New System Shutdown

Gero1369

Junior Member
May 23, 2007
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I built a new system and it was working fine for about an hour or two, then suddenly shut down. I restarted, then it worked for about 10 mins. Rinsed and repeated, then shut down after about 3 mins. Rinsed, repeated, shut down after 30 sec.

Let it sit for a while. Unplugged, turned off everything. Turned it back on. Worked for 2 min, then same thing.

I'm thinking it's a power supply issue. Everything is brand new.
 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,059
73
91
I agree that your power supply is the first place to look, but you should also check your CPU temp. For example, too much heatsink compound can impede thermal flow from the chip to the heatsink. Heatsink compound is intended to fill tiny gaps between the chip and the mating surface of the heatsink. You should always use the thinnest possible coating. More is not better.

If it's the power supply, the simple solution is to try another one. The least expensive way would be to borrow one. The second least expensive way would be to find a good deal on one. Frys.com has had a few specials for decent supplies that were free after rebate with free shipping. If you can't find one of those, here's Newegg's page for supplies rated for at 500 watts, sorted with lowest price first.

Of course, price isn't everything, and quality does matter so you should check the reviews for any supply you consider, but it'll give you some idea of what it'll cost you to replace it.

Good luck. :)
 

Gero1369

Junior Member
May 23, 2007
4
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It's a retail AMD CPU (square of thermal compound on the heatsink/fan). I did not apply additional paste. I was running it with the case open. The current power supply is a 300W, but it's only running the MoBo, 2 HDD, and a DVDRW (I even unplugged one HDD & DVDRW when testing), nothing else. I'm just getting ideas of what else the problem may be besides the PSU being basically DOA.

thanks!
 

Modular

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2005
5,027
67
91
I'll have to second that it's the PSU. What brand is it and what is the 12v amperage rating? My buddy built a computer using a cheap case that came with a PSU. A day after it was completed it started doing the reboot shuffle. PSU it was.
 

Gero1369

Junior Member
May 23, 2007
4
0
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Can't tell the CPU temps (no PSU for now). The PSU has +12V1 = 8.0A (on 20+4 pin MoBo power connector), -12V = 0.8A, +12V2 = 14A (on 4 pin MoBo connector)

I'm working on adding a different PSU for testing, but have much other stuff to do.

thanks!