PCs powering off

Pumpkinstew · 5 May 2011 at 20:21

I have two PC's in the study here both of which have just started powering off without warning.

I got back from an overnight trip to find that the machine i use as a fileserver had powered off while I was away. Didn't think too much of it but when i tried to power back on it powered off agin before finishing booting up. It's only been running a couple of weeks so I just assumed something had gone pop and I'd have to replace it, annoying but no big deal.

Then I turned my main PC on and although it seemed fine for about half an hour it then did the same thing. Click. Off. :eek:

Powered it on again, ok for half an hour or so and then. Click. Off. No BSOD or any other warnings.
So I could understand if something had gone in the file server, the PSU in it is new but the rest is all old bits from the spares box, but my main PC has been super steady for over two years.

They were plugged into the same wall socket but on different power strips.

Anyone experience anything similar? Thanks for any help offered.

Garonazz · 5 May 2011 at 20:23

If they both do it then it's unlikely its the PC hardware. Almost 100% sure its something to do with your main power in the house.

Admiral Huddy · 5 May 2011 at 20:26

Both?? What happens if you try another power socket.. Different room?

I'm wondering if you've had a power surge that's damaged them both.

Check your PSU(s) are working by following my guide here:

http://www.huddysworld.co.uk/index....rking&catid=40:techie-talk-hardware&Itemid=72

Failing that, i'd certainly get an electrician in.

Pumpkinstew · 5 May 2011 at 20:27

I did wonder about that so I tried moving the fileserver to another socket, and saw the same issue. No evidence of problems elsewhere in the house either, like cooker clock flashing 00:00.

Garonazz · 5 May 2011 at 20:36

Then it's a possibility like Huddy said, maybe both PSU's got fried or the like. Maybe if you can, try out a friend PSU in one of the machines and see if the problem still persists.

Pumpkinstew · 5 May 2011 at 20:42

I have the spare that came out of the file server which I can swap in tomorrow.

Any suggestions on what to look for to identify it as power surge damage, and if so what might the cause be?

westom · 6 May 2011 at 00:44

Pumpkinstew said:
Any suggestions on what to look for to identify it as power surge damage, and if so what might the cause be?

If you have surge damage, then neither PSU works at all.

Now, what determines when a computer powers on or off? Power controller. The power supply only does what the power controller tells it to do. Most do not know the many components of a power supply system. Assume the PSU is the entire power 'system'.

To know what is defective means providing important numbers from six wires. That labor is a full minute. Requires a tool that even sells in ****** for £7. If you buy or borrow a multimeter, then ask here for what to measure. The one minute of labor.

You have two choices. Measure three digit numbers so that the better informed can report, without wild speculation, why your system is powering off. Or just start replacing good parts until something works again. Those are your only two choices.

Curious as to why both machines would react simultaneously. An indicator that might suggest more is to monitor incandescent light bulb intensity. A power controller will power off a PSU if a light bulb dims to less than 40% intensity. Just another of so many inputs that a power controller monitors. A multimeter would confirm this and report on too many other things to list. Otherwise just randomly replace every part as others have already suggested.