing my off for Ages..

[BloomerzUK]

...and I need to sort it out. Or I will have the consequences.

I have a semi-recent computer:

C2D E4300 @ Stock

2GB GeIL PC-6400 @ Stock

WD 250GB SATA II

8880GTS 320MB

Abit AB9 QuadGT

Corsair 520watt HX PSU

Windows XP (Was the same in Vista)

Here's the problem. Whenever I have my Hard Drive and DVD-RW (SATA) drive plugged in at the same time on the PSU, my Hard Drive Clicks and powers down to a halt in the OS, sometimes not even booting into the Windows.

When it's unplugged it works fine in Windows and gaming etc.

This was aggreivating to say the least, and it's a pain to put up with (CD Backups and not being able to install things on the fly).

The only way I got around this, was getting my Mother's computer and hooking both computers up - Mum's PC Powering just my HDD and my computer powering the rest, inc. the DVD-RW.

But lately, with the DVD RW unplugged, my Hard Drive clicks and powers down, and brings the computer to a sluggish speed. I don't want to lose my Data!

Note: I have nothing else what so ever plugged into any molexs/SATA, except the Hard Drive.

By doing this with my Mum's computer, this seems very like the PSU - What do you think? It's still under Warranty, and I could RMA.

TIA,

Bloomerz

Edit: Added PSU Voltages

P.S - I've seen the 5V be much lower!

 

[PV5150]

I take it you have checked your power settings?

Start Menu > Cntrl Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options

Check how much time you have in the 'Turn off HDD' section. Vista for some reason pulls this kind of trick and you hear the drive power down - stutter - click - and then it powers up again. You may have accidentally changed the Power Options profile in XP and be experiencing the same problem

 

[prosser13]

Have you got a multimeter?

I would never trust what a motherboard says regarding PSU rails

 

[FarFarAway]

PV's hit the nail on the head. Turn that off and you'll be fine

 

[BloomerzUK]

I've checked the Power Options already. I've re-installed plenty of times before that aswell. It happened with my old motherboard to Gigabyte DS3.

I flat out of ideas.

 

[Rastalovich]

Gigabyte software have any power saving things in it ? I have no experience of it. Or maybe a bios option - or even the drivers they use for sata.

Does sound like a classic power saving thing.

Any chance ur mom`s psu could be taken out and fitted/tested with this ?

Only other thing I`d mention is backup ur important shizzle whilst u know u have a chance.

 

[BloomerzUK]

Sorry for late reply. I've tried it with my Mum's PSU. Works fine. 100%.

So another question. I am going to buy another PSU. From either SpecialTech or Tekheads, what is the best PSU (£60-£80) to power my rig in OP? Modular would be nice, but not required.

Cheers,

BloomerzUK

 

[BloomerzUK]

Anyone?

 

[mrapoc]

Well first id take it up with corsair as that isnt normal and u probably have some kind of warranty (if not perhaps they will solve it our of good will?)

 

[BloomerzUK]

Yeh, didn't think about that. I will e-mail them It's got a 3 year warranty IIRC.