Strange shutdown

cyberjean · 04-22-2009, 06:09 AM

Hello all,

I have a strange problem here and I am looking for some pointers. I believe the problem is the power supply, but you might think differently...

Ok, I have a 5 year old home build computer running, at this time, Win XP Pro. It was working fine. I just bought a UPS and since then I had 2 strange shutdowns. I start the computer, it goes through the BIOS hardware testing (no problem), windows screen (no problem) but when programs starts to be loaded, the computer shuts down. There is no beep, nothing. If I try to restart it, it will not work. I have to turn the switch off and back on (on the power supply) and then it works. Yesterday, it ran all day with no problem after doing this. This morning it did shut down again but I didn't try to re-start it as I don't want to risk to burn everything!!! Note that my Windows updates are all done and that I am always running both an antivirus and SpyBot, so I doubt it is a virus. Since the problems appeared just after I installed the UPS, the plug I am using might be the problem, though I don't understand why I have to switch the power supply off before the computer can start again. The other plugs ***seems*** to be working fine (screens, 2nd computer always have power). I have opened the computer case and can not visually see any burn, nor smell it. It is fairly dusty though, I will give it a clean... but again, why would it make the computer to shutdown once and then it worked fine??
I really believe the power supply is the problem (I am bit short on cash this month, so I would like to try the other possible problems before to go buy a new one!), but the UPS might as well... any idea?

Thanks,
Jean

oldjoe · 04-22-2009, 08:34 AM

Try the problem PC in a different power plug. Remove the UPC from the circuit.
The problem is a classic symptom of a failing PSU.

cyberjean · 04-24-2009, 06:15 AM

Thanks Joe,

a good cleaning didn't help and the system still fails, even if plugged directly to the wall (so at least it is not the UPS!)... I will go get a new PSU today!

dai · 04-24-2009, 12:00 PM

post your specs before buying,it pays to upgrade it when replacing

04-22-2009, 06:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
cyberjean Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP Pro	Strange shutdown Hello all, I have a strange problem here and I am looking for some pointers. I believe the problem is the power supply, but you might think differently... Ok, I have a 5 year old home build computer running, at this time, Win XP Pro. It was working fine. I just bought a UPS and since then I had 2 strange shutdowns. I start the computer, it goes through the BIOS hardware testing (no problem), windows screen (no problem) but when programs starts to be loaded, the computer shuts down. There is no beep, nothing. If I try to restart it, it will not work. I have to turn the switch off and back on (on the power supply) and then it works. Yesterday, it ran all day with no problem after doing this. This morning it did shut down again but I didn't try to re-start it as I don't want to risk to burn everything!!! Note that my Windows updates are all done and that I am always running both an antivirus and SpyBot, so I doubt it is a virus. Since the problems appeared just after I installed the UPS, the plug I am using might be the problem, though I don't understand why I have to switch the power supply off before the computer can start again. The other plugs *seems* to be working fine (screens, 2nd computer always have power). I have opened the computer case and can not visually see any burn, nor smell it. It is fairly dusty though, I will give it a clean... but again, why would it make the computer to shutdown once and then it worked fine?? I really believe the power supply is the problem (I am bit short on cash this month, so I would like to try the other possible problems before to go buy a new one!), but the UPS might as well... any idea? Thanks, Jean

04-22-2009, 08:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
oldjoe Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 276 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Strange shutdown Try the problem PC in a different power plug. Remove the UPC from the circuit. The problem is a classic symptom of a failing PSU.

04-24-2009, 06:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
cyberjean Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: XP Pro	Re: Strange shutdown Thanks Joe, a good cleaning didn't help and the system still fails, even if plugged directly to the wall (so at least it is not the UPS!)... I will go get a new PSU today!

04-24-2009, 12:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,702 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Strange shutdown post your specs before buying,it pays to upgrade it when replacing __________________