Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

Author Topic: shuts off unexpectedly  (Read 3125 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

windego

    Topic Starter


    Starter

    shuts off unexpectedly
    « on: August 09, 2009, 11:26:17 AM »
    My desktop computer shuts off unexpectedly. It shuts off at any time, after startup, after hours of use..sometimes it doesn't even complete startup before shutting off. It sometimes even takes 3 to 6 attempts, in a row to keep it on. It soesn't seem to totally shut off though, as the power light is still on. It is not in hibernation or standby, I have turned these off. I must hold the power button in until it shuts off and restart it. The reset button doesn't work when in this mode. Any suggestions on how to stop this?

    My computer is a gateway running Microsoft XP

    Carbon Dudeoxide

    • Global Moderator

    • Mastermind
    • Thanked: 169
      • Yes
      • Yes
      • Yes
    • Certifications: List
    • Experience: Guru
    • OS: Mac OS
    Re: shuts off unexpectedly
    « Reply #1 on: August 09, 2009, 12:03:40 PM »
    When did this start?

    Follow this guide and post the computer's temperatures:
    http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,83105.0.html

    windego

      Topic Starter


      Starter

      Re: shuts off unexpectedly
      « Reply #2 on: August 09, 2009, 12:16:03 PM »
      started a few months ago
      Hardware monitor
      -----------------------------------------------------

      Analog Device ADM1027 hardware monitor

      Voltage sensor 0   1.46 Volts [0x70] (+1.5V)
      Voltage sensor 1   1.48 Volts [0x7E] (CPU VCORE)
      Voltage sensor 2   3.37 Volts [0xC4] (ATX +3.3V)
      Voltage sensor 3   5.04 Volts [0xC2] (ATX +5V)
      Voltage sensor 4   11.92 Volts [0xBE] (ATX +12V)
      Temperature sensor 0   47°C (116°F) [0x2F] (CPU)
      Temperature sensor 1   38°C (100°F) [0x26] (AUX)
      Temperature sensor 2   47°C (116°F) [0x2F] (System)
      Fan sensor 0      497 RPM [0x1537] (FANIN0)


      WDC WD1200BB-53DWA0 hardware monitor

      Temperature sensor 0   42°C (107°F) [0x2A] (HDD)

      Quantos



        Guru
      • Veni, Vidi, Vici
      • Thanked: 170
        • Yes
        • Yes
      • Computer: Specs
      • Experience: Guru
      • OS: Linux variant
      Re: shuts off unexpectedly
      « Reply #3 on: August 10, 2009, 08:22:00 PM »
      When was the last time that you opened up the computer, blew out all the dust and replaced the thermal paste on the processor?
      Evil is an exact science.

      Karnac



        Specialist

        Thanked: 211
        Re: shuts off unexpectedly
        « Reply #4 on: August 10, 2009, 08:39:00 PM »
        I'm thinking swap in a known good power supply...


        Never argue with a stupid person, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

        Quantos



          Guru
        • Veni, Vidi, Vici
        • Thanked: 170
          • Yes
          • Yes
        • Computer: Specs
        • Experience: Guru
        • OS: Linux variant
        Re: shuts off unexpectedly
        « Reply #5 on: August 10, 2009, 08:40:26 PM »
        I'm thinking swap in a known good power supply...

        That's a good call, his posted measurements are within spec, but that can change under a heavy load too.
        Evil is an exact science.

        Karnac



          Specialist

          Thanked: 211
          Re: shuts off unexpectedly
          « Reply #6 on: August 10, 2009, 08:48:37 PM »
          RPM on that fan seems low as well, (might be caked in dirt) but the symptoms seem to point more to power issue.......swapping it will tell the story.


          Never argue with a stupid person, they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

          jim.mar



            Apprentice
          • Long in the tooth, shy between the ears
            • Yes
          • Computer: Specs
          • Experience: Familiar
          • OS: Windows 7
          Re: shuts off unexpectedly
          « Reply #7 on: August 11, 2009, 09:21:13 AM »
          I had an old Gateway 98 that did that.   Replacd PSU, no problem.
          You are much appreciated..     Thank you ,

          windego

            Topic Starter


            Starter

            Re: shuts off unexpectedly
            « Reply #8 on: August 11, 2009, 11:55:11 AM »
            When was the last time that you opened up the computer, blew out all the dust and replaced the thermal paste on the processor?
            I opened it up and dusted it when this started happening. Don't know what thermal paste is or how to replace it.

            I'm thinking swap in a known good power supply...
            I have also purchased a new surge protector, and it keeps shutting off. I even moved the computer to another room, same.

            I had an old Gateway 98 that did that.   Replacd PSU, no problem.
            What is PSU?

            Quantos



              Guru
            • Veni, Vidi, Vici
            • Thanked: 170
              • Yes
              • Yes
            • Computer: Specs
            • Experience: Guru
            • OS: Linux variant
            Re: shuts off unexpectedly
            « Reply #9 on: August 11, 2009, 11:59:15 AM »
            I opened it up and dusted it when this started happening. Don't know what thermal paste is or how to replace it.

            Thermal paste is a conductive compound that helps the heatsink remove heat more efficiently from the CPU.

            Quote
            What is PSU.

            The PSU is the Power Supply Unit.
            Evil is an exact science.