Computer shut downs

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12-20-2007, 11:21 PM
Majik

Computer shut downs

I am having an issue just recently. My computer will shut down completely, not reboot without warning. I noticed it was when I was doing something somewhat intensive. Trying to play some HD video while other windows were open. Trying to open a program while processes were being started right after booting. Stuff like that, however it doesnt happen everytime I do these things. And sometimes altough not as often it just turns off, like once before windows loaded. Virus scan was clean, cpu and case temps look good, voltages are all in the good range. I replaced the PSU today and thought that might be it. No dice, it is better buy still doing it somewhat. So I am thinking I have a stick of RAM going bad. What are your thoughts?
12-21-2007, 06:34 AM
jrj512

I'm thinking memory. It might have just come unseated. We had the same problem with the ::Curls::'s laptop -- I just had to reseat the memory and she was back to surfin' porn.
12-21-2007, 08:27 AM
Mathews2004

try the RAM or Fans

put it in a dark closet for a couple days then pull it out and try it. that will teach it a lesson!
12-21-2007, 08:28 AM
tailchaser

Had this happen to an employee's home PC... In their case, the power switch had failed. My resolution? I removed the modular power switch, and set the PC to turn on upon application of power in BIOS. No more phantom power downs!
12-21-2007, 09:03 AM
TurboDuane

Since you've already replaced the power supply, I would think over-heating, although you say the temps are fine. I'd re-seat everything. It could be a short in a power cable within the system. If you've got some spare power plugs in the computer, swap those out on the h/d, c/d, and floppy, or unplug the non-essential drives and see if the proplem persist.

Any device (drive, printer, cd, scanner, etc.) can cause this, if they or thier cables have a minor short.
12-21-2007, 09:22 AM
Majik

All of the fans are good. The northbridge fan makes a little noise on a cold boot, but a google search says that is a problem with this board. It is spinning fine though. I did reseat the ram, one looked like it had popped out, but fixing that didnt cure the problem.

TC I think you might be on to something. The switch works fine, but when it was shutting down before I hade to unplug the computer for a few seconds before it would respond to me hitting the power switch. The couple of times it has done it with the new power supply the switch now works immediately. Maybe it is something there.

Duane, Ill unplug everything, although now everything in the case has a new power cable, since it has a new PSU. I'll unplug the printer and see if that solves it, because now that is the only non essential thing.
12-21-2007, 06:05 PM
MX-5EE

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majik

I am having an issue just recently. My computer will shut down completely, not reboot without warning. I noticed it was when I was doing something somewhat intensive. Trying to play some HD video while other windows were open. Trying to open a program while processes were being started right after booting. Stuff like that, however it doesnt happen everytime I do these things. And sometimes altough not as often it just turns off, like once before windows loaded. Virus scan was clean, cpu and case temps look good, voltages are all in the good range. I replaced the PSU today and thought that might be it. No dice, it is better buy still doing it somewhat. So I am thinking I have a stick of RAM going bad. What are your thoughts?

Same here, whenever something mysterious, random, inexplicable, and stupid starts to go wrong with your computer, blame the PSU first :)

Had a computer do some funky stuff to me at work this week. New PSU, problem gone. Unfortunately for your problem I can't contribute more to your problem than has already been said. I too suspect overheat somewhere.