Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: largo249 on July 06, 2008, 12:09:34 PM
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Sometimes when I turn on my computer, it will boot up to the desktop and then shutdown. Most times however, it never makes it that far. I've replaced the power supply, reseated memory and changed outlets as well as battery backup plugin locations. Any ideas on what it could be? I'm thinking motherboard..........
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Any error messages?
Please read this: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,33328.0.html
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I built this system about a year ago and have not had any problems till now. I do receive the single beep when booting and there are no error messages; it just simply shuts down. I removed the side cover and all fans are running when the power is turned on.
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I built this system about a year ago and have not had any problems till now.
Anything changed before the problem - hardware, downloads, security programs settings, new programs, driver updates, etc?
Can you start in Safe Mode?
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No changes or additions of any kind; was able to start in safe mode ok. Could it be the MBR?
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Nope, it shut down again while in safe mode.........
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Can you access BIOS? See if you have a 'Hardware Monitor' section or similar. Wait at that BIOS screen, monitor temps and fans and see if the system shuts down. If so. what was last temp? Are all fans shown running?
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CPU fan 1622 rpm
System fan 0 rpm
cpu temp 109 degrees
system temp 107
Letting it run to see if it shuts down; will recheck connections for system fan....
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cpu temp 109 degrees
system temp 107
Celsius or Fahrenheit?
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Fahrenheit
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Hmmmm....43*C isn't that hot but we can't discount any possibilities.
If you have an external fan, have it blow at the computer and see what happens.
(http://www.fileupyours.com/files/151662/30_2359159.jpg)
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So far, it hasn't shut down while in the BIOS. It's been almost ten minutes now. I also reloaded the default settings. Forgot to mention that when I replaced the power supply, I also cleaned the heat sink and processor and put on new thermal compound. I used Artic Silver 3 since I have a dual processor. Will keep you posted....
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109 & 107 sure shouldn't be a problem.
Why don't you see if it shuts down without the external fan first.
If it does, turn on the fan as @carbon suggests and see if that helps..
Is the "system fan" a case fan? Did you find out what the issue is? If it's powered from the psu and not the motherboard, there will be no monitoring, i.e., speed = 0.
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Forgot to mention that when I replaced the power supply, I also cleaned the heat sink and processor and put on new thermal compound. I used Artic Silver 3 since I have a dual processor. Will keep you posted....
This was after the problem, right?
I also reloaded the default settings.
Are you overclocking at all? What settings do you normally run different from default?
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Yes to "this was after the problem" and I don't have my system setup for overclocking.
Everything is pretty much the default settings. It was in BIOS for twenty minutes and did not shut down. I've exited out and back into Windows.
I did turn a fan on, but it's not any hotter today than any other day. I'll keep it the system on and see what happens.
Will keep you posted............
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It's been on over an hour now and hasn't shut down. I don't know if setting the BIOS back to default had anything to do with it, but I would never had thought about that. Thanks for your help; I was getting ready to buy a motherboard or memory.
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So problem solved?
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Seems that way. I need to get caught up on some things, so we'll see. Thanks again. If it does happen again, should I update this or create a new one?
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Just update here so we know the history. ;)
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Glad that it seems ok!
What did you determine on the system fan?
Best of luck!
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If the computer is running fine, The fan should be doing its job.
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If the computer is running fine, The fan should be doing its job.
This fan:
CPU fan 1622 rpm
System fan 0 rpm
cpu temp 109 degrees
system temp 107
Letting it run to see if it shuts down; will recheck connections for system fan....
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Oh, I don't know about that. It's the same with my other computer.
Anyone know why it might be like this?
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Oh, I don't know about that. It's the same with my other computer.
Anyone know why it might be like this?
I think that we're not communicating - when the OP went into the BIOS, the system fan had rpm = 0; he said that he would check it out.
Not important - probably connected to the PSU and not monitored.
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Since the network adaptors are not showing in device manager, I re-installed the motherboard drivers, but still did not having internet connection.
I rebooted the modem as well; same result.
The system did not shutdown like it had been until I installed a PCI NIC card, then it would shut down almost immediately after the inital motherboard flash screen.
I've removed the NIC card and set the BIOS back to default settings just in case and the system will run for about 10 minutes or so and before shutting down.
This last time when the system shut down, I waited a few minutes and turned it back on. Now I'm getting remove disks or other media; press any key to continue.
There are no disks in the system and the keyboard is not recognized.
Any thoughts on this? With the network adaptors not being recognized and now the system thinking there are disks there, I'm beginning to think it is the motherboard..............
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Update to remove disks..........
I had put in a flash drive to copy some files to; I removed that and the system booted ok. I've had it on now for about 25 minutes and it has not shutdown......
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Take that back; it just shutdown again..........
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Are you getting any errors on shutdown?
Have you checked Windows Event Log?
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No errors on shutdown; just turns off.
Windows Event Log shows numerous errors. I went to Microsoft and looked up each one. Almost all the errors showed no further action required. Some errors were because the system clock could not be updated (due to not being able to connect to the internet) and other were concerning USB and CD drive issues. These issues/events occured when the system turned off.
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The system did not shutdown like it had been until I installed a PCI NIC card, then it would shut down almost immediately after the inital motherboard flash screen.
What do you mean by this? Was this part of the original problem?
Also, I was going over everything that you had done - are you plugged into a UPS? Have you tried plugging directly into the wall outlet?
I guess that I would strip the computer down to: video, one stick of RAM, 1 harddrive; nothing connected except monitor, keyboard and mouse (preferably PS2 for the latter 2) and see if it's okay. If not, switch RAM modules; also switch video if you have on board and a separate video card. (One change at a time.) If stable, replace the RAM stick with the next one (but just run one module at a time). If stable, add the second RAM module; then add back harddrives, one at a time; then add back CD-ROM; then add back any PCI cards. Allow enough time between changes to allow it to shutdown. This is poorly presented but I hope that you get the idea!
You've mentioned the motherboard as a suspect twice. Certainly examine it closely for bulging capacitors, signs of overheating, physical damage, etc. If the above doesn't pinpoint another cause, the motherboard may have gone bad.
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I installed the NIC card when the device mgr. did not recognize the network adapter. When I did, the system would shut down immediately.
We are getting ready for severe storms, so I will be logging off and using that time to strip down the system as you suggested. Will keep you updated once the storms have passed........
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Okay.
Examine the built-in ethernet port; loose, shorted, pins bent, etc.
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Replace the NIC card with a new one. Sounds like you got a bad one.
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I've had the same problem. I replaced every component in the system, even the case. Still shuts down shortly after boot up. I initially suspected the motherboard, but my brand new one had the same issues. I've got new RAM, Vid card, HD, ect.. everything except the sound card. I could build a new system, if I could keep "them" running long enough. Oh yeah, I also put a new processor in the system...still the same shutdown shortly after boot up. I'm still clueless. Going back to the basic system and reminding myself not to throw computer parts at the wall when i get mad >:(
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OK, many deep breaths later... I realized my processor heatsink wasn't properly seated. Hard to believe, but these things are running so hot (not overclocked) that one improperly set heatsink pin was enough to allow the processor to overheat >:( Well, its all good now, the system runs like a champ, and I've got enough new parts to make myself a new system. My wife thinks its a conspiracy, but I swear I was just trying to fix the comp ;), I also added new thermal compound to the processor and cleaned all the boards and fans. Good luck all!
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Congrats! But, I'm curious - you cleaned the CPU and re-applied thermal paste AFTER you had a problem, then, more new parts later, determined that it was a bad CPU install; hmmm, I'm not so sure that your wife isn't right! :)
Best of luck!