Computer only works on the downstairs floor..? Help!

[deanna1001]

For some reason, my computer suddenly stopped working on my downstairs floor.  It will turn on for a few minutes or so and then shut down.  It's really weird.  Upstairs it works fine.  I have two different computers and when I tried the second computer, it did the exact same thing.  I'm not really sure what's going on, but I'm pretty sure it has to be the power or something. Haha. Please Help!

[computeruler]

Find who wired your house and demand a refund

[deanna1001]

  Haha. Yeah, well, I tested it with those thingy's and it says my outlets are spewing out the right stuff. Hahahaha.

[Griff]

Are you trying all the power sockets down stairs? Or just one?

There is definitely a problem with the wiring in your house. Something about the downstairs circuit is unstable, and is causing the power to surge or spike. The computers power supply will turn itself off if it determines the power is too poor or unstable. Since both computers are doing this, it's a pretty good sign.

[deanna1001]

I've tried this computer in basically every outlet there is on the first floor.  They all end up doing the same thing.

[Griff]

You may want to call an electrician to look at your house. If your entire house was doing that, I'd say it was the power company. But only the first floor? hmm...

An expert opinion might be in store for this. You don't want to cause any damage to the other devices downstairs do you?

[deanna1001]

Yeah, does it matter that other things that use more electricity work on there but not the computer?  Is it going to hurt my computer if I continue to try it?

[dr_iton]

Have you checked out the Voltage with the MULTIMETER (Voltmeter)!
Cheers

[deanna1001]

Yeah, I think.  I'm not sure what it's called but I stuck two prongs into the outlet and it lit up 250 or some number like that.

[dr_iton]

Regularly it must be 230 V not more. I think that must be the reason.
Cheers.

[deanna1001]

Oh man, I don't remember the number it is suppose to be.  It actually might of been 230.  It definitely seemed normal.

[Karnac]

Well , if everything worked previously and now it doesn't, what has changed on the ground floor? Have you added a new appliance on the ground floor?
Do your lights flicker when the refrigerator kicks in? Are there any flourescent lamps or portable phones near where you keep your PC? Does your PCs electrical outlet back on to an appliance outlet in another room?

[dr_iton]

Read this:
ELECTRICAL GROUNDING
Cheers.

[mroilfield]

I would do like previously suggested and call in a professional to have a look at the wiring.

Electricity can be real unforgiving if you go messing with it and you don't know what you are doing.

[truenorth]

deanna1001, Given the uniformity of the electrical outlet responces (all the upstairs work-all the downstairs don't) this will turn out to be a problem at the electrical service panel box. Not something for you to play with unless you have an electricians licence. It sounds like the downstairs circuits are not properly wired in the panel. truenorth