• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

computer shuts off: can't use for a few hrs

F

fatblueduck

Junior Member
Hi,

The problem I'm having is that my computer suddenly shuts off. If I try to restart right after shut down, the fans will begin to spin, but then they stop and there is no activity -the computer won't turn on.

If I wait a few hours, the computer is able to turn on. The Bios screen appears and the OS boots up.

Does anyone know what I should do?

specs:
mobo
  • - asus P5N32-SLI DELUXE
cpu
  • - Pentium 4
video
  • - evga nvidia geforce 7800+
power supply
  • - antec phantom 500
 
I am unfamiliar with the Phantom but do know it has a low speed 80mm fan inside.
If you have a high negative pressure case, it could stall cooling air flow through the PSU.

If the above might be true, remove the side panel and direct a small fan at the PSU.
If this solves the problem, increase case intake air flow.
Might want to be sure the PSU's low cfm fan is working.

...Galvanized
 
Fatblueduck,

It sounds like your CPU is overheating. You might want to check that your heatsink is seated properly on your CPU. If its not situated properly, this can lead to overheating. Also, you may want to consider adding another fan to your case to improve air flow as Galvanized suggested above.
 
I had a similar problem, and it was my power supply going bad. But I don't remember it spinning for a minute and then stopping. When it got hot, it just wouldn't turn on. Rob814 might be right about the CPU overheating. If you have access to another power supply, I'd try swapping them and see if that fixes it. If not, its probably your CPU. Then again, it could be something else. That's just what happened to me. Hope you get it fixed.
 
I vote power supply.

The CPU would cool down pretty quickly and work again, but a thermal trip in the PSU could take a long time to reset.

Could also be a faulty CPU fan. It might be failing intermittently. It would cause a sudden shutdown. That would cause the momentary spin up, too. If there is no/bad rpm signal from the CPU fan, the board will shut right down.
 
I've got a seasonic 400 w psu. The manual for the motherboard gives instruction to use minimum 500 w psu. Do you think I should try swapping them?

GalvanizedYankee
- opening the side and pointing a fan at the cpu or psu didn't help start the computer

Rob814
- I just checked the heatsink. It is fitting securely

LTC8K6
- Your logic really seems well applied to my problem. There is something about this that just 'feels' like a power supply problem. I've noticed that if I want the computer to start up again, turning on and off the power supply seems to prolong the wait before things will temporarily work again

- but, there is something else. Most of the time the heatsink and video card fans will not even _begin_ to start

Also,

This build has had a history of problem since I first built it in january.

first motherboard died
- thought it was a bad PSU and rma'd for replacement, which was sent promptly.
- took the computer to a pc store that tested the motherboard and found it dead
- replaced the dead intel mobo with current model asus mobo

second mobo died
- pc store replaced the mobo with a new one (same model)

third mobo seemed dead
- pc store ran tests on the hardware, and found everything worked as long as a different video card was used
- I rma'd my evga nforce video card and was promptly sent the new one that I am using now

My current problem (bad psu?)
- Everything ran without a problem for a few days using the current card

ARGHHH!!! I'm ready to rip my hair out! I've wasted way too much time, and money, and energy on this thing.
 
Power supply get my nood also. Infact I just had a service call yesterday for a customer that had a PC that was performing uncommanded shut-downs and was unable to restart immediatly after shutdowns. It usually had to sit for a bit. Power supply replacement fixed the problem.
 
Originally posted by: deathwalker
Power supply get my nood also. Infact I just had a service call yesterday for a customer that had a PC that was performing uncommanded shut-downs and was unable to restart immediatly after shutdowns. It usually had to sit for a bit. Power supply replacement fixed the problem.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top