Hardware Computer shuts off randomly.

Fishaman P · Apr 14, 2011

Got parts for Christmas and built my own computer. No problems.

Recently got a new Hitachi 500GB hard drive and a new Asus DVD drive, along with an Asus 20" monitor. Put them in. Started computer up, just shut down a couple of seconds later. Opened computer up, unplugged old 20GB HDD, computer worked fine. Plugged HDD back in, computer still worked fine. Weird.

Brought computer downstairs the next day to get internet access. Computer was having the issues again when I tried booting Win7 off the new 500GB hard drive. Then tried Ubuntu off a 160GB HDD (yes I had 3 HDDs) and it worked fine, getting updated and all. Went back to Win7, ISSUES. AGAIN.

Then, no matter what I booted (memory tester, Ubuntu, Win7) it was having power issues. Sometimes it would shut down before it even got past the POST (which every other time beeped once for OK). Tried EVERY combination of removing, switching, unplugging things, etc.

I noticed that the longer I waited after shutdown to restart, the longer it lasted. It's like an exponential decay equation, but the limits are like 5-90 seconds. I can't use my computer for ANYTHING. Help!

caster62003 · Apr 14, 2011

Sound to be like you have either some type of heat issue or power supply issue. How old is this computer? How dusty is it inside? If I were you, I would first start off by giving it a nice clean job, vacume up all the dust bunnies, then using some canned air, give it a nice blow job, not that way, get your mind out of the gutter, and give that a try. Granted this will mean it has been off for awhile, so it may look like it has been resolved, but let it sit and see what happens.

If that fails, I would then invest in some good thermal paste, then remove the old, apply the new, and again test that out.

If those two fail, then I would check the power requirments for all the hdw in your computer, and compare the total to theamount your PSU is outputting, if the PSU is too low, time to get a new one, if the PSU is higher than the total...poop if I know.

I would probably then take it to a computer repair shop to get their first hand opinion on the ordeal.

Strider · Apr 14, 2011

+1 PSU issue

gloweyjoey · Apr 14, 2011

Either a power issue or a heat issue.

I don't know if you tried only having your main hard drive plugged in and no other devices.

The other is a heat issue. Intel processors will shut off if before it gets too hot so it wont burn out. I would check and see if your heat sink is properly seated and that the fans are powered as well. This might be why you get it running for a longer amount of time if you waited longer before restarting, essentially letting it cool down.

Check your heat sink.

naved.islam14 · Apr 15, 2011

I also think you have a overheating issue.

Jasper07 · Apr 15, 2011

I also think it's a power or overheating issue.
Btw, how many GB RAM you got?

Bunie · Apr 15, 2011

I say Overheating issue. Reason: "I noticed that the longer I waited after shutdown to restart, the longer it lasted." Cooling off, Lasts longer.

cobleman · Apr 15, 2011

Might seem silly but did you set the bios too Default ?
A wrong video card driver will also cause shut downs.

Fishaman P · Apr 15, 2011

Hey guys, turns out it was just an issue with the electricity in the room downstairs. Moved computer back upstairs without changing anything, and it worked fine. Although you guys DID name every suspect on my list...

Now who gets the best answer?

Hardware Computer shuts off randomly.

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