Do the connectors on a mobo need to be earthed ?

[Raph]

Hi !

I would like to know if the connectors on a motherboard (like PS/2 keyboar and mouse connectors, USB, etc), need to be earthed, i.e. have their outside shell connected to the casing of the PC ?

If yes, can this explain crashes if they are not earthed properly ?

Thanks.

[Randy_tx]

If "earthed" equates to "grounded".....they already ARE! You crashing is not related to that specifically.....if your motherboard wasnt grounded correctly, it wouldnt even start up at all. Tell us more about what your crashes are like and what Operating System you are using and I bet someone can help you.

------------------
"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[Raph]

Thanks Randy_tx. Well, I am using Win 98 SE. My mobo is a MSI K7 Pro, and my CPU an AMD 650 Mhz. Video is Sis 6326, Sound is ALS 4000, modem is Motorola SM56.

My crashes occur only home, never in the repair shop (and I have personaly witnessed that). By crash, I mean, the screen freezes, there is no answer at all from both mouse and keyboard. Moreover, the restart button has no effect in properly restarting the system (the machine cannot go beyond the memory count test, after what it writes "Wait", and I can wait for hours).

I thought that my house power supply was faulty, but I have used 2 different PCs in my house without any crash.

I also changed the power supply unit in my PC, to no avail.

This is a mad, very mad, extremely mad problem. The situation has not eveloved for 9 months !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HEEEEEEEEEEELPPPP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Reid]

I just got my MSI K7T Pro2-A with a Thunderbird 850 to stop freezing today. It was only infrequently with browsing and most programs, but would lock within one minute, if not immediately, with any 3D gaming. I had mistakenly installed a borderline PC100 DIMM along with a good PC133 DIMM. Everything is running fine with the PC100 pulled out.

If you have more than one DIMM, run with one at a time to see if one might be marginal, and buy quality PC133 if you need to buy some.

------------------
reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[Reid]

Another thing, have you checked the CPU temperature? Is the repair shop cooler than where the computer is used at home?

------------------
reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[Reid]

Raph, I forgot that the above things were discussed in a previous post, after which you suspected problems with the keyboard/mouse PS/2 connectors. It is hard to follow multiple posts about the same problem.

I think your board would accept PC100 or PC133, as mine does, but the speed needs to be set in BIOS. The PC100 I had trouble with would run on another board, but only if set to 95MHz or slower.

------------------
reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 02-23-2001).]

[Randy_tx]

As Reid suggests, this is a problem which will take "trial and error" to determine.......and I would also start with the RAM as a possible culprit. If your CPU is running @ higher than 150 degrees (you can find out in the BIOS under a heading called "System Health" or something like that, then heating could be the problem, but I really doubt that's what it is. It is most likely to be a Ram or Device Driver issue.

------------------
"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[Paleo Pete]

Well, I don't have any answers, but after reading through this thread about 5 times I don't think it's RAM or driver problem, due to the fact that it will work in another location, but not at home.

Have you tried it at a friend's house just out of curiosity? I'm wondering about either heat or power line/voltage conditions. Might be worth a try to run it with the case open and a small fan blowing inside. Especially if it's in an enclosed area, with insufficient ventilation. (The computer desks at [Retail Outlet Name Here] come to mind, small enclosed cabinet at bottom with a small 2" slot for cables and a closed door...)

Have the electric company check to see if your power lines could be delivering exceptionally low or high voltage. If you have a multimeter and KNOW how to use it, you can check yourself, but ONLY if you do know what you're doing. Usually 100~117V is normal. Also check to be sure it is actually grounded.

Electromagnetic problem maybe? TV close, wires jumbled together, something of that nature?

Aliens from Zandar shooting it with yamma ray guns? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[Randy_tx]

Well.......since you have successfully run two other computers at your house, the chances of it being your home current begin to diminish; however, this processor is more current demanding than your previous machines....ahhhhhh....Do you have it connected to a surge protector??? If so, take it off the protector and plug it straight into the wall socket...then let us know what happened. Often times a failing surge protector will cause this type of problem http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[Randy_tx]

Otherwise.........Zandar Aliens are lookin better all the time http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
"As hard as a rock & dumb as a brick"...Windows CEMeNT

[Raph]

Thanks everybody for the ideas !

Well, my machine is in a normally hot environment, with normal ventilation, etc.

I live in an outlet within a 250 flat, 12 floor, building.

I have tried to run the machine in the flat of my next door neighbor, and it crashed in the same manner (using the same cables, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc). I will try in a different flat or house.

I don't use any stabilized power supply or surge protector at the moment, just a direct connection to the wall socket.

If it's a power supply problem, what do you suggest me to get as a regulator ? Are surge protector enough ? Or UPS ?

Thanks !