Electronics Computer Mystery Problem

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 12:41 PM

Hey All,

So my desktop is on the fritz. It's a few years old and I built it myself. The issue is this:

*It keeps shutting down as if the plug has been pulled. Completely turns off, although the monitor on the same power strip doesn't turn off.

*Sometimes it will turn right back on and sometimes I have to turn the power strip off and back on before it will power up.

*KINDA WEIRD PART: When it started happening, the computer would stay on for less and less time until it finally would turn back off almost immediately.(Over the span of a couple hours) I was away from home for a few days and when I returned I tried to fire it up "just for the heck of it". It worked! And it stayed on just fine. Used it regularly for a couple of days before the problem started up again. Now it's back to worthless. It seems almost as if it has to "rest up" or " cool down" or something.

Anyway... my laymen's/wishful thinking theory is that it is the power source. That would be cheap to replace of course. I thought the CP braintrust might have more insight into what the deal is. TIA.

Last note: When it is staying on, there are no noticeable performance issues.

ModSocks · 04-20-2015, 01:27 PM

First thoughts that come to my head:

Power Supply. It's most likely a bad power supply, but generally, they just die when they're ready to die, rather than cycle like that. But you never know.

CPU or MoBO cooling issue causing it to shutdown to avoid hardware damage?

Battery on the MoBo?

DaveNull · 04-20-2015, 01:31 PM

I'd start with the power supply, but if you think it's the power strip then take this chance to get a small battery backup. I got one about a year ago and really am happy with that purchase.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-20-2015, 01:41 PM

In addition to Detoxying's suggestions, check the IEC cable. Maybe it's shorted out.

**DaFace** · 04-20-2015, 01:45 PM

The "fine at first, then getting worse" thing makes me wonder if it's heat related. I think I'd first take an air can to it and make sure all of your fans and vents are nice and clear if you haven't already done that. Does your mobo have CPU temperature readings in the BIOS? If so, go straight in there right after it does it next time and see if you're cooking your CPU somehow. You could install some software to monitor that in real time as well, though it's honestly been years since I've looked into specific software options, so I can't help much there.

I do agree with others that the power supply is the most likely culprit though, so be sure to blow that thing out well. If all is clear and your CPU temp is fine, but you're still shutting off, try a new PSU. If that's not it, it's gonna get tricky.

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 02:23 PM

OK. Some things to work on. I'll update when I know more. Thanks.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 04-20-2015, 03:17 PM

is your fan working?

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 03:37 PM

Okay. Started it up while open. All fans were working and it was on long enough for me to install some CPU heat monitoring software. I said I was sitting at 43 C. It's an AMD athelon, but I can't remember the exact model. Been to long since I built it. Anyway, some cursory research online makes me think it isn't CPU heat.

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 03:38 PM

It did crash again, BTW.

**DaFace** · 04-20-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Okay. Started it up while open. All fans were working and it was on long enough for me to install some CPU heat monitoring software. I said I was sitting at 43 C. It's an AMD athelon, but I can't remember the exact model. Been to long since I built it. Anyway, some cursory research online makes me think it isn't CPU heat.

Yeah, 43C is fine. I'd focus your attention on the PSU at first at least.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-20-2015, 04:17 PM

I'd go to Fry's, purchase a replacement power supply and an new system battery. If that doesn't fix the issue, return the items. At that point, I'd put money on the motherboard.

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'd go to Fry's, purchase a replacement power supply and an new system battery. If that doesn't fix the issue, return the items. At that point, I'd put money on the motherboard.

Ordered a replacement power supply. Man I hope that's all it is.

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-20-2015, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Ordered a replacement power supply. Man I hope that's all it is.

Good luck, although power supplies can be just as a expensive as motherboards these days...

**kysirsoze** · 04-20-2015, 05:53 PM

Installed new powere source. (Couldn't wait and I ran to Fry's) Up and running. Now we wait and see if it turns off again. (heart in throat)

**DaFace** · 04-20-2015, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Installed new powere source. (Couldn't wait and I ran to Fry's) Up and running. Now we wait and see if it turns off again. (heart in throat)

Good luck, and keep us posted.

04-20-2015, 12:41 PM
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3776946	Computer Mystery Problem Hey All, So my desktop is on the fritz. It's a few years old and I built it myself. The issue is this: It keeps shutting down as if the plug has been pulled. Completely turns off, although the monitor on the same power strip doesn't turn off. Sometimes it will turn right back on and sometimes I have to turn the power strip off and back on before it will power up. *KINDA WEIRD PART: When it started happening, the computer would stay on for less and less time until it finally would turn back off almost immediately.(Over the span of a couple hours) I was away from home for a few days and when I returned I tried to fire it up "just for the heck of it". It worked! And it stayed on just fine. Used it regularly for a couple of days before the problem started up again. Now it's back to worthless. It seems almost as if it has to "rest up" or " cool down" or something. Anyway... my laymen's/wishful thinking theory is that it is the power source. That would be cheap to replace of course. I thought the CP braintrust might have more insight into what the deal is. TIA. Last note: When it is staying on, there are no noticeable performance issues.
Posts: 11,293

04-20-2015, 01:27 PM	#2
ModSocks Needs more middle fingers Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego Casino cash: $4294563	First thoughts that come to my head: Power Supply. It's most likely a bad power supply, but generally, they just die when they're ready to die, rather than cycle like that. But you never know. CPU or MoBO cooling issue causing it to shutdown to avoid hardware damage? Battery on the MoBo? __________________ It's O'side or No side, baby.
Posts: 64,299

04-20-2015, 01:31 PM	#3
DaveNull Veteran Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Villa Straylight Casino cash: $10005610	I'd start with the power supply, but if you think it's the power strip then take this chance to get a small battery backup. I got one about a year ago and really am happy with that purchase.
Posts: 2,367

04-20-2015, 01:41 PM	#4
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	In addition to Detoxying's suggestions, check the IEC cable. Maybe it's shorted out.
Posts: 88,960

04-20-2015, 01:45 PM	#5
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $2046899	The "fine at first, then getting worse" thing makes me wonder if it's heat related. I think I'd first take an air can to it and make sure all of your fans and vents are nice and clear if you haven't already done that. Does your mobo have CPU temperature readings in the BIOS? If so, go straight in there right after it does it next time and see if you're cooking your CPU somehow. You could install some software to monitor that in real time as well, though it's honestly been years since I've looked into specific software options, so I can't help much there. I do agree with others that the power supply is the most likely culprit though, so be sure to blow that thing out well. If all is clear and your CPU temp is fine, but you're still shutting off, try a new PSU. If that's not it, it's gonna get tricky.
Posts: 51,757

04-20-2015, 02:23 PM	#6
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3776946	OK. Some things to work on. I'll update when I know more. Thanks.
Posts: 11,293

04-20-2015, 03:17 PM	#7
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	is your fan working? __________________
Posts: 12,526

04-20-2015, 03:37 PM	#8
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3776946	Okay. Started it up while open. All fans were working and it was on long enough for me to install some CPU heat monitoring software. I said I was sitting at 43 C. It's an AMD athelon, but I can't remember the exact model. Been to long since I built it. Anyway, some cursory research online makes me think it isn't CPU heat.
Posts: 11,293

04-20-2015, 03:38 PM	#9
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3776946	It did crash again, BTW.
Posts: 11,293

04-20-2015, 04:17 PM	#11
DaneMcCloud Supporter Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hollywood, CA Casino cash: $10053648	I'd go to Fry's, purchase a replacement power supply and an new system battery. If that doesn't fix the issue, return the items. At that point, I'd put money on the motherboard.
Posts: 88,960

04-20-2015, 05:53 PM	#14
kysirsoze SNAP THE ****ING BALL!!! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $3776946	Installed new powere source. (Couldn't wait and I ran to Fry's) Up and running. Now we wait and see if it turns off again. (heart in throat)
Posts: 11,293