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PC restarts on inserting DVD

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6 replies

by bibinraphael

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I have a computer of the following spec,

- Windows XP Professional Sp3
- Intel Pentium D 3Ghz
- 2 LG DVD writers GSA-H10N
- 200GB Seagate SATA HDD
- 250GB Seagate SATA HDD
- Floppy Drive
- Nvidia 6500 Graphics Card
- Gigabyte GA8I915p Duo Motherboard
- Mercury TV tuner Card

The problem i face is that when i Insert a DVD in any one of the drives the computer simply restarts without any blue screen,It started after i connected the 250GB HDD, i tried to check whether the problem is due to windows so i formated the hard drive and the problem started again when while installing windows and while copying the setup files. Later i connected an old Plextor Premium CDRW and both the HDDs the problem still exists, and then i plugged just the CDRW and one of the HDD,it worked and in all the above cases the tv tuner card and USB devices were connected. Seeing as this worked i connected one of the DVD writers and one of the HDD it didn't work, I tried upgrading the Firmware it dosent seem to work. It seems like a weak PSU, but i needed 2nd opinion.

6 replies

by thumbsup2

... but, you didn't list the size of the PSU. So, we don't know if it's weak or simply under powered considering everthing you have drawing power from it. That graphics card alone is going to draw a large amount of power. Then add 2 SATA's, 2 DVD writers, a TV tuner and who knows how many USB devices all drawing power, and you've got yourself the equivalent of a MAC Truck trying to run on one 12V battery. Even if the battery isn't weak, it simply can't supply enough power to keep it all going.

First, try unplugging all of the USB devices (except mouse and kb) as well as the TV tuner and one each of the DVD and HDD. See if the machine will run correctly when inserting a DVD. If it does, start adding internal periferals first, one at a time. If everything works fine, start plugging in the USB devices one at a time until you reach the point when the machine starts to do the reboot thing. Then, you know you need more power to run the USB devices. You can either buy a powered USB hub to provide power for those devices or buy a PSU with more capacity. If you never get to the point of being able to plug in any USB devices, you know for sure that you need to replace the PSU just to power the internal devices and a powered USB hub might not be a bad idea as well.

edited to add: As a side note, unplug one DVD and one HDD as well as the TV tuner and all non-critical USB devices while you're installing Windows. This is just to get you up and running with a clean, uninterupted install. You don't need power problems corrupting a clean install, or you'll suffer for it later.

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by mjd420nova

I've seen this fault many times. Andding another drive pushed the P/S to the limit and then just opening the CD/DVD drive door pushes it over the limit and the ubit shuts off. You didn;t list the specs on the power supply but by the rest of the list, a good 600 watt minimum unit is called for. Be sure you get one that says and AVERAGE rating of 600 watts, NOT PEAK power rating.

by Former member

Please post back if you have anymore problems or questions.

by bibinraphael

The power supply is 350W, I checked with an online PSU calculator it seemed fine there when i mentioned the specs. I have a USB Creative Webcam, Canon Laser Printer, ADSL Modem, and a USB 4 port hub.

by older mycroft

You should be looking to replace it with a 600W PSU, in order to cover your system for the present and the immediate future.

Where was this 'online PSU calculator' that you mentioned?

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