PC shuts down spontaneously!

Top dog

Top dog

Top dog

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2 Nov 2009
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13
Hi

The last few days after about 1-1.5 hours my PC has shut down. No warning, no delay just instantly off as if it had been unplugged.

If I put it back on instantly it will go off after about 30 seconds. I have to leave it 10-15 mins before I can use it again.

I checked the CPU temp using Easy Tune and it read about 40 which is fine. Ran memcheck and the RAM checked out as fine.

Could the graphics card be overheating?

It is a
Nvidia 8600GTS (was meant to be a short term replacement but never got around to changing it)

Does it sound like an overheating problem and if so what can I do about it? (can't find any temperature monitoring software for GC so can't be sure)

Thanks for any help you can give.
 
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Ok PC shut down 15 mins after turning on today. Any way to check the PSU?

PC is out of warranty with OCUK so that kinda sucks. Anything I can do to see if the pSU is faulty before gettting a new one?

It is a 500W PSU .
 
Might be able to steal one off someone.

Just been reading up and the PSU and Motherboard seem the main culprits for problems like this.
 
First check the PSU fan is running. If the fan has stalled then heat buildup within the PSU would certainly exhibit the kind of failures you are getting. Maybe introduce some additional airflow through the PSU by careful positioning of a desk fan or additional case fan.

What make and model is the PSU by the way?
 
OCZ500SXS is the PSU. All fans seem ok, doesn't feel hot and there doesn't seem to be any dust. Might change the power cable in case its faulty.


Been on now for about 30 mins perfectly. So annoying when it suddenly cuts out.
 
That is a decent PSU but i think the problem is still PSU related.

Defo try and get a different PSU to try, even if you buy one and DSR it a few days later.
 
Just installed HW monitor. Is there any values there that would indicate a fault?

EDIT: All voltage readings are correct.


Under "FANPWM" it says
FANPWM0 0% 0% 0%
FANPWM1 99 99 99
FANPWM2 0 0 0

Is that a normal reading?
 
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That just means that one of your fans is running at 99% and the others are either not connected or are at 0% duty cycle. You've already mentioned your CPU temps though and stated that they were fine.

Voltages might be correct in HWMonitor but the only way to truly depend on voltage readings is by metering them yourself with a multimeter.

Power cables tend to be an item that either work or not work. They don't usually get warm enough to affect the electrical connections but I suppose no harm in trying another one out.
 
Top dog said:
Ok PC shut down 15 mins after turning on today. Any way to check the PSU?
Click to expand...
Open it up and check capacitors.
If any of them has bulged or burst top or has leaked that's 100% sure sign of failure.

And if caps have name CapXon on them they're also pure crap.


burrell said:
That is a decent PSU but i think the problem is still PSU related.
Click to expand...
Barely half decent.
OCZ is very fond of cheap Chinese capacitors.
 
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