1.

Solve : Random restarts, believe it to be the power supply?

Answer»

So my computer started randomly restarting a couple days ago (while playing games, browsing internet, coming out of standby mode etc.). I did some research and disabled the auto shutdown for windows to see if I got a BSOD but I did not, so that MEANS it is a hardware issue correct? I kept my "Speedfan" program running so I could see my temps and fan RPMs.

System 34C
CPU 51-58C (idle-peak)
AUX 37-67C
HD0 32C
HD1 31C
Core 53C

CPU0fan 2136 RPM (average)
AUX0 fan 3150 RPM
I have more fans than this but only these 2 showup (I have a total of like 7 fans I think)

A couple things are running hotter than I would like but nothing seemed bad enough for a restart/shutdown. Today when I turned the PC on it said AUX 126C! Which didn't seem possible but the auxfan rpms were 0 too. The power supply fan was not running, all others were though. Now I do not know much about computers so I was not SURE if it is normal for the power supply fan to not run when the computer is first turned on (only turns on when needed?). I am going to open the PC up and clean it out. I there anything else I should check before or while I open it?

Next post will include system specs, wanna GET this posted before another restart! Win XP5.1 service pack 3
P4 3.2 GHz
ASUS P5WD2 Premium MOBO
2G OCZ Ram
NVIDIA 8600 GT

Of course I can't remember what my power supply is though! It is antec though, as is the case.

Anything else you need to know let me know!Best and cheapest test for a PSU is to borrow one of the same or greater wattage and swap it in there...Thanks Patio. I will see what I can find, how hard is it to change out? I haven't done a lot of work with computers but I am a quick learner.
It is not a antec BTW (antec was what I was supposed to get but that is a long story!) It is a thermaltakeX 480w.

Well I cleaned it out and it was a little dusty as always, OLD house so I do regular cleaning inside the case. Temps are down a little but the biggest drop is the AUX which is down to like 22C & the fan is only running at 760RPM now. The PSU fan was not running when I first started up the PC again, is that normal??
Quote from: myswtsins on April 19, 2009, 12:42:30 PM

The PSU fan was not running when I first started up the PC again, is that normal??

No. Definitely not normal. And it's still not running? Sounds like you need a new power supply with a working fan.The fan does start running after a few minutes.
I do not have one to swap, no one seems to have more than 305 watts. I am waiting for one more source that might have one. If I have to buy one (which is not a big deal, they seem to be reasonably priced at zipzoomfly) any particular brand or wattage anyone recommend? And can anyone recommend a good source for info on replacing a power supply or will anything I find on google do just fine?

I have had PROBLEMS in the past with random restarts, about 2 years ago when the PC was first built for me, and it turned out to be my RAM. One of the 2G kits was bad (and it is actually sitting next to me) so now I only have the 1 2G kit (2 separate stick). Can I try 1 of those sticks at a time to eliminate RAM as a problem or can I not break up the kit?http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009795
This seems like a good deal but I have no idea if it is what I really need. I don't know if this is enough...
6 Pin PCI-E Connectors 1
8 Pin PCI-E Connectors 1
S-ATA Connectors 6

But it seems better then others of similar price. I guess I am opening up the case again to see what kind of connections I am looking at! Please let me know what you guys think about the PSU. Thanks!So last night my computer shut itself down and will not start back up now. The fans and lights come on but nothing ever loads. There is no beeping that I can hear. My fan is too loud to hear if anything else is running too.

I do not have a power supply I can swap in. Do you still think it could be the power supply? Please help, I use my PC for work so this is not a good SITUATION for me.

Something I did not list yet is my harddrives, 2 - 320GB Maxtor.
Things that I have done different recently are using standby after being idle for 30mins & I had a virus (fake anti-virus program).Power supply install.....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvClS_M-09o

Yes, sounds like a dead PSU....


Discussion

No Comment Found