[win2kpro]

That answers a couple of questions (I think) I don't know why Everest was showing the Processor as a Pentium 3 Xeon processor then shows it as a Core 2 Quad Q9400 which is not a Pentium 3 Xeon processor.

The board identification now becomes a little clearer. It is apparently an Abit IP35P, Ver. 1. The Abit website indicates the BIOS for the Q9400 MAY be supported, but the BIOS version shown indicates it was a test BIOS, and the supported processor page at Abit hadn't been updated since July 2008.

I'm especially interested in the specs of the power supply. The Q9400 has an Intel recommended amperage requirement of 13A continuous and 16.5A peak for at least 10ms. With that processor and a 9800 series card you need a fairly strong power supply with enough amperage on the +12v rails.

Look on the side of the power supply and beneath the voltages shown, i.e. +3.3V, +5V, +12V, +12V, -12V, +5V there should be amperage listed. Post the amperages listed for each voltage.

also, do this.

Go here; http://www.gtopala.com/siw-download.html

Download SIW Standalone. This is an executable that doesn't have to be installed on your machine. Just download it to the desktop and run the application. After the application runs click on component in the left pane that you want to identify, when the right hand side pane opens see what information is provided regarding the make and model of the specific item chosen.

If you want to delete SIW Standalone just right click on the desktop icon and delete it. You may want to keep it since it is handy for finding information for your machine.

After SIW is downloaded to your desktop, launch the application and in the left hand pane, click on Motherboard. In the right hand pane see what SIW identifies as the motherboard, and post the information.

Next, in the left hand pane click on CPU Info, and see what info SIW provides for the processor, and post the information.

Next, in the left hand pane, click on Memory, and see what info SIW provides for the memory, and post the information.

Since you won't be able to copy and paste the information displayed by SIW make screen shots of the Motherboard, CPU Info and Memory information and attach the screen shots.

It is absolutely impossible to make a diagnosis unless you have information on the EXACT components of the machine. I need to verify that the processor and motherboard listed in your last post are correct.

I know that at least some of the information provided by hardware monitor is incorrect since it indicates the +12v voltage is 6.75v, and the machine would not even run if the voltage was 6.75v.

[peck1234]

please download cpuid and post what it says under the motherboard tab...

[Rich-M]

I'm with you Win2k on the psu and we both suspect that is junk but I can tell you something else if memtest did not complete and rebooted in the middle of the test, then the ram is undoubtedly incompatible as I have seen that one quite a few times before. very few builders match memory correctly, they simply use trial and error and then down the road, error wins out.

[win2kpro]

Rich, I don't know all the specs are sort of screwy. I saw the poster's 1st post listing a Pentium 3 Xeon running at 2666MHz I knew that couldn't be since the fastest P3 Xeon was 1GHz. and was a slot 2 processor.

Then the info on the power supply which I could find nothing about, and no RAM specs. I don't don't why in the hell Everest was identifying the Processor as a Xeon then later as a Q9400.

In post #4 his BIOS voltages look fine except there was no reading for +5v, then in post #9 Hardware Monitor shows the +12v voltage as 6.75v and +5v as 3.77v and that's impossible, it just can't be right.

Then to top things off Abit doesn't list a supported BIOS (pic attached). For the Q9400 Abit just shows test, and the page was last updated in July 2008. If I recall correctly Abit ceased building boards in 2008, and I'm not even sure if their BIOS version 11 would read the CPU ID string for the Q9400.

[Rich-M]

You are right and then think a little more because the pc is 1 month old built with a motherboard that has to be at least a year old and all this from an actual shop in a town? Making less and less sense but I know we have to start with ram when memtest refuses to complete.

[Steven44]

The amperage listed on the power supply are as follows: 35A, 32A, 17A, 19A, 0.3A, 3A.

Attached are the screenshots you requested. Thanks again for all the help. I really, really appreciate it.

[win2kpro]

Follow the procedure listed here at the bottom of the page entitled To verify that Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology is enabled, do the following:

http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/rese...ech/203838.htm

Post a screen shot as shown in figure 1

[Rich-M]

The one thing we could really use is the model number of the board to check ram compatibility and of course it is not there but it really doesn't matter, if memtest quit it isn't compatible anyway.

[Steven44]

Here's the screenshot. Also, I looked in the Power Management window as mentioned in the instructions and noticed that my computer is, by default, set to Home/Office Desk and not the minimal battery setting. Should this be changed?

[win2kpro]

No, Home/Office is fine.

In post #14 you stated; I had another shutting down incident today, though this one was different from the others: the machine turned off, attempted to restart, and turned off again before even making it to BIOS. It then turned on again, turned off and turned on again - choosing to stay on that time.

What you describe is a classic symptom of a weak power supply. From that description I personally believe this is happening.

The Q9400 and the 9800 series card is pulling more amperage than the power supply can supply without overheating. When a power supply overheats, the output current decreases, and can cause a rail or rails to "drop down" or "drop out". As the power supply cools the rail or rails come back up to power.

Even without seeing the manufacturers specs from the values you post in post #21 I believe the power supply is too weak for the application.

Without having the machine on my workbench where I could install a good quality power supply, I feel 90% sure that the power supply is the problem. This power supply would very likely solve your problem.

I certainly can't guarantee anything, but this is where I would start.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

[Steven44]

Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately, I'm currently living in South Korea and Newegg doesn't ship here. Would you mind posting some general specs for a power supply that would work best with my current set-up? I figure the next best thing would be to go around to various computer shops and see what they can come up with.

Thanks again. If this ends up solving the problem I'll name my first-born after you.

[win2kpro]

My personal preference would be a power supply with a single +12v rail of around 45-55 amps. I have no idea what is available in South Korea but good brands are Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Silverstone and Zippy.

[Steven44]

All right. I'll give that a shot and see how it goes. Thanks.

[Steven44]

By the way, I'm wondering if I should be rushing to get this done as soon as possible. Beyond being an inconvenience, is the computer repeatedly powering down this way doing any major harm to the hardware? I only ask because if it it, I can try to limit my PC usage until I replace the PSU.

[Rich-M]

Originally Posted by Steven44

By the way, I'm wondering if I should be rushing to get this done as soon as possible. Beyond being an inconvenience, is the computer repeatedly powering down this way doing any major harm to the hardware? I only ask because if it it, I can try to limit my PC usage until I replace the PSU.

Very good thinking.