Internet Causing Shutdown

KiTBoH · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:01

I built a computer for my mum not too long ago and since I built it it has been having problems with the internet.
At first it would shut down, seemingly randomly. no BSOD just black screen instantly. Then we tried plugging it into the router via ethernet, since the wireless dongle was old it could have been causing the problems. The same problem still occured.
What's odd about it is that when browsing normal html webpages and the like, it never has problems, but when on flash games, or proper games i.e. rome total war the problems start occuring again.
I have stress tested the computer for 180 mins and it is not overheating that is causing the problem, I think it is something to do with the internet connection but i don't know what.

Has anyone had a similar problem to this before? Any ideas on how to fix it?
Thanks

KiTBoH

BullBoyShoes · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:15

what graphics chip have you got on it and are you sure the drivers are installed correctly

linktoinsanity · 2 Apr 2009 at 10:16

Strange problem. Have you run a virus scan as it could be a malicious user restarting it for you?

Also, which OS are you running?

KiTBoH · 2 Apr 2009 at 12:33

It's running XP 32 bit, with one of the original 8800GT's i think, because it still has asmall fan.

I'm pretty sure I installed the drivers right, yes :/
Haven't done a virus scan but I formatted the hard drive and it still happens.

J.B · 2 Apr 2009 at 13:21

I would say get the latest drivers for the graphics card. Its a very odd problem.

My first thought was a virus but if you've formatted then thats probably not the case.

I would say possibly format again and dont install anything but the bare minimum and go on a flash site and see what happens.

matt_fsr · 2 Apr 2009 at 15:08

I'm not usually one of the "PSU mad" brigade, but it might be the PSU - can you test the PC's graphics card fully using a game of some kind? (or FurMark)

If the PSU is faulty and dying when getting too much load on the GPU when a flash game starts..... just a thought. Test it with a different PSU if you can.

KiTBoH · 2 Apr 2009 at 15:19

Ah that could be it. I got the PSU with a case, I think, but it's getting quite old and the case and PSU cost £50

bledd · 2 Apr 2009 at 15:54

matt_fsr said:
I'm not usually one of the "PSU mad" brigade, but it might be the PSU - can you test the PC's graphics card fully using a game of some kind? (or FurMark)

If the PSU is faulty and dying when getting too much load on the GPU when a flash game starts..... just a thought. Test it with a different PSU if you can.

was going to say the same

flash / games are a bit more intensive, so draw more power.

try another psu.

KiTBoH · 8 Apr 2009 at 19:42

OK, an update after a while :/

I haven't got a spare PSU to test with but.
I stress tested everything, and running furmark stabiltiy test the computer didn't turn off. After 60 minutes it was still going strong, alas, slightly hotter than normal

The CPU and RAM testing I did in Orthos, though, did cause a shutdown, as did Memtest+86.

Would this point to the cause being the memory? I will try testing with one memory stick only and see what happens.
Anyon have any other ideas on what it could be caused by?

bledd · 9 Apr 2009 at 10:31

try with only one stick in.

i've had 2 ram sticks in the past, that pass all mem tests i've tried, but they cause system instability (this was 2 in a batch of about 40 sticks)