Help needed with PC switching itself off!

[Revo]

I have a slight problem with my PC switching itself off whilst I am running any intensive programs such as games. The PC won't go through the shutdown process but just switches off! I was wondering if anyone could provide any suggestions as to why this may be happening. My system spec is as follows:

- P4 2.8cGHz
- Abit AI7
- 1Gb Crucial PC3200
- Radeon 9800 Pro (CAT 4.2 driver)
- Win XP SP1a
- DirectX 9.0b

All of the components are at stock settings and my virus scanner (AVG) hasn't detected any viruses. The PC also switches itself off when I run 3dMark2001 which makes me wonder whether this is linked to some intensive graphics problem. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[superHARD]

So it only shuts down with graphic games?

 

[Revo]

At stock settings only in games but when I overclocked the system to around 3.2GHz it even switched itself off when I was running my virus scanner.

 

[myocardia]

It sounds to me like it's shutting down because of your processor's temp.

 

[pspada]

I concur ^. Try running the system with the cover off and a floor fan blowing in, if it works fine, cooling is your problem.

 

[Revo]

The thing is that most of the time it runs fine. For example I just ran 3dMark2001 twice with my virus scanner running and a host of other applications and it ran fine. However, I ran 3dmark2001 again on its own and the system just switched itself off right at the begining of the benchmark! So I don't know whether the problem can be attributed to high CPU temperatures. Could problems with the memory cause the PC to switch off abruptly?

 

[neutralizer]

Originally posted by: pspada
I concur ^. Try running the system with the cover off and a floor fan blowing in, if it works fine, cooling is your problem.

Try that.

Stock cooling probably isn't too good with the 3.2 GHz, especially on an Abit that overdetects the temperatures.

 

[Revo]

Well I'm running stock settings on everything at the moment and my PC still switches off when running graphics intensive app's like games and especially 3dmark2001.

 

[Soulkeeper]

what kinda psu are you using ??
maybe it isn't powerfull enough for that monster

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Soulkeeper
what kinda psu are you using ??
maybe it isn't powerfull enough for that monster

True, but if that were the case, he would have problems running 3dMock2k1 every single time he ran it, unless his psu is overhearting, which is possible but not likely. BTW, Revo, if you aren't going to take our advice to solve your problems, tell us again why you are asking for advice in the first place.

 

[kevman]

have you been able to run Memtet86 without problems?

 

[CdnAtWork]

i was having the same problem after adding another ram chip. some quick memtest runs and it showed a faulty chip. just replaced it and now all is good. Definately worth trying, even if it's just to exclude the possibility.

 

[Revo]

Myocardia I am taking your advice it's just that someone thought I was experiencing the problems because I had overclocked my system. The thing is when you run something like 3dMark2001 at stock settings and the system switches off right at the very begining of the benchmark I don't know if that can be attributed to high CPU temps as the CPU hasn't had enough time to reach such a high temp.

I've ran 4 passes of memtest86 and 1hr of Prime95 and did not get any errors so I don't know what could be the problem. Could it be a problem with the graphics card? Or maybe it's the RAM and memtest86 didn't pick up the problem? Anyone?

 

[Revo]

Anyone?