OT: Power Supplies

[John Summerfield]

On Friday 19 November 2004 23:00, RoboticGolem wrote:
> Well ok, here goes.  I recently did a post about X quiting out with a
> sig11 a lot.  Its usually about once or twice a week but the other day
> it did it like 3 times in a row.  The only responce I got was that it
> could be bad ram.  So I ran memtest on the machine.  Nothin, I have
> registered ECC ram (required for my board) I've pulled the sound card,
> no effect.  I havent had a spontaneous reboot since I got the new
> video card.  Which gives me the same effect weather I use the
> comercial nvidia drivers or the open source nv drivers.  I dont seem
> to have the same problem in windows, but I run windows about as much
> as I run in the street.  The only thing I've come up with is that its
> either the power supply, or I need to get some sort of line
> conditioner for the plug its pluged into.  I have a beautiful surge
> protector, but I guess that wouldnt stop drops in the power level.
> Thanks for all your help.

How hot is it?
  Are you using lmsensors?
  Are you using smartmontools (see smartmontools.sf.net) smartmontools is very 
edicational and should be on everyone's computer.
  Did you run memtest86 long enouhg? if the problem can take days to occur, a 
20 minute run might not be enough.
  Do you have enough fans?
  Are your cables impedeing air flow? If you have a lot of ATA devices try 
skinny cables.

Try underclocking the processors?
If you still think it's thje mains supply, ask your supplyer can it be tested? 
When are the peak loads in your area? I was shown graphs of the mains voltage 
for Busselton in 1965 (it was over-voltage).

You could also consider a UPS which will add value an electrician won't, but 
if the mains supply isn't the problem then it won't fix the problem.



-- 
Cheers
John