Epox 8K7A+: 4.459 V Power Line problem?

[BunnyStroker]

Hi guys,

I've been having poor system stability recently. In an attempt to solve this, I was installing updated mobo drivers from the Epox website. I also downloaded a program USDM (some sort of system monitor). Upon opening it, I get an alarm:

"The 4.459 V Power-Line has exceeded normal operating tolerance" and asking if I want to shutdown, restart, disable alarm, etc.

A click to the system tab shows my +5V reading at 4.435 V. This is fairly constant.

Is this a problem? Could this be causing the instability? Is there a fix?

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[jihiggs]

assuming this is correct it is a problem, more than likely your power supply is malfunctioning. if you had a multimeter you could check to make sure.

wpdclan.com cs game server - 69.12.5.119:27015

 

[lhgpoobaa]

Either the voltage regulation on the motherboard is shot or the PSU is putting out bad voltages.


<b>My Car comes with Hyper Threading enabled:
1970 General Motors Holden HT Kingswood Wagon
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Mr no integrity coward.</b>

 

[neveroldmilk]

I`m afraid it is a problem--serious one.If the power cann`t afford the need of the equipment,then the voltage will be low(5%-10% below the normal level is acceptable,more is dangerous).

 

[BunnyStroker]

...and I would test this by?

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

might be quite har deterimine what the cauze was...
though its more likely to be the PSU IMHO.
Downlaod motherboard monitor and keep an eye on your voltages. See how much they change dip or fluctuate when going from idle to full CPU load.

Big canges and low voltages is usually the sign of a weak or failing PSU.

<b>My Car comes with Hyper Threading enabled:
1970 General Motors Holden HT Kingswood Wagon
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>

 

[pIII_Man]

don't forget it could also be an inacurate hardware monitor...

I would think as long as the voltage is stable...it should not be a problem although it is a tad low...

If your mobo does not like it, it will become unstable...so IMHO if you are stable leave it...


Proud owner of DOS 3.3

 

[BunnyStroker]

Update:

Opened up my PC and unplugged the main power connector from the mother board.

I can see dark brown/black discoloration in the plastic connector thingy for some of the wires, notably 2 of the red ones which I believe are +5V?

I'm guessing my PSU got surged during a bad lightning storm ~1 month ago - but is this consistent with PC still running, but poorly?

I'm also guessing PSU needs replacement - what are odds mobo is still ok? Note that I have been running, just seeing low voltage (<4.5V on +5V) with bad instability.

I suppose I should also this time get a decent surge protector.

Thanks for input so far - thoughts?

<b>1.4 Ghz AMD T-Bird underclocked to 1 Ghz...just to be safe!</b>

 

[lhgpoobaa]

LOL now we know whats cauzing it.
Definately a fried PSU.
Also check the motherboard where the voltage regulation circutry is...
no damaged or discoloured bits are there?
Hopefully you have avoided motherboard damage.

And yes, surge protection (or better yet a UPS) is a great idea.

I have a UPS and its saved my system heaps of times.

<b>My Car comes with Hyper Threading enabled:
1970 General Motors Holden HT Kingswood Wagon
Regards,
Mr no integrity coward.</b>