"Power Error" - What does that mean? What do I do now? - Computing and Networks

etldlrl · 01-06-2007, 20:16

Hi everybody. I really hope I have built up a bit of good karma in this forum over the years because I really could do with some help now!

My old PC is dying. That is the one I am typing on now. I am trying to build a new one. I am not trying to do anything big or clever. I have done this before with old PCs at work and it went fine. Of course, when it is my PC the whole thing is cursed! I am having a really bad day. And so is my new PC...

What I have done is put a new MB, CPU, disk and Memory into an old case and powered it up.

What I get is a continious beeping noise which the MB manual explains as "Power error" but declines to tell me any more.

The full symptoms are:
Press power button.
CPU fan spins a bit. Stops. Starts again. Keeps going.
CDROM makes the normal motor noise as it powers up.
Beeping starts about three seconds after power on. Keeps going.

What does "power error" mean? Does it mean that it doesn't like the PSU, or does it mean I cocked up the connections? I have double checked them and they look OK.

What I have is a 250w FSP brand PSU with an ATX power block and the square 12V block. It is old but it worked OK last time I used it. It lacks SATA power but I have a SATA power adaptor. All should be fine, right?

The MB is a Gigabyte GA-81865GME. This is not exactly modern but I liked the fact that it was meant to be very Linux compatible. It takes ATX power and the 12V block. Both are connected. The CPU is a 3.2 Ghz Pentium D.

Am I simply not using a powerful enough PSU, or is it something more subtle? I have never had a problem using old PSUs with modern MBs and CPUs before. Provided it is all ATX everything has been fine.

Can anybody suggest anything?

Netizen · 01-06-2007, 20:21

Your PSU is seriously underpowered for the PC you're trying to power it with, get a new one! At least 400w and a decent brand like Enermax, Seasonic or FSP.

richpom · 01-06-2007, 20:26

250w is hardly anything - try visiting this website and calculate how much power you need.

I've never heard of FSP myself but sometimes cheaper branded PSU's don't actually supply the full amount they state. Therefore, try a more powerful PSU if you have one to hand or maybe someone else on here has another idea what it could be.

Best of luck

etldlrl · 01-06-2007, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Netizen

Your PSU is seriously underpowered for the PC you're trying to power it with, get a new one! At least 400w and a decent brand like Enermax, Seasonic or FSP.

Thanks. I was hoping that might be the case. At least it would mean I havn't broken anything.

The motherboard and CPU manuals give no indication of how much power you need and I thought that most modern PCs were happy with 250W as new CPUs were not as hungry as the old ones at their peak. The PCs I built at work were mostly Celeron 3.0Ghz and they didn't mind old PSUs.

Is there any source of guidance on how much power you need for each type of CPU?

Kie · 01-06-2007, 20:36

Try these or just google power supply requirements

http://www.schrockinnovations.com/powercalc.php

http://support.intel.com/support/pro.../CS-007994.htm

I would agree with the previous posters - get a decent power supply

a good place to start

http://www.cclonline.com/product-cat...ategory_id=263

etldlrl · 01-06-2007, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by richpom

250w is hardly anything - try visiting this website and calculate how much power you need.

Thanks for that. It looks like a trip to PC World (spit!) is required. I have one in walking distance. I wonder how much they will rip me off compared to buying mail order... Still, at least I can have it tommorow morning.

I should have checked it out before I bought the other stuff. I guess my success with the Celerons at work had made me complacent.

Pingu · 01-06-2007, 20:50

If you do buy from PC World, make sure you reserve it via their website ('Collect In Store'). That way you pay the internet price, which is usually pretty reasonable.

Loobster · 01-06-2007, 21:03

I don't think your current PSU is underpowered for what you've got in the machine, unless you've neglected to mention you've got a power hungry GPU and other drives that you've not mentioned in your original post.

I just think your PSU has gone cranky with a bit of age and not being used for a while.

etldlrl · 01-06-2007, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loobster

I don't think your current PSU is underpowered for what you've got in the machine, unless you've neglected to mention you've got a power hungry GPU and other drives that you've not mentioned in your original post.

It will be all onboard graphics, NIC and sound. There will be 3 HDDs, 2 DVDROMs and a floppy in it but only one HDD is in at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loobster

I just think your PSU has gone cranky with a bit of age and not being used for a while.

It powered my Athlon XP 1800+ OK until a few weeks ago when I took it out to see if that was what was killing the PC. It wasn't.

I do have a 300W PSU (which is currently powering this PC) which I could try, but that has no 12V square power block. I guess that makes it a non-starter?

etldlrl · 01-06-2007, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pingu

If you do buy from PC World, make sure you reserve it via their website ('Collect In Store'). That way you pay the internet price, which is usually pretty reasonable.

Thanks for that. They are not cheap even with the internet prices but it certainly helps a bit.

They only seem to do Jeantech PSUs. I have never heard of Jeantech. Are they any good?

Netizen · 01-06-2007, 21:40

A Pentium D being based on the P4 is one of the most power hungry and inefficient chips around, surely?

Jeantech are ok, about middle of the road I'd say. If it were down to me I'd still buy one of the better makes from an online store.

iDan · 01-06-2007, 22:44

Jeantech aren't bad, i know a few people who've used them and had no problems.

Personally, i'd try and independent PC shop, they're more likely to stock a decent PSU.

moox · 01-06-2007, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by etldlrl

I do have a 300W PSU (which is currently powering this PC) which I could try, but that has no 12V square power block. I guess that makes it a non-starter?

It might depend on the motherboard - one of mine has both connectors, but you do not need the 12V to be connected for it to work, but it is recommend you do.

etldlrl · 02-06-2007, 14:10

I changed my mind about PC World. I now have a 480W Colors-IT brand PSU on order with Amazon for about 40% of the price (delivered!). It is not too late to cancel it. Are Colors-IT any good? I have never heard of them but there was no negative feedback on any of their stuff.

ForestChav · 02-06-2007, 14:12

Wtf? Never heard of them. Did you check the make over on badcaps.net like I said on countless other threads of a similar nature?

Netizen · 02-06-2007, 14:12

Have to say I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole with a name like that... it might be ok but it's always a lottery with these no-name brands.

etldlrl · 02-06-2007, 14:56

I just did a Google on them and the only page I could find slagging them off was a page that listed pretty much every brand of power supply as being evil. I think that one can safely be ignored.

Pingu · 02-06-2007, 16:10

I had a Jeantech a few years ago - it was an emergency PC World buy after mine exploded

It was pretty good - well made, nicely finished. Worked fine.

Netizen · 02-06-2007, 16:21

Jeantech do make good budget cases so maybe the PSUs aren't that bad

Delvious · 04-06-2007, 06:52

Nowt wrong with Jeantech PSU's I bought one about 6 months ago from Novatech (replacing a bestec in an emachines

) and it's been running almost non stop ever since with no problems...nice and quiet delivers the power at the rates it states.

As a budget replacement PSU I would recommend them.

etldlrl · 08-06-2007, 20:07

OK. I got my new 480W PSU and the PC still does nothing more than beep its head off, exactly the same as I described inthe first post. I have tried disconnecting all peripherals from the PSU so it isn't them. Even if the cheap PSU I bought isn't great it certainly should be able to power a damn motherboard! I fear something is seriously wrong.

I am going to take the MB out and check that there is no sign of physical damage. I might even try running it outside the case.

Can anybody suggest anything else I can try?

ForestChav · 08-06-2007, 20:13

If that's the case, then it could be the board. Check the caps aren't bulging, corroded or leaking their goo - which can come out of the top or the bottom of the cap. You might also want to do some things like reseating gfx, ram and CPU...

01-06-2007, 20:16	#1
etldlrl Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Guildford Services: O2 Broadband, Freeview, Grundig GDT1500, SUSE Linux, EEE-PC Linux Posts: 5,860	"Power Error" - What does that mean? What do I do now? Hi everybody. I really hope I have built up a bit of good karma in this forum over the years because I really could do with some help now! My old PC is dying. That is the one I am typing on now. I am trying to build a new one. I am not trying to do anything big or clever. I have done this before with old PCs at work and it went fine. Of course, when it is my PC the whole thing is cursed! I am having a really bad day. And so is my new PC... What I have done is put a new MB, CPU, disk and Memory into an old case and powered it up. What I get is a continious beeping noise which the MB manual explains as "Power error" but declines to tell me any more. The full symptoms are: Press power button. CPU fan spins a bit. Stops. Starts again. Keeps going. CDROM makes the normal motor noise as it powers up. Beeping starts about three seconds after power on. Keeps going. What does "power error" mean? Does it mean that it doesn't like the PSU, or does it mean I cocked up the connections? I have double checked them and they look OK. What I have is a 250w FSP brand PSU with an ATX power block and the square 12V block. It is old but it worked OK last time I used it. It lacks SATA power but I have a SATA power adaptor. All should be fine, right? The MB is a Gigabyte GA-81865GME. This is not exactly modern but I liked the fact that it was meant to be very Linux compatible. It takes ATX power and the 12V block. Both are connected. The CPU is a 3.2 Ghz Pentium D. Am I simply not using a powerful enough PSU, or is it something more subtle? I have never had a problem using old PSUs with modern MBs and CPUs before. Provided it is all ATX everything has been fine. Can anybody suggest anything?

01-06-2007, 20:21	#2
Netizen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wakefield Services: Sky+ and BB Max Gaming: XBMC, X360, Wii Mobile: Nokia 5800 Posts: 4,538	Your PSU is seriously underpowered for the PC you're trying to power it with, get a new one! At least 400w and a decent brand like Enermax, Seasonic or FSP.

01-06-2007, 20:26	#3
richpom Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 406	250w is hardly anything - try visiting this website and calculate how much power you need. I've never heard of FSP myself but sometimes cheaper branded PSU's don't actually supply the full amount they state. Therefore, try a more powerful PSU if you have one to hand or maybe someone else on here has another idea what it could be. Best of luck

01-06-2007, 20:36	#5
Kie Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,516	Try these or just google power supply requirements http://www.schrockinnovations.com/powercalc.php http://support.intel.com/support/pro.../CS-007994.htm I would agree with the previous posters - get a decent power supply a good place to start http://www.cclonline.com/product-cat...ategory_id=263

01-06-2007, 20:50	#7
Pingu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bath mostly Services: Virgin, HDTV, iPhone 3GS, 360/PS3/Wii, Mac, 3 Poodles Posts: 10,470	If you do buy from PC World, make sure you reserve it via their website ('Collect In Store'). That way you pay the internet price, which is usually pretty reasonable.

01-06-2007, 21:03	#8
Loobster Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Services: Windows 7 x64, Q6700, 8GB DDR2, 1TB Spinpoint, GeForce 8600GTS Posts: 9,874	I don't think your current PSU is underpowered for what you've got in the machine, unless you've neglected to mention you've got a power hungry GPU and other drives that you've not mentioned in your original post. I just think your PSU has gone cranky with a bit of age and not being used for a while.

01-06-2007, 21:40	#11
Netizen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wakefield Services: Sky+ and BB Max Gaming: XBMC, X360, Wii Mobile: Nokia 5800 Posts: 4,538	A Pentium D being based on the P4 is one of the most power hungry and inefficient chips around, surely? Jeantech are ok, about middle of the road I'd say. If it were down to me I'd still buy one of the better makes from an online store.

01-06-2007, 22:44	#12
iDan Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Yorkshire. Services: Sky+, XBOX 360, Nintendo DS, Nokia 5800, Dell Inspiron Mini 9. Posts: 8,821 Blog Entries: 14	Jeantech aren't bad, i know a few people who've used them and had no problems. Personally, i'd try and independent PC shop, they're more likely to stock a decent PSU.

02-06-2007, 14:10	#14
etldlrl Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Guildford Services: O2 Broadband, Freeview, Grundig GDT1500, SUSE Linux, EEE-PC Linux Posts: 5,860	I changed my mind about PC World. I now have a 480W Colors-IT brand PSU on order with Amazon for about 40% of the price (delivered!). It is not too late to cancel it. Are Colors-IT any good? I have never heard of them but there was no negative feedback on any of their stuff.

02-06-2007, 14:12	#15
ForestChav Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Male Location: Nottingham - Chavland :s Services: VM 10Mb, Sky+, WinHomeServer, Win7, N95, PSP, Squeezebox Duet LOSE THE GAME Posts: 22,751 Blog Entries: 8	Wtf? Never heard of them. Did you check the make over on badcaps.net like I said on countless other threads of a similar nature?

02-06-2007, 14:56	#17
etldlrl Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Guildford Services: O2 Broadband, Freeview, Grundig GDT1500, SUSE Linux, EEE-PC Linux Posts: 5,860	I just did a Google on them and the only page I could find slagging them off was a page that listed pretty much every brand of power supply as being evil. I think that one can safely be ignored.

02-06-2007, 16:10	#18
Pingu Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bath mostly Services: Virgin, HDTV, iPhone 3GS, 360/PS3/Wii, Mac, 3 Poodles Posts: 10,470	I had a Jeantech a few years ago - it was an emergency PC World buy after mine exploded It was pretty good - well made, nicely finished. Worked fine.

02-06-2007, 16:21	#19
Netizen Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wakefield Services: Sky+ and BB Max Gaming: XBMC, X360, Wii Mobile: Nokia 5800 Posts: 4,538	Jeantech do make good budget cases so maybe the PSUs aren't that bad

04-06-2007, 06:52	#20
Delvious Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bristol Services: VM TV (L), BB (L) + Phone (M). Posts: 437	Nowt wrong with Jeantech PSU's I bought one about 6 months ago from Novatech (replacing a bestec in an emachines ) and it's been running almost non stop ever since with no problems...nice and quiet delivers the power at the rates it states. As a budget replacement PSU I would recommend them.

08-06-2007, 20:07	#21
etldlrl Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Guildford Services: O2 Broadband, Freeview, Grundig GDT1500, SUSE Linux, EEE-PC Linux Posts: 5,860	OK. I got my new 480W PSU and the PC still does nothing more than beep its head off, exactly the same as I described inthe first post. I have tried disconnecting all peripherals from the PSU so it isn't them. Even if the cheap PSU I bought isn't great it certainly should be able to power a damn motherboard! I fear something is seriously wrong. I am going to take the MB out and check that there is no sign of physical damage. I might even try running it outside the case. Can anybody suggest anything else I can try?

08-06-2007, 20:13	#22
ForestChav Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Gender: Male Location: Nottingham - Chavland :s Services: VM 10Mb, Sky+, WinHomeServer, Win7, N95, PSP, Squeezebox Duet LOSE THE GAME Posts: 22,751 Blog Entries: 8	If that's the case, then it could be the board. Check the caps aren't bulging, corroded or leaking their goo - which can come out of the top or the bottom of the cap. You might also want to do some things like reseating gfx, ram and CPU...