Computer with mind of its own.

L33tzor · 11-24-2008, 03:24 PM

Recently my computer has been powering on and off randomly.
On for a short amount of time, completely powers off and then it will spontaneously power back on!

When I go to power the system on from the time I press the power button to the time the computer actually powers on can vary from instant (like it should be) to a few minutes!

There are currently no peripherals plugged into it. I have checked all connections and the system is running at a healthy temperature.

I think power supply needs replaced.

Opinions?
Cheers

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 06:51 PM

Please list your specs including the brand name and watts of your power supply. Also, with the specs, don't forget the video card brand name and model.

L33tzor · 11-24-2008, 07:03 PM

Motherboard: ASROCK K8Upgrade-VM800
Power Supply: 420W, Brand - Looks like junk, no label
RAM: One stick without a label. Guessing less than 512mb
Video Card: Onboard

Sorry I can't provide more detailed information.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 07:21 PM

Check the temps and voltages in the bios and report back here what they say.

L33tzor · 11-24-2008, 08:21 PM

The BIOS will not load. I tried all of the typical keystrokes for initializing the BIOS. None of them worked. The OS just proceeded to load.

Suggestions?

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 08:29 PM

Hold down that DEL key as soon as you see it start to boot up and don't let up and see what happens.

L33tzor · 11-24-2008, 08:35 PM

Zilch. The keyboard is definitely functioning though, PS2 connection.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-25-2008, 07:14 PM

If you look in your manual, does it say how to enter the Bios?

L33tzor · 11-26-2008, 11:55 AM

Got into the BIOS.
Update on the components:
RAM: 256mb/166MHz DDR333
CPU: AMD Sempron 2800+

Temperatures:
CPU: 78F
M/B: 69F

Voltages:
Vcore: 1.47V, 1.51V, 1.67V, 1.83V (Fluctuating Every Couple Seconds)
+3.3 3.38V
+5.0 5.06V
+12.0 11.87V

Tumbleweed36 · 11-27-2008, 04:20 PM

Most likely your power supply is tanking on you. Do you know anyone who has an extra supply you can try in there to check?

L33tzor · 11-27-2008, 04:57 PM

Yeah I have to put in. But it is only 200Watt I think. With the specs I have given does it really need 420W? What would suffice?

Tumbleweed36 · 11-27-2008, 06:41 PM

We simply do not recommend anyone use less than a 400 to a 500 watt power supply with the needs that a computer has. There are some very good deals on quality power supplies at this time of year.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-27-2008, 06:53 PM

Hi again,

I just found the deal of the year on a 500 watt power supply. This one is $39.99 after mail in rebate and it is one of the best ones made:

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500D 500W

L33tzor · 11-28-2008, 11:57 AM

I am going to order a Power Supply and give it a shot. I will post my results when I have them.

Hopefully that is the solution. Are the voltages supposed to fluctuate at all on the Vcore?

**magnethead** · 11-29-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L33tzor

I am going to order a Power Supply and give it a shot. I will post my results when I have them.

Hopefully that is the solution. Are the voltages supposed to fluctuate at all on the Vcore?

no....period.

i dont like the temp readings myself.

vIrUs_32 · 11-30-2008, 01:00 AM

yea sounds like a power supply issue. either that or your ram is faulty.

11-24-2008, 03:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Computer with mind of its own. Recently my computer has been powering on and off randomly. On for a short amount of time, completely powers off and then it will spontaneously power back on! When I go to power the system on from the time I press the power button to the time the computer actually powers on can vary from instant (like it should be) to a few minutes! There are currently no peripherals plugged into it. I have checked all connections and the system is running at a healthy temperature. I think power supply needs replaced. Opinions? Cheers

11-24-2008, 06:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Please list your specs including the brand name and watts of your power supply. Also, with the specs, don't forget the video card brand name and model. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-24-2008, 07:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Motherboard: ASROCK K8Upgrade-VM800 Power Supply: 420W, Brand - Looks like junk, no label RAM: One stick without a label. Guessing less than 512mb Video Card: Onboard Sorry I can't provide more detailed information.

11-24-2008, 07:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Check the temps and voltages in the bios and report back here what they say. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-24-2008, 08:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. The BIOS will not load. I tried all of the typical keystrokes for initializing the BIOS. None of them worked. The OS just proceeded to load. Suggestions?

11-24-2008, 08:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Hold down that DEL key as soon as you see it start to boot up and don't let up and see what happens. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-24-2008, 08:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Zilch. The keyboard is definitely functioning though, PS2 connection.

11-25-2008, 07:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. If you look in your manual, does it say how to enter the Bios? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-26-2008, 11:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Got into the BIOS. Update on the components: RAM: 256mb/166MHz DDR333 CPU: AMD Sempron 2800+ Temperatures: CPU: 78F M/B: 69F Voltages: Vcore: 1.47V, 1.51V, 1.67V, 1.83V (Fluctuating Every Couple Seconds) +3.3 3.38V +5.0 5.06V +12.0 11.87V

11-27-2008, 04:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Most likely your power supply is tanking on you. Do you know anyone who has an extra supply you can try in there to check? __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-27-2008, 04:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Yeah I have to put in. But it is only 200Watt I think. With the specs I have given does it really need 420W? What would suffice?

11-27-2008, 06:41 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. We simply do not recommend anyone use less than a 400 to a 500 watt power supply with the needs that a computer has. There are some very good deals on quality power supplies at this time of year. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 11-27-2008 at 06:54 PM.

11-27-2008, 06:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,632 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer with mind of its own. Hi again, I just found the deal of the year on a 500 watt power supply. This one is $39.99 after mail in rebate and it is one of the best ones made: PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500D 500W __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 11-27-2008 at 06:55 PM.

11-28-2008, 11:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
L33tzor Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Computer with mind of its own. I am going to order a Power Supply and give it a shot. I will post my results when I have them. Hopefully that is the solution. Are the voltages supposed to fluctuate at all on the Vcore?

11-30-2008, 01:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
vIrUs_32 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: washington state Posts: 162 OS: windows xp home sp3 My System	Re: Computer with mind of its own. yea sounds like a power supply issue. either that or your ram is faulty. __________________ <~~~~~~Teh virus is in teH house!