Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: windego on August 09, 2009, 11:26:17 AM

Title: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: windego 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
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide 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
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: windego 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)
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Quantos 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?
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Karnac on August 10, 2009, 08:39:00 PM
I'm thinking swap in a known good power supply...
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Quantos on August 10, 2009, 08:40:26 PM
Quote from: Karnac on August 10, 2009, 08:39:00 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.
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Karnac 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.
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: jim.mar on August 11, 2009, 09:21:13 AM
I had an old Gateway 98 that did that.   Replacd PSU, no problem.
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: windego on August 11, 2009, 11:55:11 AM
Quote from: Quantos 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?
I opened it up and dusted it when this started happening. Don't know what thermal paste is or how to replace it.

Quote from: Karnac on August 10, 2009, 08:39:00 PM
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.

Quote from: jim.mar on August 11, 2009, 09:21:13 AM
I had an old Gateway 98 that did that.   Replacd PSU, no problem.
What is PSU?
Title: Re: shuts off unexpectedly
Post by: Quantos on August 11, 2009, 11:59:15 AM
Quote from: windego on August 11, 2009, 11:55:11 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.