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Voltage Problem

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  • 03-10-2004 4:35pm
    #1
    kencleary
    Registered Users Posts: 580 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I seem to be having a strange voltage problem with PC. My PC seems to be crashing while i'm playing games - ordinarily i'd put this down to a graphics card problem but my Asus Probe system monitor is giving me warning beeps from the Voltage Monitor section. It shows my +3.3V dropping below 2.8 whenever the system is put under pressure. Unfortunately i've got no idea what this means. Can anyone help me out here as to why this might be happening. The PSU is an Antec 400W power supply so I'm it carries enough voltage for my system - might it just have developed a fault? Will I need to replace it?


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    #2
    BloodBath
    Registered Users Posts: 10,299 ✭✭✭✭BloodBath


    That's a strange one. The 3.3v line hardly ever undervolts on psu's. It's normally the 12v line. There is one way of fixing it but it involves opening the psu.

    There are 2 adjustable pots inside the psu. They are basically like screws that you turn to up the voltage level of those lines. One is for the 3.3v line and ones is for the 12v line and the 5v line.

    If you want help i'll post more and some pics. I did this recently enough with my psu.


    BloodBath


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    #3
    Optikus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,415 ✭✭✭Optikus


    kencleary wrote:
    Hi all,

    I seem to be having a strange voltage problem with PC. My PC seems to be crashing while i'm playing games - ordinarily i'd put this down to a graphics card problem but my Asus Probe system monitor is giving me warning beeps from the Voltage Monitor section. It shows my +3.3V dropping below 2.8 whenever the system is put under pressure. Unfortunately i've got no idea what this means. Can anyone help me out here as to why this might be happening. The PSU is an Antec 400W power supply so I'm it carries enough voltage for my system - might it just have developed a fault? Will I need to replace it?

    What is your spec? you might need a more powerfull PSU, or you can try what bloodbath said that will get you more power, just makesure u give the capacitor a good lick
    :D joke be carefull of it, it still holds enough powerr to give ya a nasty shock.


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    #4
    kencleary
    Registered Users Posts: 580 ✭✭✭kencleary


    My Spec is nothing out of the ordinary. XP 2500, 1 GB RAM, GeForce 4800, CDRW, DVD etc.

    I am running all four USB ports including a Wireless LAN Connection - could they be a drain on power?

    I'll try disconnecting a few of the USB devices anyway and see how stable the system runs. If that doesn't work I'd like to take you up on your offer Bloodbath!


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    #5
    BloodBath
    Registered Users Posts: 10,299 ✭✭✭✭BloodBath


    If you are still under warranty i'd advise getting it replaced. If not the mod is the way to go. I've never seen a 3.3v line undervolt by that much. What is it like when the system is not under load?

    For the mod you will need a multi-meter. The 3.3v rail can be got from any molex connection. Just power on your system and insert the black probe into the back of either of the two black pins and the red probe into I think the yellow is the 3.3v rail. If not then it's the red. You will know anyway as one will read near 12v and the other will be near 3.3v. Now test the 3.3v line idle and under load with the multi-meter. Bios readings are hardly ever accurate.

    When you have this much done get back to me and we'll do the next step.


    BloodBath


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