Computer shutting down problem

Meestho · 10-02-2006, 05:09 PM

Hi I'm not sure if this could be a trouble with the power supply or the motherboard and before I go and buy something I would like your opinion.

The trouble in itself is very simple. My computer is always on and sometime(from once or twice a week to once or twice a day). The computer will shut down suddenly. After that if i press on the power switch the fans will start but the computer won't. I need to unplug the electrical wire from the power supply and replugg it and the computer will start again.

The computer is a intel p4 3.2 ghz but i have no clue what the motherboard is beside it's a asus. i got 512 ram. I don't know what other specification you could need.

Thanks in advance

JN

**OMGmissinglink** · 10-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Try replacing the cmos battery.

**Doby** · 10-02-2006, 07:28 PM

If you are monitoring your temps and voltages please post them here.

Its possible it could be overheating, take a look inside if there is a lot of dust built up clean with a can of compressed air, check the cpu heatsink especially.

Be careful using compressed air, keep the can upright don't lay it on its side because this can cause liquid to come out.

It could also be the power supply on its way out that why I asked for the voltages

Meestho · 10-03-2006, 05:38 AM

how can I monitor the temp and voltage, any useful utilities?

JN

**linderman** · 10-03-2006, 08:08 AM

everest home edition free in my sig

you can also find a very handy monitoring program named "sensorview pro" listed in the signature of our Moderator TUMBLEWEED36
Want to buy a new case.

dai · 10-03-2006, 11:10 AM

when it will not immediately restart it indicates overheating
blow the dust out with a can of air and redo the heatsink paste with some arctic silver
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

**Cellus** · 10-06-2006, 06:10 PM

The above instructions should reduce the temperature. If they do not, you may need to consider replacing the heatsink/fan for your CPU with a better alternative.

By the way if you have carpeted floors you should not have your system on the ground, but raised off. This will reduce the intake of dust and other gunk going into your system.

Meestho · 10-14-2006, 09:54 PM

Thanks for the help guys, sorry about the long reply had crazy two weeks. I went and got sensorview pro like you recommended and found out i had a huge problem of heat(it was at 90 celcius). So i went and got my self a can of air to clean it and it worked fine dropping it down at 48 celcius. Now it's running at 51 celcius(124 Farenheit) but it started again restarting. This time though the system doesnt shut down it simply resets.

Here is my voltages

VCoreA : 1,41 V
+3.3V : 3,25 V
+5V : 5,13 V
+12V : 11,70 V
-5V : 2,14 V
-12V : 1,13 V
+5VSB : 4,97 V
+VBAT : 0,83 V

Also i notice in sensor view that it says my cpu fan it not turning but my system fan. Now i see only one fan in front of my cpu and it is working although i have a fan on my case and it is working as well. Anything else i should check.

Thanks in advance again guys(in case I'm out again for a while)

JN

**Doby** · 10-14-2006, 10:26 PM

Usually if the system is overheating it will shut down and not restart till it cools but 51C is a bit high for a at idle temp so this could still be a problem.

Pull the side cover off and make sure the cpu fan is spinning, maybe sensorview is just not reporting it.

This is important so check it right away

Your voltages are within spec but the +12v is a little low.

When you have the side cover off check the decal on the side of the psu, tell us what brand and model the psu is and list the amps of the +3.3v, +5v and +12V. All of this info should be there.

Meestho · 10-15-2006, 06:06 AM

Ok i've done what you asked, thanks again here are the results.

Fan is turning. Now there was again a little bit of dust so i cleaned it. My computer is near a carpet floor, it's elevated about 3-4 inches from the ground by phone book(i dont have any other place)

By cleaning the fan it went to 43-44 celcius.

Now for the amp

+5V : 36A
+12V : 18A
+3.3V : 31A

Voilà. Thanks again

dai · 10-15-2006, 10:09 AM

those amp readings look like they are from and an old psu did you upgrade the computer and ignore the psu
if you are running pcie there are not enough amps on the 12+ line

Meestho · 10-15-2006, 03:38 PM

nope thats the power supply that came with the computer when i bought it. I had no specification regarding it, it broke down and they replaced it.

jn

**Doby** · 10-15-2006, 05:31 PM

Is it still shuting down now that the idle cpu temp is down to 43C ?

Continue to monitor the cpu temp and that weak +12V @11.7, see what there at when the shutdown/reboot occurs if possible. I am leaning toward the psu it seems you have the heat under controll since the computer now restarts instead of just shutting down.

Let me explain, when bios senses a cpu overheat it shuts the computer down and you have to wait till it cools till you can start it again but now that the computer reboots not turn itself off suggests to me that one of the voltage rails on the psu is falling off causing this.

Hope fully we can pinpoint this a little more before recommending parts be replaced

**PanamaGal** · 10-15-2006, 05:41 PM

I'm thinking the power supply needs to be replaced.

Snake21605 · 10-16-2006, 07:34 AM

I have had similar issues. All leading to differnt components, going from RAM to HD to PSU.

From what I am getting I would think either the CPU is not giving a correct temp due to a bad CMOS (try flashing MB and replacing the battery). The CPU might be overheating causing the shutdown and needing to re-plug the system. As far as I know the CPU overheating is the only thing to make you have to re-plug the system to make it boot. So that is my first guess.

Otherwise it may be the PSU as stated above.

Wish I could give you an exact answer.

-Snake

Meestho · 10-17-2006, 02:49 PM

after checking the problem is still persisting maybe resetting 2 or 3 times a day easily. The temperature is still the same 43 celcius and the voltage doesn't change as well. But why would it suddenly do this problem after one year of working properly have any idea?

JN

**Doby** · 10-17-2006, 03:46 PM

It may also help to turn on BSODs in your computer properties. That way you can have some idea as to what's causing Windows to die, if it isn't a hardware issue.

This can be done by right clicking "my computer"->properties->Advanced->Startup and Recovery Settings
Uncheck the "Automatically restart checkbox.

If you get the BSOD, post the error and DLL that is causing it.

I think you should also try another psu

Meestho · 10-18-2006, 05:38 PM

so i got another psu now we'll see if this make a difference. just a note the +12v is still at 11,50 think thats normal?

JN

**Doby** · 10-18-2006, 05:44 PM

No that really is not normal, what psu did you get?

I would run the system for awhile and see what happens

10-02-2006, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	Computer shutting down problem Hi I'm not sure if this could be a trouble with the power supply or the motherboard and before I go and buy something I would like your opinion. The trouble in itself is very simple. My computer is always on and sometime(from once or twice a week to once or twice a day). The computer will shut down suddenly. After that if i press on the power switch the fans will start but the computer won't. I need to unplug the electrical wire from the power supply and replugg it and the computer will start again. The computer is a intel p4 3.2 ghz but i have no clue what the motherboard is beside it's a asus. i got 512 ram. I don't know what other specification you could need. Thanks in advance JN

10-02-2006, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 6,996 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	If you are monitoring your temps and voltages please post them here. Its possible it could be overheating, take a look inside if there is a lot of dust built up clean with a can of compressed air, check the cpu heatsink especially. Be careful using compressed air, keep the can upright don't lay it on its side because this can cause liquid to come out. It could also be the power supply on its way out that why I asked for the voltages __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF Last edited by Doby : 10-02-2006 at 07:29 PM. Reason: spelling

10-03-2006, 08:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,946 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	everest home edition free in my sig you can also find a very handy monitoring program named "sensorview pro" listed in the signature of our Moderator TUMBLEWEED36 Want to buy a new case. __________________ IF you want or have a high end video card; you should be thinking high end PSU / SEASONIC

10-03-2006, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,502 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	when it will not immediately restart it indicates overheating blow the dust out with a can of air and redo the heatsink paste with some arctic silver http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm __________________

10-06-2006, 06:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,526 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	The above instructions should reduce the temperature. If they do not, you may need to consider replacing the heatsink/fan for your CPU with a better alternative. By the way if you have carpeted floors you should not have your system on the ground, but raised off. This will reduce the intake of dust and other gunk going into your system. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

10-02-2006, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
OMGmissinglink TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,181 OS: XP Pro sp2 My System	Try replacing the cmos battery.

10-03-2006, 05:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	how can I monitor the temp and voltage, any useful utilities? JN

10-14-2006, 09:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	Thanks for the help guys, sorry about the long reply had crazy two weeks. I went and got sensorview pro like you recommended and found out i had a huge problem of heat(it was at 90 celcius). So i went and got my self a can of air to clean it and it worked fine dropping it down at 48 celcius. Now it's running at 51 celcius(124 Farenheit) but it started again restarting. This time though the system doesnt shut down it simply resets. Here is my voltages VCoreA : 1,41 V +3.3V : 3,25 V +5V : 5,13 V +12V : 11,70 V -5V : 2,14 V -12V : 1,13 V +5VSB : 4,97 V +VBAT : 0,83 V Also i notice in sensor view that it says my cpu fan it not turning but my system fan. Now i see only one fan in front of my cpu and it is working although i have a fan on my case and it is working as well. Anything else i should check. Thanks in advance again guys(in case I'm out again for a while) JN

10-14-2006, 10:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 6,996 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Usually if the system is overheating it will shut down and not restart till it cools but 51C is a bit high for a at idle temp so this could still be a problem. Pull the side cover off and make sure the cpu fan is spinning, maybe sensorview is just not reporting it. This is important so check it right away Your voltages are within spec but the +12v is a little low. When you have the side cover off check the decal on the side of the psu, tell us what brand and model the psu is and list the amps of the +3.3v, +5v and +12V. All of this info should be there. __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

10-15-2006, 06:06 AM	#10 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	Ok i've done what you asked, thanks again here are the results. Fan is turning. Now there was again a little bit of dust so i cleaned it. My computer is near a carpet floor, it's elevated about 3-4 inches from the ground by phone book(i dont have any other place) By cleaning the fan it went to 43-44 celcius. Now for the amp +5V : 36A +12V : 18A +3.3V : 31A Voilà. Thanks again

10-15-2006, 10:09 AM	#11 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,502 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	those amp readings look like they are from and an old psu did you upgrade the computer and ignore the psu if you are running pcie there are not enough amps on the 12+ line __________________

10-15-2006, 03:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	nope thats the power supply that came with the computer when i bought it. I had no specification regarding it, it broke down and they replaced it. jn

10-15-2006, 05:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 6,996 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	Is it still shuting down now that the idle cpu temp is down to 43C ? Continue to monitor the cpu temp and that weak +12V @11.7, see what there at when the shutdown/reboot occurs if possible. I am leaning toward the psu it seems you have the heat under controll since the computer now restarts instead of just shutting down. Let me explain, when bios senses a cpu overheat it shuts the computer down and you have to wait till it cools till you can start it again but now that the computer reboots not turn itself off suggests to me that one of the voltage rails on the psu is falling off causing this. Hope fully we can pinpoint this a little more before recommending parts be replaced __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

10-15-2006, 05:41 PM	#14 (permalink)
PanamaGal Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Posts: 1,240 OS: WinXP Pro SP2; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista Ultimate; Vista Business	I'm thinking the power supply needs to be replaced. __________________ It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.

10-16-2006, 07:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
Snake21605 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 164 OS: XP Home	I have had similar issues. All leading to differnt components, going from RAM to HD to PSU. From what I am getting I would think either the CPU is not giving a correct temp due to a bad CMOS (try flashing MB and replacing the battery). The CPU might be overheating causing the shutdown and needing to re-plug the system. As far as I know the CPU overheating is the only thing to make you have to re-plug the system to make it boot. So that is my first guess. Otherwise it may be the PSU as stated above. Wish I could give you an exact answer. -Snake __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 2GB DDR2 Corsair Balistix eVGA eGeFore 8800GTS SuperClocked 320MB X-Fi Fata1ty Sound Card

10-17-2006, 02:49 PM	#16 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	after checking the problem is still persisting maybe resetting 2 or 3 times a day easily. The temperature is still the same 43 celcius and the voltage doesn't change as well. But why would it suddenly do this problem after one year of working properly have any idea? JN

10-17-2006, 03:46 PM	#17 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 6,996 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	It may also help to turn on BSODs in your computer properties. That way you can have some idea as to what's causing Windows to die, if it isn't a hardware issue. This can be done by right clicking "my computer"->properties->Advanced->Startup and Recovery Settings Uncheck the "Automatically restart checkbox. If you get the BSOD, post the error and DLL that is causing it. I think you should also try another psu __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

10-18-2006, 05:38 PM	#18 (permalink)
Meestho Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 21 OS: Windows Xp	so i got another psu now we'll see if this make a difference. just a note the +12v is still at 11,50 think thats normal? JN

10-18-2006, 05:44 PM	#19 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 6,996 OS: XP sp2/ Vista	No that really is not normal, what psu did you get? I would run the system for awhile and see what happens __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF