Computer reboots when transferring files using USB - PSU maybe?

[lukasahero]

I've had some issues with this pc rebooting itself for the last 10 months and I've gotten it to stop except for during file transfer between my external HD via USB to my primary drive. (Yes, auto-restart check box is unchecked.) No errors are thrown to the event log and I've got every diagnostics tool I can find checking my fans, mobo, temps and voltage.

Here's what I have:

ASUS P5KPL-CM motherboard
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7300 @ 2.66GHz (x2)
ATI Radeon HD4550 video card
Corsair 2x1GB XMS2 DDR2-800 Dual Channel memory sticks
IPSG WD 3.5" 640GB Sata HDD
DVD/CD R/W combo
Linksys WMP54GX Wireless G PCI Adapter with SRX
CoolMax 600W 'Smart Fan' PCIE PSU
in a Cooler Master Centurion 5 Silver ATX Case

I've done a power supply check using a couple of different calculators, and gotten different results, but the one from my mobo company suggests I should have a min of 500W. That covers the basics but then, I'm using the PC for music, video and photography. I have a usb connected scanner, my Toshiba external hard drive (not to mention half a dozen flash drives), a usb keyboard (ie: synthesizer), both a usb and a regular jacked mic, my keyboard and mouse are wireless connected via a usb, my camera and mp3 player hook up via usb. I have cheap altec speakers but a sweet pair of sennheiser headphones.

So my power supply seems a little light to me (with little overhead for peaks) to begin with but what I'm wondering is - does all this extra music, video and photog hardware add to the power supply required? I've already had this beast back to MicroCenter 4 times - they change out a component and tell me it's fixed, only to have it not be fixed, so I don't really want to go out and spend another $100 on a power supply if I'm completely off-base and this couldn't possibly be the issue.

Thoughts/comments/ideas/number to the nearest insane asylum?

[DainBramaged]

1. Nice system, and yes, sounds like a PS problem

Buy a PS tester (20/24 pin) they go for about $15, and the -5volt light is supposed to be out on 24 pin power supplies. If that fails it's worth replacing it ASAP before something bad happens to your hardware.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182185

Rosewill Green Series RG630-2 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified,ATX12V v2.3,SLI Ready,CrossFire Ready,Active PFC"Compatible with Core i7, i5" Power Supply - Retail
15% off w/ promo code RWOCT15, ends 10/18 $54.99

[lukasahero]

3. Thanks - when it's up, it's screaming fast

And thanks for the info.

I've read that the ATX12V is something I should look for in a new PSU. You have linked to a 630W one here and that's one thing I've been wondering while trying to find a new one - is that going to be enough power for what I'm running to it? Is the problem I'm running into just a bad (poor quality, not ATX12V) psu or do I really not have enough juice to power my peripherals? I've been reading about the 12v rail and how most new hardware is designed to run off it rather than balance the load - is that part of what I might be running into? Is the rail config more important that the total power?

One last thing, if you don't mind me asking, it seems PSUs all have different types of pin connectors. (I should have explained that I barely speak hardware geek (I'm a programmer) so half the time , I don't really know what I'm really talking about...) So, my question - how do I know what kind of pin connection I need/can use?

I really appreciate the response - it's one thing to read articles and reviews and specs, but it's nice to a have person help interpret all of it.

[lukasahero]

7. I love you, man!

Bought myself an Antec EW 750W psu over the weekend. It arrived today and my system is not only screaming fast but stable as well! Thanks a bunch!

:woohoo:

[Dead_Parrot]

2. I encountered similar problem a few months back...

...with an Asus m/b, might even have been the same model: It was randomly rebooting, sometimes twice a day, other times once every two months. It seems it was shorting out against the chassis, but only if the conditions (temperature, load, phase of moon etc) were right, and of course you couldn't replicate the problem for love nor money.

A set of those little red fiber washers between the chassis and board cleared it up nicely, though.

Incidentally, that chassis had molded stand-offs - I had to superglue the washers in place, then refit the board.

[lukasahero]

4. That's a great idea

I think no matter what happens next, this is something worth pursuing. I've also got to clean up some of my wiring the next time I have the box open. Appreciate the input!

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

5. Have you thought about a Powered USB Hub?

I think it would be interesting to know if it still rebooted with one.





Like your system :headbang:

[lukasahero]

6. Good grief, I didn't even know there was such a thing!

I'm despearatly close to hardware illiterate... But now that you mention it, that sounds reasonable. I'll definitely give it a look-see. Newegg, here I come. :)

Thanks! And thanks about the system, it's nice to hear folks who have a clue think I did ok in building this. Now, if I could only get it work! :rofl: