mrwooten

Hey guys,

I was browsing Tech support forums to see if anyone else ran into the same problem as me and it looks like I'm not the only one trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with my PC.

I'll give you my system specs here:

Motherboard Product Model: Asus P5AD2 Premium
Motherboard Revision: REV 1.02
Bios Version: 1004(have tested out 1006,1008)

Cpu : Intel Pentium 4 Processor 560
Cpu Speed: 3.6GHZ
Cpu Fan Speed: 2600 RPM
OS Version: WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL
Cpu FSB: 800MHZ
Cpu Temperature(idle): 20/36(Look @ PRoblem Description Below)

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PowerSupply Information:
Power Supply--Brand and wattage; also, please check the +3.3V, +5V, +12V and +5Vsb rails for Amperage ratings

Power Model: HPC-420-102 DF
Brand Name: THERMALTAKE
Wattage: 420

+5V: 40A
+12V: 18A
+3.3V: 30A
+5VSB: 2A

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Memory Information:
Memory--Brand and model; Has the manufacturer approved them for use with this mb?

Memory Model: Model VS1GB533D2
Brand Name: CORSAIR
Total Size: 2GB
Memory Slot #1: CORSAIR VALUESELECT 240-Pin 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200
Memory Slot #2:
Memory Slot #3: CORSAIR VALUESELECT 240-Pin 1GB DDR2 PC2-4200
Memory Slot #4:
Memory Slot #5:

--------------------------------------------------------------
Slot Device Information:
Expansion cards (AGP, PCI )--Brand and model; Installed in which slot?
AGP Slot: N/A
PCI Slot 1: (PCI EXPRESS) ATI X800 XT
PCI Slot 2:
PCI Slot 3:
PCI Slot 4: SOUND BLASTER LIVE 5.1 PLATINUM
PCI Slot 5:
PCI Slot 6:


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ONBOARD IDE DEVICE Information:
Storage Devices (Hard Drives, Optical Drives, Removable Media)--Brand and capacity; Installed on which controller? Master, Slave, or Cable Select? ATA or SATA?
Floppy Drive:
Primary Master: CDROM
Primary Slave:
Secondary Master:
Secondary Slave:
SATA 1: WESTERN DIGITAL 10000RPM 72 GB HARD DRIVE
SATA 2:
Raid primary Master:
Raid primary Slave:
Raid 2ND Master:
Raid 2ND Slave:
SATA 3:
SATA 4:

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Other IO Device Information:
Additional Devices--Brand and type (printer, camera, etc.); How is it connected (USB, PS/2, COM1, etc.)?
PS2 Keyboard: GENERIC
PS2 Mouse:
COM 1:
COM 2:
LPT:
Game Port:
Sound:
1394:
USB 1: LOGITECH MX510 MOUSE
USB 2:



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So thats whats inside my computer. Heres my problem:

I built the computer above with a MCSE trained professional. Everything has been plugged in correctly but my system seems to faulter and I am trying to figure out what my problem would be. I am thinking it may be a motherboard problem because when I was running the old BIOS(1004), my processor would run @ 22 degrees idle. With the new BIOS(1008) it currently runs @ 42 degrees idle. I found this to be VERY strange.

The problem I have with my computer(occured with both old and new BIOS versions installed) is that it will randomly shutdown. I play a game called "Counter-Strike". This game should NOT be too terribly taxing on the system I have built. However, in certain conditions in the game, sometimes my computer will shutdown. Also, when I try and exit the game the computer will shutdown as well.

My computer doesn't just shutdown for "Counter-Strike". It has shutdown when I was listening to music on the computer, browsing the net, or playing other games(Warcraft 3, Doom 3, etc...).

My computer will shutdown on both the new and old bios versions. I have replaced my RAM and I was considering replacing my power supply until I read someone else with a similar problem (DInterface) was running a 600W P/S. If anyone knows what could be wrong with my setup PLEASE HELP.

MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!

Overclocked Doc

Is this not the board in question here? Asus P5AD2 Premium
Assuming it is, your description puzzles me a little. Eg. you mention or show "5" Dimm slots as well as 6 PCI slots.

You are showing your Ram configuration is "Dual channel" mode. Is your Ram Dual channel compatible? Try installing to the same channel (side by each) and then running to see if the problem corrects itself.

mrwooten

Hey Doc,

Sorry about that. I copied and pasted all of that info from a generic form that I filled out from a manufacturer of one of my parts when I started looking for help.

I do have the Asus P5AD2 Premium motherboard. I have tested the RAM in dual channel and side by side and I have the same problem. I have tried out 2 different types of Corsair RAM and both tested fine and the computer will still poweroff.

If I use a BIOS version higher than the 1004 the idle temperature of my system jumps 20-25 degrees. I don't know why this would happen and any insights into this would be helpful and I might even get to the root of my problem through this.

I appreciate the response and hopefully you or someone else can help me solve this mess. Thanks.

-Craig

meritman

I happen to have an new asus board myself. 512 ddr 266 ram, atholon chip.
Replaced an older motherboard with this one changed 512 ram chip for 2-256 chips because I thought might have ram problem. Suffering same random shutdowns. Tried one ram chip at a time .No difference. Temps run about same as yours. Does not appear to overheat. Just shuts down. Everything seems fine on re-boot. I checked the event log for problems with services that might be "restarting the system" because of problems. No obvious problems, but I suspect my problem might be there. Checked BIOS many times see nothing obvious there. Very strange. Thought of returning the Motherboard but don't really want to. Services have been changed around using Black Viper settings for a start. Removed all pci cards. just have mouse keyboard video and on board sound Still looking.

mdeangulo

I have tha same problem as you... I've got an Inspiron 5100, a year new, and all is fabric asembly. A month or two ago the PC started shutting down randomly. I discovered that if i put the vent exit over open air, my PC won't shutt down. It must be a temperature problem, but what do do???? I apreciate if someone has answers....

sssteve72

I can't guarantee this is the answer but its my two cents. Power supply.. Especially if you are running a newer video card that requires a power lead. Like the X800XT from ATI.

Everyone will think they have enough power because the have mega watts... etc... But here is the problem...

Power supply needs to be ATX 12v 2.0 compliant. In other words it needs to be the newer model with the 24pin plug as part of the power supply. Yeah you can use a 20pin connector and an older supply. But it can cause problems. Those 4 extra pins do provide extra power to the board. Basically it makes the system more stable. There was an article about it at www.hardocp.com OF course they were talking about overclocking not random shutdowns. But I still think it could be relevant. I am not saying it is the only answer..

There are not to many power supplies that I found that are currently available either.

Here is a couple.
Antec Neopower 480 Neopower

Coolermaster Realpower RS-450 ACLY Coolermaster

I bought the Coolermaster because it was alot cheaper. Still kind of pricey though. $89.99 ZipZoomFly

Also this could be a temp problem that is designed to protect the CPU. There are settings somewhere that will I believe shutdown if the CPU temp reaches a certain temp. I don't know if it is in the bios settings or if it is something in the asus utilities in windows. I would look at that before anyone runs out to buy a power supply. I only bought one because I had a cheapie and it burnt up.

crazijoe

I would have to lean toward that the newer BIOS is showing the correct temps. P4 Presscott core CPU will tend to run hot (45-50 deg @ idle and 60-65 deg under load). This is normal for this CPU. P4 Northwood CPU will generally run 30-35 idle and 45-50 under load.
Are you running a stock fan and Heatsink with the worthless thermal pad between the CPU and heatsink? The factory Heatsink and fan is sufficiant but I would purchase a good thermal compound like artic silver.
Also check the ventalation of the case. Make sure you have case fans exhausting the heat from your case. Try and run the computer with the side cover off to see if you still have the same problem.

meritman

I tried increasing the vcore voltage from the default of 1.65 to what the asus probe tells me is ~1.76. The machine is now stable and has been for the last few days. Added my cards back in still good. Changed bios vcore voltage in the bios. As this was a new board it was on defaults. Every time it shutdown it reset the bios to the default settings.

Asus probe now shows:

cpu temp 53 C
mb temp 32 c
cpu fan 5000
+12v = 11.904
+5v = 4.757
+3.3 = 3.344
Vcore = 1.76 (default was 1.65)