What is a good spec pc for trading

[Dublin_Flyer]

I had the same CPU on my last homebuilt pc. The power supply wasn't strong enough for the amount of extras I was adding on and I kept blowing graphics cards until I got a new higher wattage power supply. If you have any spares, try a different graphics card. If the computer is starting up ok and no display then I'd definitely be looking at a different graphics card or trying HDMI out to a tv to use as monitor if it's available on the mainboard.

[JollyGreen]

I've removed the fan and re-seated the processor before putting back the fan of which has a push fit fitting and have removed each stick of ram whilst trying the other but unfortunately to no difference in outcome.

The processor is an Intel core2 Q6600 Quad

Do you have built in graphics or a dedicated card? When it boots do you see anything (BIOS name?) Or is just totally dead? Does the light on your monitor change - orange to green usually - or is that basically dead?

My concern would be the BIOS may have defaulted to onboard graphics and you are connecting to a dedicated graphics card.

[walshy]

I upgraded the graphics card to a Radeon 6450 a couple of years ago when i wanted a second monitor and its been running fine ever since.

The power supply is the same one the machine came with when new and I've had no issues with it so far.the processor is the original one.

When i switch the computer on I see nothing, no Bios info. The light on the monitors stays orange.

I've tried connecting one of the monitors to both the new card and the default connection and all that happens is the light on the screen go's blue for a couple of seconds then I get a message saying the screen is going into sleep mode and the light go's orange again.

This happens with both connections

[JollyGreen]

When these things occur it is a process of elimination.

If the fans are turning then the PSU should be okay. Admittedly the voltage may be dropping under load so it cannot power the full system, hence the fans turning and creating the impression the PSU is okay.

For now let's assume the PSU is okay, remove the Radeon card. connect to the onboard graphics and let me if anything changes.

[walshy]

Ive done that Dave, but unfortunately no change.

[JollyGreen]

Ive done that Dave, but unfortunately no change.

Out of interest have you tried different monitors? I have seen this where number 1 monitor is dead! You can test them by connecting to a laptop graphics output.

[walshy]

Just tried that and monitor working fine,

Is this likely to be a fixable issue do you think or is it time to just give up the ghost and get a new one?

[JollyGreen]

Just tried that and monitor working fine,

Is this likely to be a fixable issue do you think or is it time to just give up the ghost and get a new one?

It can be fixed but it is a question of time and resources.

From my experience, it is unlikely to be the CPU. I have never seen a CPU fail; yes, of course they do but you have to cook them or drop them or crush them in their socket.

We seem to have eliminated the RAM (how many sticks?) And the graphics card.

The next likely culprit is the PSU as mentioned by Dublin Flyer. It may be providing enough power for the fans but not enough for the PC in general. Do you have one you can try?

Last would be the motherboard but again these do not fail that often unless you cook them.

Can you describe the symptoms when this started to play up?

[walshy]

The main issue was the CPU running to 100%.

There are 2 sticks of Ram a 1GB and a 2GB.

I think I may have a PSU in the garage I'll dig it out and try it, but is it likely to fail just by changing a fan?

When I changed the fan I had to completely take out the motherboard to remove a back plate from the previous fan as the new one wouldn't fit in the holes otherwise.

This was stuck on so maybe I have done some damage accidentally in the process, although I thought I'd been pretty careful.

I really appreciate yourself and Dublin Flyer taking the time to help here, unfortunately I'm not as tech savvy as I should be

[walshy]

Need a bit more advice if possible, would a dual core pentium G3420 3.2 GHz with 4 GB of ram be sufficient to run Bet Angel , stream Betfair live video and have a few pages of chrome open for a days trading with no problems?

[JollyGreen]

Need a bit more advice if possible, would a dual core pentium G3420 3.2 GHz with 4 GB of ram be sufficient to run Bet Angel , stream Betfair live video and have a few pages of chrome open for a days trading with no problems?

Yes mate no problem!

[gutuami]

When i switch the computer on I see nothing, no Bios info. The light on the monitors stays orange

Try to clear the CMOS (reset all bios data to defaults) by shorting the "CLEAR CMOS" jumper on your motherboard. These jumpers are usually located near the BIOS chip itself or near the CMOS battery. Or take the battery out for a minute or so. Sometimes it helps.

[walshy]

Thanks gutuami, I'll give that a go. I'm at the stage now where I'll try anything.

Thanks again for all the advice.