Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) - Page 2

GroverXpup · 12-16-2007, 06:40 PM

OK. I've suspected the PSU all along, so I might as well just take the plunge! According to HP, my PSU can only be upgraded to 400w max. So, I guess I'll read Techsupportformum.com's list of recommended ones and compare some prices. Thank you for replying so quickly today so that I can get on with this...

GroverXpup · 12-30-2007, 03:34 PM

OK guys, here's the update. I have tested my voltages with a multimeter and they are in range...NOW WHAT? I was sure the prob was my PSU...I stressed my system with Prime95 for the last hour and voltages are staying the same or barely fluctuating (like from 4.9v to 5.0v on my +5v. My Processor activity is at 100%. What I have noticed is that my Mainboard temp (according to PC Wizard 2008) is like 72C and my HDD is like 48 or 49C right now. If you read my earlier posts in this thread, I've tried like every diagnostic I can think of to try and find out why my PC is randomly shutting down. Any more suggestions??? They would be much appreciated!

Tumbleweed36 · 12-30-2007, 03:39 PM

72c is Too hot for your mainboard regardless of what you are doing. Take the side of the case off and blow a fan in there directly on the CPU and see if it shuts down on you with that fan blowing directly on there.

GroverXpup · 12-30-2007, 03:46 PM

OK, I'll try that. Of course sometimes it works for 8 hours no prob, so it may take a while. Right now (and while Prime95 has been running), I've had my PC open, on it's side and two fans in my room on. However, I haven't tried a fan directly in it. SHould I be looking to see if the temp goes down with a fan or doesn't it matter? Are you now thinking it's not the PSU? I almost ordered one and then thought I'd check the voltages first. Does it sound to you like the PSU is OK?

Tumbleweed36 · 12-30-2007, 04:05 PM

See if the fan makes the temp drop. You might very well have a power supply that is so sporatic that it causes some of these problems. However, let's look and see if we cool it down if that changes anything. I do still think your power supply is causing the shutdowns and that could also be causing heat problems.

If you have a bestbuy or a staples, etc., nearby, then (if you wish), go there (and be sure to buy only a major brand) and buy something like the Antec Trio 650 and put it in. If that solves the issue, then keep it, and if it does not, then take it back for a small restocking fee. That way, nothing lost (except the small restocking fee) and you might gain having it work correctly.

**speedster123** · 12-31-2007, 04:11 AM

How hot is the room temperature?.. down there in Florida?

Did you change out the 200 watt bestec?

GroverXpup · 01-09-2008, 12:53 PM

Here's the update. I tested my voltages with a Multimeter and to my surprise, this PSU is keeping very regular voltages and exactly where they should be (even under load)! So, someone suggested that I open my case and blow a fan directly in there to see if the problem could be the temps. I did this and GUESS WHAT??? No shutdowns in almost a week! I was waiting to write because I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke :) So here's the thing, with an older PC like this, is it possible to get an internal fan that could possible lower the temps as well as this huge standing fan that I have aimed right at my CPU and is blowing the hell out of it? Should I just keep my PC open with the fan on it from now on (this would suck)? What do you guys suggest??? The fan is keeping my CPU at around 40 C and HDD around 42 or 43 C (just surfing the net and things like that, I'm not a gamer).

Also, believe it or not, I now have a NEW problem/question. Yesterday, I had to hook up a new PSC (All in One) printer becuase I had to put my old PSC printer somewhere else in the house. NOW when my new Epson CX9400(Fax) printer is plugged into my computer, it automatically raises my CPU temp around 15 degrees! That is when it's on "standby" or sleeping! NOW WHAT? Now when I run the fan like I was, my CPU is between 52-60 C instead of around 40 C (with the fan on it). Doesn't effect my HDD temps. If it's not one thing it's another, right? So I'm asking yet again for thoughts or comments! Thanks everyone.

**speedster123** · 01-09-2008, 04:39 PM

you need to lose the bestec and get a quality unit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371006
if the case is lacking proper air flo, get another case, or cut a blow hole in the top with a dremal tool and exhaust fan / grill. [protecting the board, naturally]
try reading over the thermal grease instructions in my sig and consider doing a re-apply.

GroverXpup · 01-10-2008, 08:24 AM

While I agree that the Bestec is crap, it is keeping normal voltages. Also, I need a special PSU becuase of the dimensions (micro ATX) and it's probably not possible to just go to New Egg and order one up you know? I did find a couple that would work, but nothing over 400W and not a brand like Antec (I think Athena and Logisys). Is there any way to cool the inside without drilling holes, etc. or is there no hope except for keeping the side open? And what did you think about the new problem with the temps after hooking up the Epson printer? Should I have expected to see that rise in temps or is that weird?

12-16-2007, 06:40 PM	#21 (permalink)
GroverXpup Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) OK. I've suspected the PSU all along, so I might as well just take the plunge! According to HP, my PSU can only be upgraded to 400w max. So, I guess I'll read Techsupportformum.com's list of recommended ones and compare some prices. Thank you for replying so quickly today so that I can get on with this...

12-30-2007, 03:34 PM	#22 (permalink)
GroverXpup Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) OK guys, here's the update. I have tested my voltages with a multimeter and they are in range...NOW WHAT? I was sure the prob was my PSU...I stressed my system with Prime95 for the last hour and voltages are staying the same or barely fluctuating (like from 4.9v to 5.0v on my +5v. My Processor activity is at 100%. What I have noticed is that my Mainboard temp (according to PC Wizard 2008) is like 72C and my HDD is like 48 or 49C right now. If you read my earlier posts in this thread, I've tried like every diagnostic I can think of to try and find out why my PC is randomly shutting down. Any more suggestions??? They would be much appreciated!

12-30-2007, 03:39 PM	#23 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,184 OS: XP Professional	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) 72c is Too hot for your mainboard regardless of what you are doing. Take the side of the case off and blow a fan in there directly on the CPU and see if it shuts down on you with that fan blowing directly on there. __________________ ----------

12-30-2007, 03:46 PM	#24 (permalink)
GroverXpup Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) OK, I'll try that. Of course sometimes it works for 8 hours no prob, so it may take a while. Right now (and while Prime95 has been running), I've had my PC open, on it's side and two fans in my room on. However, I haven't tried a fan directly in it. SHould I be looking to see if the temp goes down with a fan or doesn't it matter? Are you now thinking it's not the PSU? I almost ordered one and then thought I'd check the voltages first. Does it sound to you like the PSU is OK?

12-30-2007, 04:05 PM	#25 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,184 OS: XP Professional	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) See if the fan makes the temp drop. You might very well have a power supply that is so sporatic that it causes some of these problems. However, let's look and see if we cool it down if that changes anything. I do still think your power supply is causing the shutdowns and that could also be causing heat problems. If you have a bestbuy or a staples, etc., nearby, then (if you wish), go there (and be sure to buy only a major brand) and buy something like the Antec Trio 650 and put it in. If that solves the issue, then keep it, and if it does not, then take it back for a small restocking fee. That way, nothing lost (except the small restocking fee) and you might gain having it work correctly. __________________ ----------

12-31-2007, 04:11 AM	#26 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) How hot is the room temperature?.. down there in Florida? Did you change out the 200 watt bestec? __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test Last edited by speedster123 : 12-31-2007 at 04:13 AM.

01-09-2008, 12:53 PM	#27 (permalink)
GroverXpup Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) Here's the update. I tested my voltages with a Multimeter and to my surprise, this PSU is keeping very regular voltages and exactly where they should be (even under load)! So, someone suggested that I open my case and blow a fan directly in there to see if the problem could be the temps. I did this and GUESS WHAT??? No shutdowns in almost a week! I was waiting to write because I wanted to make sure it wasn't a fluke :) So here's the thing, with an older PC like this, is it possible to get an internal fan that could possible lower the temps as well as this huge standing fan that I have aimed right at my CPU and is blowing the hell out of it? Should I just keep my PC open with the fan on it from now on (this would suck)? What do you guys suggest??? The fan is keeping my CPU at around 40 C and HDD around 42 or 43 C (just surfing the net and things like that, I'm not a gamer). Also, believe it or not, I now have a NEW problem/question. Yesterday, I had to hook up a new PSC (All in One) printer becuase I had to put my old PSC printer somewhere else in the house. NOW when my new Epson CX9400(Fax) printer is plugged into my computer, it automatically raises my CPU temp around 15 degrees! That is when it's on "standby" or sleeping! NOW WHAT? Now when I run the fan like I was, my CPU is between 52-60 C instead of around 40 C (with the fan on it). Doesn't effect my HDD temps. If it's not one thing it's another, right? So I'm asking yet again for thoughts or comments! Thanks everyone.

01-09-2008, 04:39 PM	#28 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) you need to lose the bestec and get a quality unit. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371006 if the case is lacking proper air flo, get another case, or cut a blow hole in the top with a dremal tool and exhaust fan / grill. [protecting the board, naturally] try reading over the thermal grease instructions in my sig and consider doing a re-apply. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test Last edited by speedster123 : 01-09-2008 at 04:43 PM.

01-10-2008, 08:24 AM	#29 (permalink)
GroverXpup Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 18 OS: Windows XP Home SP2 My System	Re: Random PC Shutdown (no reboot) While I agree that the Bestec is crap, it is keeping normal voltages. Also, I need a special PSU becuase of the dimensions (micro ATX) and it's probably not possible to just go to New Egg and order one up you know? I did find a couple that would work, but nothing over 400W and not a brand like Antec (I think Athena and Logisys). Is there any way to cool the inside without drilling holes, etc. or is there no hope except for keeping the side open? And what did you think about the new problem with the temps after hooking up the Epson printer? Should I have expected to see that rise in temps or is that weird?