Computer wont boot, and randomly shuts down

[Vich]

Hello everyone,
Recently (past day) my computer will just get a black screen and nothing will happen, i cant hit reset button so i need to manually turn it off and then back on. At first it would boot now it wont, so i would hold the cpu down by the fan and it will boot, but then shut down after a couple minutes ( i wont be holding it). My computer has run fine for the past 2 years and i dont know whats going on.

Here are my specs.


ASUS A7V333
latest bios revision, PCB v 1.01
AMD XP 2100+
512mb DDR ram
Maxtor 50gb HD
GF2.
Windows XP SP1



Now i have no one around me to help fix it and since i work full time i really dont have time to do it myself at this moment, so if anyone could help me out it would be great.

I am thinking about getting it fixed by comp usa (last resort).

What do you think the problem is??

Thanks a bunch guys!

-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

What you're describing, where applying pressure to the heatsink helps keep the system running, hints at either a weak heatsink clip, or dried-out thermal material. What kind of heatsink & thermal material does it have now? For example, is it a stock retail AMD heatsink/fan unit that has a pre-applied thermal patch, or an aftermarket HS/F using a pre-applied patch, or thermal grease?

edit: also, is there a shim inbetween the CPU and the heatsink (yes = bad, generally)?

Also, what brand/model is your power supply (if you're not sure, the label should have some revealing info)?

 

[Vich]

Hi thanks for responding,
I have never had problems with this fan/heatsink before. Its a Thermaltake 6cu+ i put on thermal goop when i first installed it, and ever since fan speeds have been 7000rpm for 2 years straight no heat problem nothing... just recently it started doing this. Now once i hold it down and it boots ok but once i let go, asus probe tells me everything is fine, cpu fan speed is ok, temperature is ok, so i dont think its a weak heatsink clip or dried up paste because wouldnt the cpu overheat then i would get a warning from asus probe and then a shutdown?? I mean im confused here. Sorry for my bad english im typing quick because i hope you are still here!!
Thanks
-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

Thermal goop can dry out with age. Still got any left? The next thing I'd try is wiping off the residue of the old thermal goop using a cloth and some rubbing alchohol, reapply it, and see if it behaves now.

 

[Vich]

Ok so you think thats why my computer will just randomly shut down and sometimes wont boot??


Arg!
Thanks

-Rich

 

[Vich]

Ok just in i was trying to reply to this thread when why computer turned off and instead of just a blacks creen it was a blue screen that said if i remember clearly "Your computer was shut down before sustaining damage" or something along those lines... I dont quite remember but im sure someone on here will know what that message was.

During my lunch break ill head over to CompUSA and get some thermal goop and see if that helps.

Ok guys

Thanks a ton!

-Rich

 

[Vich]

I talked to someone from a local on-site repair store , i talked to him and he thinks it could possibly be a bad power supply....


My case is this one http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=772

Product Specification:
Dimension: 210x450x490mm(W,H,D)
Drive bays: 4x5.25",3x3.5",5x3.5" internal**
Fan: 4 x ball bearing fans included**
M/B type: ATX & pentium 4 (MAX SIZE: 12"x9.6")
Front USB: 2 ports (support USB 2.0)


Will this powersupply fit it?

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=282827&pfp=BROWSE


Pentium 4 and Athlon Compatible
Supports Fan Speed monitoring
Complies with ATX version 2.03 and ATX 12V version 1.1 spec
Dual Fans for extra cooling

Motherboards Supported: ATX
Input Current Type: AC (Alternating Current)
Power Rating: 500 W
Limited Warranty: 3 Months (90 days)



Thanks
-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

I'd get the Antec 400W unit instead of a generic anything, and they happen to have one at the same price Those will fit the Lian Li since they're ATX, although any unit with a bottom fan could potentially be tricky to get in without removing the top panel of the case or the bottom fan's grille, one or the other.

 

[Vich]

Hey thanks for responding!


So this should fit my case??

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=295942&pfp=BROWSE
And is this the one you were saying is difficult to install? I need it to be simple im not that good at installs.

Thanks

-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, that's the one. I don't own a Lian Li, but I believe that the official instructions show you dropping the PSU in from the top, with the top panel removed. I doubt you even need tools, since it's all thumbscrews. Go for it!

 

[Vich]

Ok im back i bought it and installed it. It installed ez not from the top but from the back. First boot was a corrupted MS-DOs screen i rebooted and now its fine. Woohoooo No crashes yet!


-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

Right on! Hopefully the gremlins saw the new power supply and scrammed

 

[Vich]

Well i bite my tongue now...

Was going fine now the same problem now it wont even boot... I dont know what is going on... I am bringing it to comp usa got no other choice :-/

 

[mechBgon]

Out of curiosity, is your RAM running at a 1:1 ratio with the CPU's frontside bus? yes = good, unless you have RAM that is only PC1600. Also, if you haven't tried it yet, refreshing the thermal grease would be a very quick and sensible thing to try. Two years is what I'd consider a long time for anything but the best thermal greases.

Frankly, I didn't like my A7V333-R very much, and I think the feeling was mutual :|

 

[Vich]

Hey thanks for responding!


Im running DDR RAM @ pc2700 (333mhz) 1 512mb stick. I took off the heatsink and refreshed the thermal grease still no booting, and sometimes it iwll boot ill get into the bios then it shuts down..

-Rich

 

[mechBgon]

I do recommend running your RAM synchronously with your CPU, meaning DDR266 speed instead of DDR333, but that's probably not the issue. All the same, it's simple to change, so if you have the time, you might pop into your BIOS and set the CPU/RAM ratio to 1:1

 

[Vich]

Ok problem fixed turns out i had a bad cpu!!!