Solve : Computer keeps shutting down...?

1.	Solve : Computer keeps shutting down...?
Answer» Hi. I'll try to be as descriptive as possible. I have a custom built computer, some of which I have upgraded through time by myself...at least the simple parts. However, I have a problem as of late. My computer will sometimes just shut down. Not turn off, but shut down in such a way that it is no longer processing I guess. The monitor turns off, even though the computer sounds to be running, it isn't. I know this because when i run a game on my two COMPUTERS, it shows that the character on the failing computer logs out. At first I figured it to be a powersupply issue...and this is why. I was having a graphical error problem on my 9800 gx2 card that would cause the comp to hang. I sent it in and received a replacement. It had run hot for a long while, and only recently before its errors I heard of a program EVGA made to correct it allowing me to increase the fan speed of the card. Anyway, new card in hand, I had the same problem...and thats when I found that one of the 6prong rail on the powersupply was dead. It would just cause the computer to crash, staying powered on, but turning the monitor off. So, I replaced the powersupply with not only a new one, but upgraded from a 750 to an 850. Anyway, even now it still continues to do so. So, the tests I have performed are the following: 1. Swapped another videocard in, still happens. 2. Ran Memtest86 a few times, no errors. 3. Watched temps inside the case, on the cpu, the gpu, all of which as in nice temps. 4. It happens whether in or out of gaming. I really don't know much of what else to test so I would love a little help. My system is: 3ghz core 2 duo E6850 4 gb Ram (4 modules) (yes i know xp uses only 3gb) evga geforce GTX 285 video card (under load 49 to 52 C temps) 850 modulated powersupply Windows XP sp3 500gb HARD drive P6N SLI Platinum Motherboard Quote Not turn off, but shut down in such a way that it is no longer processing I guess. Do the caps key and mun lock still work? If so, the thing is running.I'll check in the morning and see if it does. I'm assuming all you are interested is if the keyboard light changes from on/off on num lock and caps. Even if they do I'm not sure still why the monitor shuts down and the computer is unreaponsive. Sound shuts off if music was playing. I even have an app running in the background that let's me access the comp with my laptop and it also cannot connect when it happens so I've only assumed the comp has hanged. If the CPU is frozen in a loop, the CAPS and MUN don't work. It is thee CPU that responds to the toggle. Most likely you have a problem with a screen saver. Or the VGA is on the way out. Next time it does that , bang on the windows LOGO key. That should bring up the START menu. Ok. It did it again and the caps key and the numberlock keys do not respond. So I'm guessing the CPU is freezing in a loop. Not sure what that means. I did want to state I don't use a screen saver because when I'm not using my computer, I turn it off. I have very few items running in my system tray as well. Usually just temperature monitoring software, speaker icons, and occassionally FRAPS. What are the Temps ? ? Quote from: takean on March 18, 2010, 11:01:32 PM Ok. It did it again and the caps key and the numberlock keys do not respond. That means the CPU is locked in a tight loop or has come to a stop. That can be internal overhearing, defective memory, defective BIOS or failure of other motherboard components. The only thing you can do is try to re seat the CPU and check to see if the thermal paste was placed correctly. Would not recommend a FLASH of the BIOS. That has to be the last resort. Wait, we have to make sure this is NOT a software problem. You need to boot the system with another OS, line a Live Linux and let it run for an hour.. Hmmmm. Never have tried doing a dual boot before. Any guides you might recommend for me on installing Linux on the same hard drive? Quote from: patio on March 19, 2010, 09:36:44 AM What are the Temps ? ? temps while running prime95 are around 50C. Mostly around 47 to 49c.No, do no install a dual boot. Do you have anything there that boots directly off of a CD?. You could let it run for an hour doing some ordinary thing and see if it fails. This would let us know if it really is a hardware problem or is something inside your present installation of Windows. Temperatures are in Celsius. From 30 to 40 inside the case is withing reason. The CPU might work up to 90, but that is way beyond safe and sane PC use. Try to keep it way below 60 when doing hard work. You say it gets up to 50 on a prime number EXERCISE. That sounds good. I am out of IDEAS. At this point I would want to try Southern Fried Chicken. K. In the morning I'll try that. Thx for your help

Answer»

Hi. I'll try to be as descriptive as possible. I have a custom built computer, some of which I have upgraded through time by myself...at least the simple parts. However, I have a problem as of late.

My computer will sometimes just shut down. Not turn off, but shut down in such a way that it is no longer processing I guess. The monitor turns off, even though the computer sounds to be running, it isn't. I know this because when i run a game on my two COMPUTERS, it shows that the character on the failing computer logs out.

At first I figured it to be a powersupply issue...and this is why. I was having a graphical error problem on my 9800 gx2 card that would cause the comp to hang. I sent it in and received a replacement. It had run hot for a long while, and only recently before its errors I heard of a program EVGA made to correct it allowing me to increase the fan speed of the card. Anyway, new card in hand, I had the same problem...and thats when I found that one of the 6prong rail on the powersupply was dead. It would just cause the computer to crash, staying powered on, but turning the monitor off. So, I replaced the powersupply with not only a new one, but upgraded from a 750 to an 850.

Anyway, even now it still continues to do so. So, the tests I have performed are the following:

1. Swapped another videocard in, still happens.
2. Ran Memtest86 a few times, no errors.
3. Watched temps inside the case, on the cpu, the gpu, all of which as in nice temps.
4. It happens whether in or out of gaming.

I really don't know much of what else to test so I would love a little help.

My system is:

3ghz core 2 duo E6850
4 gb Ram (4 modules) (yes i know xp uses only 3gb)
evga geforce GTX 285 video card (under load 49 to 52 C temps)
850 modulated powersupply
Windows XP sp3
500gb HARD drive
P6N SLI Platinum Motherboard
Quote

Not turn off, but shut down in such a way that it is no longer processing I guess.

Do the caps key and mun lock still work?
If so, the thing is running.I'll check in the morning and see if it does. I'm assuming all you are interested is if the keyboard light changes from on/off on num lock and caps. Even if they do I'm not sure still why the monitor shuts down and the computer is unreaponsive. Sound shuts off if music was playing. I even have an app running in the background that let's me access the comp with my laptop and it also cannot connect when it happens so I've only assumed the comp has hanged. If the CPU is frozen in a loop, the CAPS and MUN don't work. It is thee CPU that responds to the toggle.
Most likely you have a problem with a screen saver.
Or the VGA is on the way out.
Next time it does that , bang on the windows LOGO key. That should bring up the START menu. Ok. It did it again and the caps key and the numberlock keys do not respond. So I'm guessing the CPU is freezing in a loop. Not sure what that means. I did want to state I don't use a screen saver because when I'm not using my computer, I turn it off. I have very few items running in my system tray as well. Usually just temperature monitoring software, speaker icons, and occassionally FRAPS. What are the Temps ? ? Quote from: takean on March 18, 2010, 11:01:32 PM

Ok. It did it again and the caps key and the numberlock keys do not respond.

That means the CPU is locked in a tight loop or has come to a stop.
That can be internal overhearing, defective memory, defective BIOS or failure of other motherboard components.

The only thing you can do is try to re seat the CPU and check to see if the thermal paste was placed correctly.

Would not recommend a FLASH of the BIOS. That has to be the last resort.

Wait, we have to make sure this is NOT a software problem. You need to boot the system with another OS, line a Live Linux and let it run for an hour..
Hmmmm. Never have tried doing a dual boot before. Any guides you might recommend for me on installing Linux on the same hard drive? Quote from: patio on March 19, 2010, 09:36:44 AM

What are the Temps ? ?

temps while running prime95 are around 50C. Mostly around 47 to 49c.No, do no install a dual boot.
Do you have anything there that boots directly off of a CD?.
You could let it run for an hour doing some ordinary thing and see if it fails. This would let us know if it really is a hardware problem or is something inside your present installation of Windows.

Temperatures are in Celsius. From 30 to 40 inside the case is withing reason. The CPU might work up to 90, but that is way beyond safe and sane PC use. Try to keep it way below 60 when doing hard work. You say it gets up to 50 on a prime number EXERCISE. That sounds good.

I am out of IDEAS. At this point I would want to try Southern Fried Chicken. K. In the morning I'll try that. Thx for your help

Solve : Computer keeps shutting down...?

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