Random Shut Down

[Rods]

Rather strange problem...

Computer has just recently started switching off (as if the plug has been pulled - no power to case but speakers, monitor, etc still on). I switch it off at the wall, then back on and it boots itself back up again. Doesn't happen every day...

It mostly happens during 3D games but it has happened once from desktop, but on that occasion it was a pixelated screen then a restart, not the usual power off.

Has not been any hardware or software changes to the computer, apart from the latest STEAM and VIA 4in1 updates.

It usually lasts about an hour without a crash. I've got a temperature monitor for my MB and CPU - they never get above 45º so you wouldn't think the Vid card is that much hotter. It doesn't seam like the usual symptoms for an overheating Vid card either apart from the one time there was a pixelated screen.

My PSU is 450W so unless it is faulty I don't think that is the problem.

Could this be a Video or MB overheating issue? Or is it more likely a power problem?

AMD Athlon 64 3000
ASUS K8V Deluxe
512 PC3200
Sapphire X800 Pro
80 GIG IDE
450W PSU
XP PRO SP1

 

[amdskip]

What brand is your power supply? I've got $10 on it being your problem. I would rather have a quality 350w power supply over a generic 500w power supply. What is the amp rating on the +12v line (look at the label).

 

[samuch]

I'd say it's the power supply as well. If you bought a cheap power supply they sometimes have too large a span of power fluctuation. As the video card will require a larger amount of power that would explain the problem when playing games (although power to video might be consistent).

Also check to make sure your memory has not gone bad as games will require more memory usage and may access bad parts of your memory.

Last but not least, make sure your processor is not overheating. As a safety mechanism, your motherboard may be telling the computer to shut down.

 

[forumJunkie]

yup definitely sounds like the power supply

 

[Rods]

Well it is a cheap case, $80 SHAW

I'll check what brand the PSU is tonight (I'm writing this from work)

When it is hot the Fan on my CPU and GPU speed up and get quite loud, I'm thinking maybe the increase power usage is causing the shutdown - is this possible?

Only other PSU I've got to test this with is a 250W AOPEN - that probably wouldn't power my rig !?

Looks like I'll have to buy a decent PSU, or case, or both

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Gravity]

I'd consider heat as the culprit. PSU of that magnitude can certainly suc but I don't know that it would be the prob.

Can you borrow a psu to rule it out?

Antec makes stable psu's as does seasonic or zalmon.

If it's not the psu than I'm thinkin you have a heat issue. Heck, for that matter, your psu may be overheating. Try running your case with no side panel and a small desk fan blowing into the guts and see if you get the same result.

Best,

 

[Rods]

ok, the brand of the PSU is SHAW also, so not a very good brand obviously

My comp was running fine last night for at least an hour then during a game I got another shutdown.

This time it would not restart until I unplugged two new system fans which i just installed and my cdrom

Def sounds like PSU no?

 

[Rods]

Ok, it crashed again last night but this time I have not been able to restart, regardless of how much stuff I unplug.

I can see the MB LED is on, and when I turn the power on at the wall I can see the PSU fan try to start and turn and hear it try to kick over, but then it dies.

It must be PSU or MOBO but which one!!! Don't want to spend $120 on a PSU only to find out my MB is screwed!

Am going to try it tonight with a 250W PSU I have but that might not be able to power it anyway.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[montag451]

try it with the 250w, but disconnect everything that isnt essential, ie any cd/dvd,floppy, peripherals.
Just see if it works, then if it does, you know it is the psu, unless that psu isnt powerful enough to run your present system, which it might not be

 

[Home Built]

I arrived at and joined this site 11 days ago with the same problem with a computer I had just put together. Even though the PSU was new that came with the new case, I was still advised by the members at this site to swap out the PSU with a good quality unit.
Guess what? They were right! I swapped in an Enermax PSU from another machine and it's been running perfect with no restarts for 11 days now.

What's really strange is I installed the bad PSU, that I had pulled out, into my other machine and it also has been running with no shut downs.

I guess that it is possible that even the slightest variations in voltage/amperage in the newer (cheaper) PSU might affect the operation of one MB and not another.

In any event I ordered a new Fortron PSU.

 

[Rods]

ok, I tried booting my machine yesterday with just 1 hd, no system fans etc - the bare minimum

It would not start.

I'll try again with the other PSU tonight, if that does work that pretty much rules out the MB doesn't it?

 

[montag451]

Sometimes, it is better to spend another 10 to 15% and get certain parts from a amall local shop. One, that keeps them in business, against the giants that employ chimps, and Two, if it does go wrong, you can easily get a replacement, or get that part tested.

I know that it is tempting to go for the cheapest on the net [I still do it sometimes], but maybe 10%of the stuff I have had to return, and that is a complete pain in the arse. Especially if it is for a client. So, i end up going to a local shop and paying over the net price anyway.
Some PSU's are hard to get at local shops, as some of the crapper shops tend to think that people want a bargain rather than quality, But it is worth a look anyway

 

[Rods]

Well I tested with the other PSU last night and it booted.

Therefore I'm going to pick up a 480W Antec this afternoon.

I'll post a follow up tomorrow peoples, I'll either be sailing smoothly through Counter-Strike at 150fps or smashing my MB to pieces with a hammer...

 

[Rods]

Well installed the new PSU last night, and the whole system is running like a gem!