Computer keeps switching off..

Hlebio

Hlebio

Hlebio

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Joined
18 Mar 2006
Posts
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Hey guys.

First my spec,

AMD Dual Core x2 3800, MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum nForce4 Ultra
PowerColor ATI Radeon X1800 XT 512MB, 2gb Corsair Value RAM
Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 NCQ 160GB, NEC ND4570 16x16 DVD±RW
Antec Sonata II Piano Black Quiet Case - 450w Smart Power PSU

Had my PC now for over 2 years and it's always been absolutely fine, but recently problems have started.

First let me explain what I mean when I say it 'switches off'. Basically my monitor goes black (the power light flashes on and off, as it does when I shut the computer down but don't turn the monitor off) but the PC itself just seems to hang there. It neither turns off or restarts, very strange.

It's a problem that's gradually been getting worse and worse.

Initially this was only happening very rarely, and ONLY when I was playing BF2. Sometimes it'd happen, sometimes it wouldn't, until it eventually started happening EVERYTIME I tried to play BF2. More time passed and soon it was happening when trying to play less system-demanding games such as RA2 for example, until it got to the point where any sort of game was a no no and it'd happen every time without fail.

Unfortunately the problem has got worse and it's now happening to me even when browsing the net, listening to music or using programs etc. Doesn't happen everyday (at the mo) but if it happens once in a day it tends to persist on shutting off all the time after that (even shutting off before booting in to windows) until the PC is left off for a good few hours.

So does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? I'm no PC whizz but my guess would be the PSU, especially since the problem seems to be getting worse and worse? Only trouble is I don't have a spare PSU or one to borrow to try.. :( Bit broke too so can't afford to buy one either..

Things I've tried and looked at -
I've ruled out the RAM being a problem by running memtest overnight, and also trying the RAM in different DIMM slots and also using one at a time. I've also checked my PC and graphics card temperatures and they seem to be okay enough. Graphics card is running at about 60c and the CPU at about 50c, general system about 40c. I've also obviously opened up my case and made sure nothing has come loose and that everything is connected properly and all is well.

Can a virus be ruled out?

Any help would be much apprecated. Thanks.
 
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Was gonna say a corrupt windows would cause those problems, maybe try a repair windows thingy and see if that does anything, if not try a complete reformat, but remember to back up any important stuff.
Also wait until some other people reply as there opinions might be highly regarded compared.

~Slash
 
Easiest is to do a full format and reinstall. You could beg/borrow/steal a hard drive to do this on. Only needs to be 40Gb. You could also borrow a PSU. Ive got one for testing purposes, but cant be sent out, Im quite happy to let you borrow them, but you would have to pick them up.
 
I'd say it sounds like a PSU problem. Try and borrow one or use a spare one to test it out if you can.
 
remember , he is saying that the only thing shutting off is the monitor.

what monitor is it?

cable attached to video card ok?

update your video card drivers/revert to older drivers.
 
Well, what i suggest is DON'T reformat. That is just a last resort. In my experience in the industry (I'm an IT Technician) this sort of problem usually occurs when not enough power is being supplied to the GPU.

I'd normally suggest trying a different power supply, i once had a similar problem when a surge of electricity damaged my PSU and somehow weakened it.
 
Now, don't spoil a good chant of the MS mantra [1]with sense and reason.

Does the sound keep playing when the display vanishes?
Have you checked temps on the card?
(overheating usually causes something more interesting that what you describe, but you never know).
The progressive nature of the issue suggests either an aging PSU starting to struggle keeping voltages stable, or fans clogged with gack.



[1]Reboot, re-install, reformat,re-install,repeat. I despise windows and I give it (well XP anyway) more credit than that ;)
 
Dogoid said:
remember , he is saying that the only thing shutting off is the monitor.

what monitor is it?

cable attached to video card ok?

update your video card drivers/revert to older drivers.
Click to expand...

The monitor isn't shutting off exactly, it just goes in to stand-by like it does whne I turn the PC off. It's definitely a PC problem and not monitor related.

I'll have to try and get my hands on a PSU.

Thanks guys.
 
That's a wise choice Hlebio, my top suggestion is never even consider formatting if you don't have to. It's a last decision and i always put it as an extreme last choice. People these days are formatting' friendly and it quite frankly annoys me. Formatting does not solve most problems.

If your problem was a driver problem it would have occurred to begin with. But it didn't, these kind of symptoms shout PSU to me.

When going for a new PSU, try going for a more powerful than your current one. A friend of mine put in some new components into this computer and then it had similar symptoms, after putting in a more powerful PSU it worked fine!
 
My guess would be the GPU driver. Are you using an Nvidia card perchance? If so, which driver? Does the hard drive and fans still stay on yet you can not shut it down unless you depower?
 
I was thinking PSU but may be graphics as I'd expect the whole thing to just turn off if it was PSU. As others have said, try borrow a PSU of someone, or even try a local PC shop who may be able to test yours for you. That way you can see if its that or not, after that, try a different graphics card if you can and try updating all the drivers for your current graphics card etc.

Good luck,

Dave
 
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