Shadow9999

HI ive got a problem thats been bugging me for months now.

when i use the pc (winxp sp2) and run programs that require more memory than others like converting movie files burning playing halo etc... after some minutes the pc turns off it dosent shut down just turns off unexpected.
I had the pc for 4 yrs now and never had a problem with it until now.

at first i thought it probly was my hard drive dying its 120GB btw then i used my original hard drive a 40GB and discovered that the 40GB turned off less often than the 120GB.
so now im thinking its my power supply but i dont have a multi meter or the skills to test if its a power supply problem since im sort of a newb on power skill and im afraid i could kill myself

i used another pc (vista) and that never turned off on me so i dont think its my house plugs but i still cant completely blame the power supply since i dont have proof but i hope i can get help or some tips here i can give detailed info on my specs if needed thanx.

manic

List system specs, power supply included, wattage and brand,,

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Shadow9999

Number of processors 1
Number of cores 1 per processor
Number of threads 1 (max 1) per processor
Name Intel Celeron 325
Code Name Prescott
Specification Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.53GHz
Package Socket 478 mPGA
Family/Model/Stepping F.3.3
Extended Family/Model F.3
Core Stepping C0
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 2532.8 MHz
Multiplier x Bus speed 19.0 x 133.3 MHz
Rated Bus speed 533.2 MHz
Stock frequency 2533 MHz
Instruction sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
L1 Data cache 16 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Trace cache 12 Kuops, 8-way set associative
L2 cache 256 KBytes, 4-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Chipset & Memory
Northbridge Intel i845G rev. B1
Southbridge Intel 82801DB (ICH4) rev. 02
Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 768 MBytes
Memory Frequency 133.3 MHz (1:1)
CAS# Latency (tCL) 2.5 clocks
RAS# to CAS# (tRDC) 3 clocks
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 3 clocks
Cycle Time (tRAS) 6 clocks
System
System Manufacturer Compaq Presario 061
System Name PC182A-ABA SR1103WM NA430
System S/N CNC4230B7D
Mainboard Vendor MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Mainboard Model Gamila/Giovani/Neon series
BIOS Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Version 3.26
BIOS Date 05/09/2005
Memory SPD
Module 1 DDR, PC2700 (166 MHz), 256 MBytes, Infineon
Module 2 DDR, PC2100 (133 MHz), 512 MBytes, Nanya Technology
Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c

im not sure if i provided enough info on the power supply but i can find out more if possible I also wanted to say before the pc turns off my monitor starts to shake the screen like little waves mins before it turns off.
I also wanted to know if switching the number below the power connector 115 to 230 will have any difference i have it set in 115 thanx

Tumbleweed36

Take the side of the case off and look on the side of the power supply. It tell brand names and watts.

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Shadow9999

ok here's what i got:
Bestec
Model: ATX-250-12Z Rev D2
Input: 100-127v-6A 200-240V-3A 50/60HZ
BST ATX-250-12Z D
Output +12V/ 14A -12V/ 0.8A
250W Max +5V/ 25A +_5VSB/ 2A peak 2.5A
+3.3V/ 18A+5V & +3.3V 165W Max +5V & +12V 218W Max

this is basically all the info about the psu i hope its nothing serious thanx

Tumbleweed36

Just a quick guess, but I suspect your power supply is going "South." Bestec is a very weak power supply to start with and as they age, they get weaker. A third consideration is that the one you have is very low wattage and that spells trouble for components as this Bestec is most likely (or has been a long time) near it's capacity to produce. If it were mine, I would find something a little larger and replace it.

Do you know anyone who has a better supply you could simply try in this rig?

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Shadow9999

well i do got another pc i could try it there even though i tried that pc and it dosent give me problems, but what you are saying is that my current power supply could be possibly dying then?

i could try changing the power supply from the pc i got that works good the thing is, can you give me any link to a guide on changing power supply's this is my first time messing with it and im a little afraid i could end up shocking myself to death :P

manic

Dont change the power setting from 115v to 220v. Here in northern
america we run on 110v, in other parts of the world they run on
220v. One of your motherboard manuals should explain in detail
how to install new psu....Pretty straight forward, as most if not
all connectors can only go one way...

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Shadow9999

oh well i guess i got no choice but to try a different psu ok ill see what i can do. I do live in the us so i wont need to change 115v to 220v thanx ill post if i can succeed in solving the problem.

!I am Newb!

xxxxx

alpweb

if your power supply is weak , remove the power from the optical drive (cd/cdr/dvd) and try it out for a while might help u. if power supply is causing the problem.

Clean dust if there are any. check from cpu fan and smps fan also. if it is getting hotter it might shuts down.

check out the capacitors if it is FAT size compare with others even that might lead to the problem

Shadow9999

I am Newb! - yeah i wont waste money on an old pc best thing is ill try keeping it alive a while longer i need a new one cuz its really outdated now.

alpweb - its a great idea ill try unplugging my cd/dvd drives to not use alot of power and ill post on how it goes and ill give it a good clean also thanx for the tip.

dai

90%+ power is pulled by the cpu and video disconnecting drives will not make much difference
one of your friends who has upgraded probably has a 450w lying around they could give you

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Shadow9999

yeah i can see it still kept shutting down even by disconnecting the cd drives so i by what everyone says the real problem is my psu its dying so the only choice is by replacing it if most people say it is then i will replace it thanx

Jamsers

Check this guys. I set the RAM and CPU frequency to 166 Mhz(DDR333, 2.5Ghz out of 3 Ghz), and it totally fixed the problem, although my computer's much slower now.

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mr.futurebillgates