Display flashes during boot, PVR150 keeps getting dropped

[tonyimp]

Hey everyone. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.
I am having problems with hardware.
During boot, before the OS starts to boot, my screen flashes. It is on for 5 seconds, then off for 5 seconds, then on for 5 seconds, then boots. This is not a huge problem because it boots and runs normally for the most part.
Sometimes, I lose the PVR150 card from my system during boot. The card is simply gone. I can re-install it, but I have to manually specify the driver. I even bought a HDHOMERUN to replace it because I thought the PVR150 had gone bad. Because I can still record with the PVR150 when it is found, I do not think the card is bad, so I may return or sell the HDHR.
Also, I know that one of the SATA connectors is bad. When a HD is connected though one of the MB connectors, the system will not boot and will instead hang.
I replaced the WD 500 GB drive recently under warranty because the 500 GB drive was running a full 5 DEG C higher than any other component in the box, even with case off, and a house fan blowing directly on all components. MB temp never really exceeded 50 deg C, so I don;t think anything is blown.

Anyone have any experience like this?
Thanks
Tony

I have a 939 MB (K8NGM2-NBP) with a lower end Athlon processor.
I have a PVR150 and a PVR150MCE installed.
I am running 512 MB of Ram, generic. This is barely enough for XP home.
2 SATA HDs, one for OS, the other for storage, an ext 350 GB USB drive a DVD writer, and an RF keyboard and an MCE remote.
The PS is a 500W Ultra brand PS. I think the PS is OK, because i installed the same setup using a 350W Antec and had similar complications. Plus temp is good for PS/.

[stustunz]

i have a pvr 500 that doesnt always start one tuner but no one else has ever had the same issue
mine is a bit different than your though it gets detected just doesnt start and i get error code 10
1.if you just keep restarting does it start then
2. if you turn the machine off for like 20 mins then back on does it start
3. if you remove it from the machine then back in does it start
4. if you swop slots does it make any difference
5.if you remove the other pvr 150 does that change anything?

[pBS]

sounds like the motherboard is going on you..
the fact that the sata connect doesn't work is a clue somethings been damaged on the board..which could affect the pvr150 and anything on the pci bus...

also, what kind of video card?

as for hd, lately i've been using hd coolers, fans that bolt directly to hd bottom..keeps it frigid.. <10$
really prolongs hd life and keeps system cooler

sounds kinda like you had a power zappage...
try all same stuff with diff mainboard...

[tonyimp]

Thanks for the heads up. I tend to agree. It is probably the MB, or just a SW thing in XP.

There is no video card. The MSI MB has on board 6150 graphics processing. It works quite nicely, even playing HD after you fix the Purevideo settings. CPU
I do not have a Spare MB to play with, but I am thinking of having MSI replace it under warranty anyway. The SATA connector connector is definitely not working, and that should be reason enough for them.

By the way, I bought a decent ($15) 120 MM fan. First time I used it, I had it blowing the wrong direction - HD and CPU temps were through the roof (45-50 C). After I made sure that both the PS and Case fan were both pulling air in, the temps dropped down into the mid 30s. Before I fixed it, the Case fan was blowing out the same air that the PSU was blowing in, and I was getting no air movement.