My main home PC has recently stopped working properly. I turn it on, it goes through the POST, then reboots. Often it won't even finish the memory test before rebooting. I can't even get it to start loading WinXP!
Sometimes if I hit ESC (to bring up the boot menu) or DEL (to enter the BIOS setup) the menu/setup comes up, then a few seconds later it reboots.
The problem persisted with the video card and TV capture card removed, and disconnecting the HDD did not cause any improvement. So it must be either the motherboard, or the PSU.
I'm not sure exactly where to look on the motherboard for the model number etc. but it clearly says ASUS on the board. I'm assuming it's an Athlon XP machine, given the time period it was purchased.
The board has mainly Rubycon caps on it; a good manufacturer. None of the caps are bulged or spilling in any way. However, when turning it on, I often hear a 'hiss' from the area of the PSU, which disappears a few seconds later.
My sister commented that she got the machine going by leaving it rebooting like this for 15 minutes, then it started. But rebooting constantly for 15 minutes can't be good for it!
What do you think could be wrong with it?
Sometimes if I hit ESC (to bring up the boot menu) or DEL (to enter the BIOS setup) the menu/setup comes up, then a few seconds later it reboots.
The problem persisted with the video card and TV capture card removed, and disconnecting the HDD did not cause any improvement. So it must be either the motherboard, or the PSU.
I'm not sure exactly where to look on the motherboard for the model number etc. but it clearly says ASUS on the board. I'm assuming it's an Athlon XP machine, given the time period it was purchased.
The board has mainly Rubycon caps on it; a good manufacturer. None of the caps are bulged or spilling in any way. However, when turning it on, I often hear a 'hiss' from the area of the PSU, which disappears a few seconds later.
My sister commented that she got the machine going by leaving it rebooting like this for 15 minutes, then it started. But rebooting constantly for 15 minutes can't be good for it!
What do you think could be wrong with it?
) and heard the 'hissing' sound again. However, it appeared to be coming from the transformer rather than the capacitors - I assume it's just the transformer windings vibrating.
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