_____Shut down problem goes away..._____

[Blain]

I've got a HTPC set up connected to my 36" Sony Wega.
The PC has > 4000+ (stock 4 pipe HS), DFI SLI Infinity, X-Fi, MSI 7600GT, 500W Liberty, PVR-150, 74GB Raptor (OS), 320GB Seagate (storage), case is an Ultra Aluminus.

Here's the info. My PC would shut down at random. Not heat related, just very random shut dows, about once a day or day & 1/2. Pulling the side cover off, made not difference.

Two things I did...
1. Removed the door (easy to remove, didn't move or change anything in the PC).
2. Plugged my Sony TV into the same Tripp-Lite UPS as the PC.
The PC is plugged into the battery backup side, with the Sony plugged into only the surge protected side.
Before moving the Sony plug to the Tripp-Lite, it was plugged into the same wall outlet as the UPS.

It hasn't shut down since I did those two things. Any speculation?

[Turns out the UPS is going out]

 

[Slugbait]

If you replaced the door and it still works fine...

Could be you might have a fluctuating power grid, or the wiring in your house isn't configured optimally, or not enough amps in the junction box for that area of the house. Anyway, my guess is the UPS can't handle other heavy loads consuming your power...old battery or weak output?...and it's better that all the juice goes to the UPS and let it handle your components power consumption more evenly.

 

[Blain]

I had my house upgraded to a 200 AMP service just two years ago. The TV and PC are on a dedicated circuit just for them. There is only one outlet in the house that is on that circuit.

The TV isn't using the battery load at all. Like I said, it's going through the surge side of the UPS, not the battery side.
When the PC was shutting down, the TV was only plugged into the wall outlet with the Tripp-Lite being plugged into the other one. The Tripp-Lite isn't designed to carry a load as large as the TV on its battery circuit.

My other PC's in the house are fine.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: Blain
The TV isn't using the battery load at all. Like I said, it's going through the surge side of the UPS, not the battery side.

Yeah, I understood that part. Just saying the UPS may be handling the power consumption or distribution better, that's all.

You didn't mention how long you were running the previous power hook-up config before you started seeing this problem, so I'm just guessing out loud.

 

[Blain]

I was just in the living room when the system shut down. I heard the UPS beep (like no AC power), when it went down.
I had never been in the same room when that happened before...
Time for a fresh UPS or maybe line conditioner. :laugh:

 

[Slugbait]

Figures. My first guess was an old battery, but you didn't mention a beep...the beep is how I came to replace my 3-year-old APC two months ago.

You could also opt to just replace the battery, although the cost may be about the same after a sale or rebate or whatever.

 

[Blain]

The problem with replacing the battery is that, it may not fix it. The UPS beeped and shut off, even though the rest of the power in the house fine.
I'm thinking maybe some of the circuitry has developed a problem. It's extremely intermittent.

 

[zig3695]

i would think it still could be the battery. have you opened it up and taken a look at what type of battery it is? chances are radio shack has that replacement SLA for about $20. you could first take out the battery and load test it. run a little 12v light on it or something and see how long it holds. try charging it with car charger and see if she takes a charge.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Do you have your UPS connected to your PC via USB port? If so, there is a windows glitch I found that causes this to happen. Go to your power options, Alarms tab. Check where your sliders are. Now, try and move either of them a little, then let go. If it springs all the way to the right, and every time you try and move it the slider springs back to the right again, then hit cancel. Unplug the UPS USB cable from the PC and wait about a minute. Plug it back in. Now go back to the power options alarm tab, and drag the slider. It should stay where you put it.

I have this intermittent problem every so often. It is a glitch in the windows UPS management. Not sure what causes it, or why they haven't fixed it, but it happens. Speaking of which, I just checked mine and it is screwy again.... There, that's better

 

[Blain]

No USB/UPS connection. It's just "dumb" backup power.