# Flakey new computer
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 13, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554 "2006-08-13T15:39:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/1 "2006-08-13T15:39:21Z")
I just built myself a new computer, and it’s very flakey, and could use some help/recommendations. Here are the specs:
AMD FX-62
Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe motherboard
Nvidia 7950 GX2 video card
2GB Corsair DDR2 800 memory
Thermaltake Armor case w/ 25cm side panel fan
Thermaltake ToughPower 750w power supply.
Maxtor 300GB SATA II hard drive
Sony DVD-ROM
Sony DVD/RW
Here are the problems that I’ve noticed so far.
First, if I power off the computer, I will not get a video signal to the monitor (ViewSonic A90f+ CRT) when I power it back on. When I power the computer down again, and then back on, there’s a problem with the memory (1 long beep, followed by 2 short beeps). When I reseat the memory, the computer powers on just fine, with video being sent to the monitor. This was happening before I had any software installed on the computer.
Second, after all of the patches for XP (Home), I installed SP2 for it against my better judgement. I only did that because I saw a message from the systray saying that support for SP1 would end on October 10th of this year. Anyway, after installing SP2, my wireless mouse (Logitech MX 1000) was having problems. If I had any application open, there would be random 1 or 2 second pauses before the cursor would “catch up” to where it was supposed to be. After half an hour or so, the mouse functionality would stop completely. I could still use the keyboard, so the computer wasn’t locked up. It’s just that I couldn’t use the mouse. The cursor would stay in the same place no matter where I moved the mouse.
This also happened on my other computer a while back when I installed SP2, and was using a different wireless mouse. However, when I built my wife’s computer, and had SP2 installed on it, there haven’t been any problems with hers, and she’s using a wireless trackball.
I switched to a PS/2 mouse, and haven’t had that problem anymore.
Third, sometimes when I’m typing, a key on the keyboard will get “stuck”, and will keep inputting the same character. The problem with this though, is that the key isn’t stuck. I never had this problem on my older computer with this keyboard. In addition to this, sometimes I’ll type 3 or 4 characters, and nothing will come out. I’ll have to stop typing momentarily, then try again. Then what I typed will come out. (Logitech USB keyboard).
Fourth, in the Java application that I use for work, the clickable buttons don’t have the text on them to show what the buttons’ functions are. This is a minor problem, and might be corrected with a video driver update.
Fifth, sound cuts in and out. I downloaded drivers for the on-board audio to see if that will fix that problem, but I haven’t yet tried any sound based apps yet.
Now, the things I’m going to try are updating the motherboard’s BIOS, and using Omega’s drivers for the video card instead of NVidia’s. But, I don’t think that will help with the first problem.
Any ideas? Is the motherboard bad? It seems like it’s an I/O problem, but I don’t know how to really test that to make sure. If you need more information, let me know.
Any help/recommendations are appreciated.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/2 "2006-08-13T15:45:32Z")
From [here](http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml):
1 long, two short beeps mean a display adapter problem.
Check your video card.
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### Author:  [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/3 "2006-08-13T15:52:47Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#):
>
> I just built myself a new computer, and it’s very flakey, and could use some help/recommendations.
Dude, you shoulda bought a Dell. 😛
-FrL-
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/4 "2006-08-13T16:17:24Z")
Thanks **Rico.** Is it possible that video card is causing the keyboard problem as well? I’m not really worried about having to use a wired mouse, I’m not concerned really about the sound, and I figure the graphics gliches in java will be resolved with a replacement video card.
**Frylock** , 😛
cf’75
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### Author:  [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/5 "2006-08-13T16:46:14Z")
Don’t do a Bios update while it still is beeping during start up. You may end up with a motherboard that doesn’t do anything. Only update the Bios when the system is stable.
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/6 "2006-08-13T17:06:51Z")
> [@Harmonious Discord](#):
>
> Don’t do a Bios update while it still is beeping during start up. You may end up with a motherboard that doesn’t do anything. Only update the Bios when the system is stable.
Noted. I think I just need to return the video card first, and see if a different card will fix the problems.
I’m now tempted to step down to a 7900GTX instead of getting another 7950.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/7 "2006-08-13T20:10:58Z")
Most definitely a video problem, I had the same thing with my previous computer. I assume that your motherboard has Award BIOS? Return your video card to the store if you still have the receipt, or else RMA it through Nvidia. It may be possible that it a motherboard problem, but I would suspect that the video is suspect, and it is easier to replace anyway. My Radeon 9600 worked in other computers but not in mine, and RMA did fix it.
SP2 was not a mistake. However, never update your drivers through windowsupdate, for sound and video cards. Always go to the manufacturer first.
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### Author:  [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/8 "2006-08-13T20:57:43Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#):
>
> Noted. I think I just need to return the video card first, and see if a different card will fix the problems.
>
> I’m now tempted to step down to a 7900GTX instead of getting another 7950.
>
> cf’75
I presume you’ve pulled and re-seated the card?
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/9 "2006-08-13T21:06:56Z")
> [@flex727](#):
>
> I presume you’ve pulled and re-seated the card?
Not yet. Since I’m working today, I haven’t been able to do that since it’s been established that it’s a video card problem. I’ll do that when I’m done working. It couldn’t hurt, and if that solves the problem, would eliminate the hassle of shipping the card back to the vendor.
Thanks everybody.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/10 "2006-08-13T21:25:15Z")
Sounds like your videocard might be overheating. Maybe the stock heatsink is not cutting it. Check the video utilities and maybe it will tell you how hot it’s running.
A quick check on google seems to indicate that you aren’t the only one with overheating problems.
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 13, 2006, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/11 "2006-08-13T22:05:06Z")
> [@archmichael](#):
>
> Sounds like your videocard might be overheating. Maybe the stock heatsink is not cutting it. Check the video utilities and maybe it will tell you how hot it’s running.
>
> A quick check on google seems to indicate that you aren’t the only one with overheating problems.
It’s currently running at 57 degrees, with a slowdown threshold of 122 degrees.
I don’t think overheating is the problem though. When I turned on the computer the first time, there was no signal going to the monitor and the card was at room temperature. The same thing for this morning when I powered it on after it had been off all night.
I’ll definitely keep that in mind though if I’m noticing problems when I’m gaming.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@Imasquare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Imasquare)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2006, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/12 "2006-08-14T06:55:06Z")
If your motherboard has onboard video try removing the video card and reboot using the onboard video. If there is no problem then that will confirm that your video card is stuffed.
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2006, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/13 "2006-08-14T20:21:28Z")
Well, I reseated the video card, and that seemed to do the trick until this afternoon. The same boot up problems happened again. No video signal. 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps.
So, I tried an ATI 9200 PCI card, and it was the same thing with that card. No video signal.
Now, I don’t know if I need to send the motherboard and the video card back, or just the motherboard. Because if 2 different video cards are having a problem, then the only common factor is the motherboard.
I’m going to try the video card in my wife’s computer and see what happens, but I’m not happy. I’ve never had these kinds of problems when I built my own, and I’m really disenchanted with the entire process now.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/14 "2006-08-14T20:44:16Z")
Shot in the dark and likely not related, but I’ve been researching a new purchase myself and I believe the M2N-E has some RAM compatibility issues. This doesn’t really sound like RAM problems, but then RAM problems can manifest themselves in very strange ways sometimes. Might be worth checking the Corsair’s specs for what voltage it wants to be fed and then check the BIOS to make sure it’s getting it.
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### Author:  [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)
#### Post date: [August 14, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/15 "2006-08-14T21:39:18Z")
Sorry I’m late.
I built a computer recently very similar to yours, and encountered a number of strange problems. No beeps, but the whole machine would shut down unexpectedly, and I often got the “no video coming out” problem.
Solution: New power supply. When these things are flaky–and they seem to be flaky more often than any other component–you get wild all-over-the-board problems. I’d at least try a new one, especially if the board is “identifying” problems that don’t exist.
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### Author:  [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2006, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/16 "2006-08-15T04:57:48Z")
Okay. I tried the 7950 card in my wife’s computer, and it worked perfectly. So, I’m going to return the motherboard first, and try a different one. If I’m having problems with a different board, then it will definitely be time to take a look at the memory and power supply.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions and recommendations. It’s all been greatly appreciated.
cf’75
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2006, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/17 "2006-08-15T05:11:16Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#):
>
> Okay. I tried the 7950 card in my wife’s computer, and it worked perfectly. So, I’m going to return the motherboard first, and try a different one. If I’m having problems with a different board, then it will definitely be time to take a look at the memory and power supply.
>
> Thanks everybody for the suggestions and recommendations. It’s all been greatly appreciated.
>
> cf’75
Try the PSU swap before a new mobo, one weak line or loose on that supply can ruin your whole day. If your wifes machine has a compatible PSU you might want to try a quick swap with that too. Hell of a lot easier than swapping out a mobo after you hooked everything back up. IF you have the option of trying to hook the video card up to a different plug on the PSU via an adapter needed you might find that just the video power feed to the culprit.
PSU testers are available for $10-$15 at many computer stores. They will only ID pretty major failures but if you have a bad line or ground you will see it. A bad ground can do really weird things.
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### Author:  [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)
#### Post date: [August 15, 2006, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flakey-new-computer/368554/18 "2006-08-15T05:21:39Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#):
>
> I’ve never had these kinds of problems when I built my own, and I’m really disenchanted with the entire process now.
>
> cf’75
NAh, keep up the good fight. It happens to everyone, sometimes you just need another set of eyes. I had a guy call me up who had just dropped $4K on new bad boy toy parts. Built his baby, and couldn’t get the thing to start.
He owned 4 machines, all homebuilds, he looked like he wanted to cry.
Rather than try to pin down a diagnosis on a machine that was totally failing to fire, I stripped it back down to loose parts and started from scratch. When I pulled his mobo there was a screw pinned against the case by the motherboard, probably shorting it against the case and tripping the overload circuit on the PSU.