Computer Shuts OFF Randomly

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September 7th, 2009, 04:18 PM
Iced_Nardo

Computer Shuts OFF Randomly

Hi guys thanks 4 the great website. Around a year ago I had an AMD Dual Core that started giving me some headaches. After months checking it without any solution I decide than to rip it apart and sell the components on ebay and buying a new one. From the original computer the only parts I have left are LG 22X BLACK IDE DUAL LAYER LIGHTSCRIBE DVDRW drive and Seagate Barracuda 7200.1 500GB 7200RPM S300 32MB.
I bought the new components as it follows:
AMD PhenomX4 9850 BLACK EDITION AM2+ 2.5GHz 4MB;
ASUS Silent Knight II CPU Cooler;
MSI AM2 AMD 790X DDR2 ATX Audio Lan;
OCZ Technology 2x2GB 240DIMM PC2-6400 Gold (I have 8gb now);
OCZ XTC Memory Cooler for DDR1, DDR2 + DDR3 OCZTXTCC;
Thermaltake Soprano Case;
850 Watt PSU;
Gigabyte Radeon 4850 512MB PCIE 2xDVI 625MHz/1.9GHz;
Edimax 802.11n draft 2.0 PCI wireless card;
Zalman ZM-MFC2 Digital Multi Fan Speed Controller;
AKASA Dual Fan HD Cooler. Guess what? Even replacing almost the whole shebang its still giving me a splitting headache. Somehow suddenly cuts off the power and I have to replace the Fuse on my power lead (and by the way the fuse its not dead can be re-used after a few hours) or I need to unplug all the power leads and plug them back on the power socket on the wall. The funny thing is that happen even on Vista's Safe Mode. I also tried buying new power leads and updating the BIOS. I've done all Vista's updates + anti-virus and nothing has been detected. My Zalman Monitor doesn't show anything overheating, temperatures around 43C for CPU, Motherboard, HD and VGA around 78C (I've checked on Ati's website and they say can run to up 105C). All this pc updates have been done phased and tested with individual components. eg: Old PSU than tested new PSU, old memory than new memory,... but the problem is still in there. I have Fan on all components (HD, Memory, VGA, CPU, Motherboard) the PSU show that I have another 250W available on my PSU (even playing the most powerful games on it there is plenty of Watts on my PSU still available). I tried all kinds of different softwares to detect if my computer has been hijacked without any success. Please guys bring a light to me because I'm getting desperate again!!! Regards.
September 7th, 2009, 05:05 PM
Midknyte

What do you mean by "power leads"? Is that a power cord?

Did you try a different outlet? Do you have a UPS?
September 8th, 2009, 09:51 AM
jdc2000

If the fuse is not actually blowing, then it sounds more like an overheating issue.
September 8th, 2009, 10:34 AM
Jim1

heat

Sounds like heat. AMD cpu's are fussy about that. Have you tried cleaning top of cpu and reapplying a good, quality paste (not to much, a dollop will do); make sure heat sink is making good contact. Feel around inside, stay away from fans, and check for hot spots, via chip, etc. Power supplies are always overrated, so take ratings with grain of salt. You've got a lot onboard pulling power. The fact that you're able to operate for a time, seems to me again, to indicate heat or overheating. Too, the fuse (household?), doesn't seem to be blowing, again, indicating that your system is the culprit. Sometimes, it's best to start at the beginning, and double check everything. Jim S
September 8th, 2009, 01:29 PM
photolady

Thought it could still be overheating, some place, AMD's don't heat as much as they used to Jim. Mine is similar to OP's computer and mine's running at 34C both cores.
September 10th, 2009, 12:17 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midknyte

What do you mean by "power leads"? Is that a power cord?

Did you try a different outlet? Do you have a UPS?

Yes a power cord, I also tried different outlets and same problem going on. About the UPS, nope, don't have one. Cheers.:)
September 10th, 2009, 12:20 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc2000

If the fuse is not actually blowing, then it sounds more like an overheating issue.

The whole shebang is connected to my Zalman Fan Monitoring System, none of the components are overheating. CPU 44C, Motherboard 35C, Memory 38C, HD 37C, Video Card 78C (Ati HD 4850 - Ati says can reach up to 105C without any problems). The system temperature is pretty stable, that's what's intriguing me.
September 10th, 2009, 12:25 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim1

Sounds like heat. AMD cpu's are fussy about that. Have you tried cleaning top of cpu and reapplying a good, quality paste (not to much, a dollop will do); make sure heat sink is making good contact. Feel around inside, stay away from fans, and check for hot spots, via chip, etc. Power supplies are always overrated, so take ratings with grain of salt. You've got a lot onboard pulling power. The fact that you're able to operate for a time, seems to me again, to indicate heat or overheating. Too, the fuse (household?), doesn't seem to be blowing, again, indicating that your system is the culprit. Sometimes, it's best to start at the beginning, and double check everything. Jim S

I've just dismantled the whole PC and put it back checking every single piece. My CPU cooler is a pretty good one Asus Silent Knight 2, temperatures never exceed 47C. Even when I'm playing most of the new games. All fans are running as normal with speeds around 3000rpm (I set up on my fan monitor system). I have changed address 3 times already and same problem is going on, I don't believe it is an outlet problem. About my PSU the monitor system shows there is more than 250W available. I also update the BIOS.
September 10th, 2009, 02:35 PM
Midknyte

Quote:

I have to replace the Fuse on my power lead (and by the way the fuse its not dead can be re-used after a few hours) or I need to unplug all the power leads and plug them back on the power socket on the wall.

I don't have fuses in my power cords, so that's a bit confusing. Where in the world are you?

I would invest in a UPS, especially if you are having power issues. It could be a problem with the house voltage.
September 10th, 2009, 03:19 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midknyte

I don't have fuses in my power cords, so that's a bit confusing. Where in the world are you?

I would invest in a UPS, especially if you are having power issues. It could be a problem with the house voltage.

I'm living in London and in here we got fuses everywhere. But the fuses are not located on the power cord, but the extension lead. The main connector that supplies electricity for the whole pc is plugged straight to my power socket on the wall (and by the way the socket also have a fuse in it). The only things that have been connected to an extension lead are Monitor, Speakers, Printer, External HD, etc.
Maybe I should buy a UPS to double check it, if the problem still goes on then I ship it back and ask for a refund!!! :)
September 10th, 2009, 03:23 PM
Iced_Nardo

If anyone has been going through the same problem as me, please, HELP ME OUT!!! I'M DESPERATE TO PLAY DECENT GAMES AGAIN!!!:eek:
September 10th, 2009, 03:32 PM
jdc2000

You need to find out why the system is powering off. There are several tests you can do:

1. Add a low wattage incandescent light to the same power setup you are using for the computer. Make sure it is connected to the same outlet AND extension cord or power strip that the computer is plugged into. Then, see what happens to the light when the computer powers off. If nothing happens, then you may have a power supply or motherboard problem.

2. Haul your entire computer setup to a completely different location in a different building, preferably in a different section of the local power grid, set it up and, and run it. Does the same issue still occur. If yes, you have a system issue, otherwise your home power is bad.

3. See if you can rent a power monitoring device that records the actual voltage and other power fluctuations.

4. Try using a UPS.
September 10th, 2009, 03:36 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iced_Nardo

I'm living in London and in here we got fuses everywhere. But the fuses are not located on the power cord, but the extension lead. The main connector that supplies electricity for the whole pc is plugged straight to my power socket on the wall (and by the way the socket also have a fuse in it). The only things that have been connected to an extension lead are Monitor, Speakers, Printer, External HD, etc.
Maybe I should buy a UPS to double check it, if the problem still goes on then I ship it back and ask for a refund!!! :)

Hi mate, about this UPS device, I have an 850 watts PSU do I need to buy an 850 watts UPS for it? Or anything around 300 to 600 watts should do? I have a vague memory that should be the same wattage or higher. Thanks.
September 10th, 2009, 04:57 PM
usil

Are you using a generic PSU?
September 10th, 2009, 07:49 PM
Midknyte

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iced_Nardo

Hi mate, about this UPS device, I have an 850 watts PSU do I need to buy an 850 watts UPS for it? Or anything around 300 to 600 watts should do? I have a vague memory that should be the same wattage or higher. Thanks.

No, that's how how UPS sizing works. It depends on how long you want the system to keep running also.
http://www.apc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm
September 11th, 2009, 02:14 AM
usil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iced_Nardo

Hi mate, about this UPS device, I have an 850 watts PSU do I need to buy an 850 watts UPS for it? Or anything around 300 to 600 watts should do? I have a vague memory that should be the same wattage or higher. Thanks.

UPS are measured in VA (Volt Ampere), not Watts.
September 11th, 2009, 02:56 AM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midknyte

No, that's how how UPS sizing works. It depends on how long you want the system to keep running also.
http://www.apc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm

Thanks a lot mate, as soon as I receive my UPS and test the system I will drop some comments. Cheers.
September 11th, 2009, 08:12 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by usil

Are you using a generic PSU?

nope, a thermaltake one.
September 12th, 2009, 05:11 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by usil

Are you using a generic PSU?

its a retail one that came brand new (850w), I bought as a replacement for a 450w. recently i bought a psu tester that will arrive in 2 to 5 business days. to be honest with you i don't believe that's the problem. what intrigues me is the fact that the same problem have been going since i started buying new components, the only original ones are dvd-rw drive and hard drive. quite weird, isn't it?
September 12th, 2009, 05:33 PM
usil

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iced_Nardo

nope, a thermaltake one.

OK, that's an important piece of information because generic PSU's don't give actual wattage info.
I'd do what some others have suggested, get a UPS to make sure that the computer isn't losing electricity, even for half a second.
September 28th, 2009, 06:17 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by usil

OK, that's an important piece of information because generic PSU's don't give actual wattage info.
I'd do what some others have suggested, get a UPS to make sure that the computer isn't losing electricity, even for half a second.

Hi there, regarding PSU/UPS I recently bought a UPS and even though the computer was cutting off. Funny thing that both my Desktop and Monitor were connected to the UPS but surprisingly only the Desktop lost power, the monitor kept working on. I also bought a Power Surge Protection Lead of 13A. I believe the problem might be my GPU overheating because I left the side of my desktop opened with a big Fan blowing cold air on it and when the power cut off all components were pretty chill apart of my Graphics Card (it was boiling hot, seriously). I sent it back to the Seller and once the item has been discontinued they said I will get it refunded. I am planning to buy the new HD5850 instead, but this time I will get it from BFG or XFX. Hopefully my problems will be solved with a new and cooler GPU. Fingers crossed guys!!!
September 28th, 2009, 08:11 PM
Midknyte

Be sure you plugged the system into the UPS socket with battery backup. Some UPSs have "surge only" and "battery backup" outlets. Surge only would be for stuff like printers.
October 5th, 2009, 02:53 PM
Iced_Nardo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midknyte

Be sure you plugged the system into the UPS socket with battery backup. Some UPSs have "surge only" and "battery backup" outlets. Surge only would be for stuff like printers.

My desktop is connected on the battery supply and the monitor on surge only but even though the computer cuts off. Recently I have sent my VGA back and getting a new HD4890 on its place. Hopefully this will stop.:eek:
October 11th, 2009, 03:18 PM
Iced_Nardo

Problem Solved

:) I have sent my old VGA for a replacement and got a 100% refund instead. I bought a new VGA XFX HD4890-XXX + a new Corsair PSU 750W, since then I had no more problems at all. I have been playing since Friday more than 23 hours (8 hours non stop) and the computer runs perfectly well!!! :D
October 11th, 2009, 03:21 PM
Iced_Nardo

THANKS EVERYONE 4 HELPING ME OUT!!!! :D
October 11th, 2009, 03:58 PM
jdc2000

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it is running OK now.
October 11th, 2009, 04:57 PM
usil

Glad to hear it works.

I'm curious, are you 100% certain that the computer would turn off? Is it possible that the monitor just went black but the computer was still on?
October 17th, 2009, 04:22 PM
Iced_Nardo

:D nah mate, i am a 100% sure the computer was going off during that time. everything stop working, hd, fans, etc. 1 of the 2 things, it was the vga overheating or a low quality psu. anyway i have been playing since fixed a zillion hours on all top games released (batman, wolf, re5, street fighter) and the computer runs fast like a bullet and no bugs!!! i could not be any happier than this!!! :) :) :D :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by usil

Glad to hear it works.

I'm curious, are you 100% certain that the computer would turn off? Is it possible that the monitor just went black but the computer was still on?
October 17th, 2009, 04:22 PM
Iced_Nardo

:Dthanks mate, that means a lot!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdc2000

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear it is running OK now.