Which component is faulty?

Spuddy · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:02

Today whilst using my computer it has randomly turned itself off a total of 3 times, this is the first time this has happened - no other issues have been present until now.

I'm not doing anything intensive whilst the computer is on, its literally had a Word and Excel document on with Spotify playing in the background. The computer is ageing a bit, its about 8 years old I think maybe? It's got a 2500K cpu (not overclocked AFAIK), the only thing that has changed over the years is the GPU - currently a RX580.

Once the computer shuts down, it doesn't respond to turning back on for a couple of minutes, then will suddenly spring into life once I press the power button again. My instinct tells me its probably the PSU thats at fault as its still the original one from when I got the PC, a BeQuiet 500 or 600W one if I remember correctly (I think its/was 600W).

Is there any way to tell for sure what the problem is without first having to buy a new PSU? Thanks.

wedrum · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:04

check your temps first.

Spuddy · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:06

Sorry for sounding dumb (but I am).

Is there an easy way to do this?

wedrum · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:10

download hwmonitor

Spuddy · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:22

Ok so software is running, still doing normal tasks.

Highest temperature is 44C on 'Package' of the CPU. Doesn't appear to be going any higher than that. Everything else reads high 20's to mid 30's.

Grandmaster Fap! · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:33

Check Event Viewer to see what errors have occurred?

Spuddy · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:38

Grandmaster Fap! said:
Check Event Viewer to see what errors have occurred?

Event type: Critical
Event ID: 41
Source: Kernel-Power
Last Hour: 2
Last 24 hours: 3

So this kernel-power is the origin of all my problems it seems! Hopefully you guys know what it means because I don't have the foggiest.

Grandmaster Fap! · 27 Nov 2018 at 12:51

It could be PSU but it could also be a random driver, installed new drivers for anything lately before this started? Maybe run Prime95 to stress the system, if that doesnt crash it, it could be a driver issue.

Spuddy · 27 Nov 2018 at 13:11

Grandmaster Fap! said:
It could be PSU but it could also be a random driver, installed new drivers for anything lately before this started? Maybe run Prime95 to stress the system, if that doesnt crash it, it could be a driver issue.

Only AMD gpu drivers. I updated yesterday because I noticed that the speakers in my monitor were no longer detected and Spotify would/could only play through my Corsair headphones.

The only change I had made recently was to the AMD gpu driver and when I tried to troubleshoot the problem I noticed it mentioned AMD sound. I updated the driver and restarted the PC and it was fine.

I do keep getting a message (even now) that I need to restart my PC to finish setting up "High Definition Audio Bus" - but if I restart, nothing happens. No updates seem to be available either through windows update?

Grandmaster Fap! · 27 Nov 2018 at 13:52

I would use CCleaner to get rid of any AMD/Nvidia drivers and then delete any sound devices in device manager. Let windows install stuff then fresh install your AMD drivers. Just to rule out any conflicts before moving on to hardware problems like the PSU.

EsaT · 27 Nov 2018 at 18:47

What's the precise model number of PSU?
During years BeQuiet has had lots of just mediocre PSUs made from cheap parts.
And eight years would be far beyond their designed operating time.

Of course something else could be starting to wear out.
But even if cause was in other parts needing replacing I wouldn't connect any more expensive new parts to some old so and so quality PSU in very uncertain condition.

andicole0 · 27 Nov 2018 at 19:25

Kernel power 41 is thr indication tbe pc has crashed and restarted.
In my experience it seems to have been associated with the AMD driver but caused by a poor powere supply.
Andi.

Spuddy · 2 Jan 2019 at 22:30

Grandmaster Fap! said:
I would use CCleaner to get rid of any AMD/Nvidia drivers and then delete any sound devices in device manager. Let windows install stuff then fresh install your AMD drivers. Just to rule out any conflicts before moving on to hardware problems like the PSU.

EsaT said:
What's the precise model number of PSU?
During years BeQuiet has had lots of just mediocre PSUs made from cheap parts.
And eight years would be far beyond their designed operating time.

Of course something else could be starting to wear out.
But even if cause was in other parts needing replacing I wouldn't connect any more expensive new parts to some old so and so quality PSU in very uncertain condition.

andicole0 said:
Kernel power 41 is thr indication tbe pc has crashed and restarted.
In my experience it seems to have been associated with the AMD driver but caused by a poor powere supply.
Andi.

Sorry to revive my older thread and apologies for not replying sooner. I've been away a lot and not had chance to test the PC again.

I've been attempting to start in safe mode to see if there is some sort of driver conflict (I mentioned about the slight audio issue I was having and with the driver notification). I had hoped I could maybe start in safe mode and see if the problem still persisted when I assumed the sound driver would be disabled (??).

However it seems I cant make it past the login screen most of the time before the computer even shuts down now. Im thinking it may be best to just try a new power supply?

If that is the right step forward, can anyone recommend a brand and model. I was thinking perhaps EVGA? PSU would need to fit in a NZXT H440 case.

Grandmaster Fap! · 2 Jan 2019 at 22:54

bequiet Pure Power 700w would be a decent psu for your system and not break the bank. As an afterthought have you checked the power connectors on the psu and mobo to see if nothing is burnt? I recall ages ago my mums pc would randomly shut off, couldnt suss what was causing it till i unplugged the 24pin on the mobo and a far right pin was scorched, mobo and psu in the bin :/

Spuddy · 2 Jan 2019 at 23:07

Grandmaster Fap! said:
bequiet Pure Power 700w would be a decent psu for your system and not break the bank. As an afterthought have you checked the power connectors on the psu and mobo to see if nothing is burnt? I recall ages ago my mums pc would randomly shut off, couldnt suss what was causing it till i unplugged the 24pin on the mobo and a far right pin was scorched, mobo and psu in the bin :/

I hadn't thought about checking for burnt connectors to be honest, although I will look tomorrow when I get chance to drag the system out. The PurePower 700W is ~£97 right now on OCUK. Thats more than I had in mind for a 'not breaking the bank' PSU haha.

Not sure if this gives a clue to the problem but one thing I have noticed, with each subsequent random shut down, the time the system remains on before shutting down gets shorter and shorter.

It'll maybe last a minute or two before shutting down but then the next one is maybe only 30 seconds and gradually seems to get less and less. The power button also does nothing for a while after these shut downs. You cant instantly turn it back on again.

mattyfez · 2 Jan 2019 at 23:26

I'm going with a bad PSU.
Also if the system keeps shutting down, running a torture test like p95 is very bad advice

anthony99 · 3 Jan 2019 at 11:26

last time mine kept shutting down was down to my cpu fan clogged to the max with dust ....just glanced through the thread so might have been mentioned before but it's the first thing i check now.....esp when you say it's 8 yrs old

anthony99 · 3 Jan 2019 at 11:30

could also be worth applying new thermal paste to your cpu as well ....good luck!

weird_dave · 3 Jan 2019 at 12:20

Given the reasonable CPU temps, it's not likely to be that. Given the age of the PSU, its power rating and the fact that there's a 580, I'd be looking at the PSU for sure. For reliability/longevity I've gone all 850W EVGA for my PSUs now, even on a pc with a passive GT 710!

EsaT · 3 Jan 2019 at 13:33

Spuddy said:
I hadn't thought about checking for burnt connectors to be honest, although I will look tomorrow when I get chance to drag the system out. The PurePower 700W is ~£97 right now on OCUK. Thats more than I had in mind for a 'not breaking the bank' PSU haha.

...with each subsequent random shut down, the time the system remains on before shutting down gets shorter and shorter.
It'll maybe last a minute or two before shutting down but then the next one is maybe only 30 seconds and gradually seems to get less and less. The power button also does nothing for a while after these shut downs. You cant instantly turn it back on again.

Not exactly sense making behaviour for bad contact...
Unless overheating and connection breaking contact has some Wolverine heal doing its job when cooling down.

Might be already more than one thing failing there.
But certainly no sense to risk any new parts with old PSU.

But those BeQuiets aren't good choises neither for price or quality.
Bitfenix Formula is starting level for PSU I would consider putting into own PC.
If fixed/non-modular cables are acceptable.
(modular Bitfenix Whisper doesn't seem to be in stock about ever)

Grandmaster Fap! said:
bequiet Pure Power 700w would be a decent psu for your system and not break the bank.

Overpriced second rate PSU.
Already just five year warranty for high end price should give hint about capacitor quality and to how much BeQuiet trusts them to last.

This is lot cheaper and has quality capacitors for higher chances of surviving longer than its longer warranty.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ante...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-24n-an.html

And that £90 level gets PSUs whose manufacturers trust to give them 10 year warranty.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-05q-ss.html
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/antec-hcg-gold-650w-80-plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-24w-an.html