Sudden Shutdown!

[J1600B]

Hi all,

I just upgraded my computer a few weeks ago, and last week I picked up an acrylic case by Sunbeam. That same day, the computer started crashing strangely. It would just shut off suddenly; all fans, hdd's, cold cathode, dvd/cd rom, everything but the power light on the front of the case shut off. After doing some research on the net, it seems that all devices that run on the 12V rail were failing. I disconnected 3 case fans, and that seemed to limit the crashing somewhat, so I just ordered a new PSU yesterday. I just wanted to get some input if anyone has seen this problem before or has any ideas.

My current PSU is generic 400W, with 3.3V@28A, 5V@40A, 12V@14A. I found some info on the web about max power consumption and it seems that I'm drawing at or around 14A on the 12V. I ordered an Antec True430 that supports 12V@20A and hopefully this problem will dissappear.

Below is my system spec for anyone who might be able to confirm or deny my PSU idea.

Thanks.

5 x QuadLED 80 mm fans
1 x 3Color cold cathode
3 x Western Digital HDD 100GB,120GB,200GB
1 x LiteOn 16xDVD
1 x Toshiba SD-R5002
1 x Floppy
1 x EPOX 8RDA+
2 x Kingston HyperX 256MB Cas 2-2-2-5-1T
1 x Tt Volcano 7+ running @ 6k RPM constantly
1 x 40 mm fan on MoBo lead
1 x XP 2500+ @ 2800+(12.5x166)
1 x GF4 Ti4200 128MB
1 x PCI Lan
1 x PCI ATA100 card
1 x PCI Dazzle DVC II

 

[thraxes]

Well it does sound like the PSU especially since you have a well built up system. Wait till you get the Antec, that should sort it out.

BTW welcome to AT

 

[snidy1]

Probably power supply

 

[mechBgon]

The other thing that could cause an abrupt power-down is if the CPU overheats. Check two things:

• Look at the underside of your heatsink and hey, it has a step cut into one end. The step is there to provide clearance over the solid-plastic end of the CPU socket, which is at the top end on your 8RDA+. If that's the situation, reverse your heatsink so the step is at the top.
• Because the Volcano 7+ comes in disassembled form, it's possible to put the clip into the heatsink backwards (it's asymmetrical too). The long leg of the clip with the screwdriver receptacle should be towards the top of the motherboard. If it isn't, the clip's pressure point will not be over the CPU core, resulting in poor thermal transfer. If that's the case, reinstall the clip in the correct direction.

Good luck, sounds like an interesting rig you've got there! Got any pics?

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
The other thing that could cause an abrupt power-down is if the CPU overheats. Check two things:

• Look at the underside of your heatsink and hey, it has a step cut into one end. The step is there to provide clearance over the solid-plastic end of the CPU socket, which is at the top end on your 8RDA+. If that's the situation, reverse your heatsink so the step is at the top.
• Because the Volcano 7+ comes in disassembled form, it's possible to put the clip into the heatsink backwards (it's asymmetrical too). The long leg of the clip with the screwdriver receptacle should be towards the top of the motherboard. If it isn't, the clip's pressure point will not be over the CPU core, resulting in poor thermal transfer. If that's the case, reinstall the clip in the correct direction.

Good luck, sounds like an interesting rig you've got there! Got any pics?

It could be heat, but like the others said, thats a hell of system you have going, unplug all 5 of those fans for a bit and see if it crashes on you...

 

[bjc112]

BTW!

November 2002 and your ONLY ON YOUR 5th post!!

WTG man !

 

[J1600B]

First of all, I don't have many posts because I am a DVD junky and thats usually where I spend all my time. Until recently when I decided I wanted to upgrade some hardware of course . I have been going to Anandtech for a long time to check out hardware reviews etc but for some reason I thought the forum was small. I must have gotten it mixed up with another.

@ mechBgon - The heatsink is on correctly. It is just as you said, and I remember making sure the parts lined up before installing. It was on my old 1600+ and had an indent of the die so I buffed it out before applying some thermal paste. The temps say 104 CPU/96 System now. Before I disconnected 3 of the case fans it was at 80 System and lower CPU temp also. I really appreciate the advice and I sure hope it is the PSU.

BTW, I do have pics... I don't have a homepage, but I'll set the PC page to home. I had to lower the quality of the pics to fit them in my 25 MB space, and it's still a high bandwidth only view unless you have all day to waste Don't be discouraged by the wacky looking thumbnails... they didn't keep the correct aspect ratio :Q

edit: @ bjc112 - I would disconnect the other fans but it has only crashed a few times since disconnecting the other 2 and I'm too lazy to open it up again until I get the new PSU. (hopefully in a couple days)

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jamesburley3/

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: J1600B
First of all, I don't have many posts because I am a DVD junky and thats usually where I spend all my time. Until recently when I decided I wanted to upgrade some hardware of course . I have been going to Anandtech for a long time to check out hardware reviews etc but for some reason I thought the forum was small. I must have gotten it mixed up with another.

@ mechBgon - The heatsink is on correctly. It is just as you said, and I remember making sure the parts lined up before installing. It was on my old 1600+ and had an indent of the die so I buffed it out before applying some thermal paste. The temps say 104 CPU/96 System now. Before I disconnected 3 of the case fans it was at 80 System and lower CPU temp also. I really appreciate the advice and I sure hope it is the PSU.

BTW, I do have pics... I don't have a homepage, but I'll set the PC page to home. I had to lower the quality of the pics to fit them in my 25 MB space, and it's still a high bandwidth only view unless you have all day to waste Don't be discouraged by the wacky looking thumbnails... they didn't keep the correct aspect ratio :Q

edit: @ bjc112 - I would disconnect the other fans but it has only crashed a few times since disconnecting the other 2 and I'm too lazy to open it up again until I get the new PSU. (hopefully in a couple days)

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jamesburley3/

Ohhhhhh come on!

Whip that case open and unplug a few fans.. Just to see..

 

[J1600B]

Oh crap! I replaced the PSU yesterday with an Antec TRUE430. Tonight it crashed again. The computer wasn't even being used at that second and it shut itself off. No re-boot. Just shut off. The keyboard lights and the power light stayed on. Anyone got any ideas? Here's a couple questions to make it easy...

1. If the CPU crashes, will it still show a picture on the monitor?
2. If the motherboard crashes would it still leave the keyboard/front power lights on?
3. If Windows was to crash, wouldn't it reboot itself?
4. Why could it possibly shut down and still have keyboard/front power lights on?

I don't think this is just instability. I ran Prime95 for about 3 hours last week and it was solid. Had MemTest86 on for over 8 hours and no errors.

Help!

EDIT: After it shuts down, I have the press the power button for 4 seconds to "shut it off" before it will turn back on. Which shows that the computer (motherboard) isn't all the way off, but no video, no fans, no CPU fan, no drives are on.

 

[J1600B]

Originally posted by: J1600B
Oh crap! I replaced the PSU yesterday with an Antec TRUE430. Tonight it crashed again. The computer wasn't even being used at that second and it shut itself off. No re-boot. Just shut off. The keyboard lights and the power light stayed on. Anyone got any ideas? Here's a couple questions to make it easy...

1. If the CPU crashes, will it still show a picture on the monitor?
2. If the motherboard crashes would it still leave the keyboard/front power lights on?
3. If Windows was to crash, wouldn't it reboot itself?
4. Why could it possibly shut down and still have keyboard/front power lights on?

I don't think this is just instability. I ran Prime95 for about 3 hours last week and it was solid. Had MemTest86 on for over 8 hours and no errors.

Help!

EDIT: After it shuts down, I have the press the power button for 4 seconds to "shut it off" before it will turn back on. Which shows that the computer (motherboard) isn't all the way off, but no video, no fans, no CPU fan, no drives are on.

BuMp