Computer Stability Issue and Gravity

[TopSpin]

I'll start with what I've got:

MB: ASUS A8V
Processor: AMD 64 Athlon Socket 939 3500+ (2.2GHz)
Memory: 2 x 512MB DDR 400
Video Card: Sapphire Radion 9600 256MB DDR
Power Supply: DiabloTek 400W

I think that's all the relevant info, probably too much. Anyway, My computer will only boot and run stable when it is lying on its side. When it is standing upright it looses all stability: successful boots are random, it will freeze at random.

On startup I get two beeps. I thought it might be a grounding issue, but I've taken everything out, and put it back in several times. I even bought a new case this week, and I still have the same problem. It doesn't seem right that a grounding issue could be solved by a 90 degree rotation.

I'd like to be able to stand my computer upright as the cd-rom works much better, and it takes up less space.

Any ideas?

[Spyder-F16]

I'll start with what I've got:

MB: ASUS A8V
Processor: AMD 64 Athlon Socket 939 3500+ (2.2GHz)
Memory: 2 x 512MB DDR 400
Video Card: Sapphire Radion 9600 256MB DDR
Power Supply: DiabloTek 400W

I think that's all the relevant info, probably too much. Anyway, My computer will only boot and run stable when it is lying on its side. When it is standing upright it looses all stability: successful boots are random, it will freeze at random.

On startup I get two beeps. I thought it might be a grounding issue, but I've taken everything out, and put it back in several times. I even bought a new case this week, and I still have the same problem. It doesn't seem right that a grounding issue could be solved by a 90 degree rotation.

I'd like to be able to stand my computer upright as the cd-rom works much better, and it takes up less space.

Any ideas?


Did you check your Mobo's manual to see what the beeps indicate. Might be a fan that isn't running when stood upright.

[Wheels]

also check cables, and if there isn't anything that moves when you turn your computer on it's side

[Cosmin]

Your problem clearly relates to the way gravity acts on something inside your PC's main unit. I mean, if you say it only runs stable on it's side, that must be it. Problem is - what component is causing these problems?:smash

I had some similar problems in the way that mine would boot, load Windows and after about 5-10 mins. just reset. It was the CPU's cooler. It wasn't working properly because of the dust inside it.

In your case, I don't think it's the CPU's cooler or the video card's cooler (if your's has one)... check the power supply. It has that fan which gets chocked with dust particles and all that BS. If it's not that, as said, check all the cables to be pluged properly, your cards to be properly inserted into their slots and so on. You haven't said anything about weird noises (like chopping) from inside the unit (which is often the case when there's a fan problem), so I take it that you don't hear that. Good luck and keep us posted.:thumb:

Btw, hello everybody! This is my first post on FO.:plane

[Vampire14]

Are you hard drives new? Maybe a problem with the pickups not sitting properly when it is vertical or something along those lines, hence not reading your drive properly?
Just a thought, and yea just maybe with the position change something is falling out of it's slot slightly so disrupting the contact and data transfer.
Mine was very touchy when I put it together, wouldn't boot if I plugged my little fan controller into a spare molex power plug - temperamental little b!#*h.

[RodemusPrime]

Take out your memory modules and put one in at a time...and boot up...it sounds like you have a memory problem just by the beep codes you spoke of and if your computer runs better on its side then something is loose(internally) cause if you turn it upside down normally it shouldnt make a difference....also make sure that your harddrives are secure....put in all the screws....:wink2:

[TopSpin]

Thanks for all the help. Next weekend I guess I'll just have to take it appart again; then, put it back together one piece at a time until I figure something out. I think the beep codes are related to how many usb devices I have plugged in as the beep code changes every time the number of external usb devices plugged in changes. That did seem odd to me though...

[BHawthorne]

I'd take it fully apart and put it all back together again. That way you know everything has been checked. It shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes, plus it gives you an excuise to clean out all the lint buildup that occurs in cases. That'll at least rule out lose connections and bad seated cards/ram.

If that does not fix it, is your cpu fan having any issues? Fan bearings can go out. If they are going out they might work better when the case is oriented in one direction and not another. That might not be the problem, but I've seen it happen.

If those things don't isolate the issue, you might have a failing hard drive or bad stick of ram.

[bingo]

TS
Sounds like it time to upgrade to a new computer........hehe

[Spyder-F16]

What type of HDD are you using? I hope it isn't maxtor...

[RodemusPrime]

Also what kinda case do you have and what fan configuration(intake,outtake,number of fans)

[bingo]

RP
Not to change the subject, but I noticed you are running the same mobo as me and I was thinking of upgrading to the FX-60, how do you like it? any issues or problems?
Thanks

[RodemusPrime]

Bingo...because im a gamer like most of us i installed:AMD Dual-Core Optimizer
which helps it to run smoother than it already does...:thumb: