[Miggsthejust]

Hi everyone, I hope this is the right place for this.

starting a couple months ago I began to have this issue of my computer doing a hard shutdown at first seemingly randomly. I have now been able to narrow the issue down to whenever data is being downloaded.

Streaming video seems to be the worst; the computer will only last between 2-30 seconds before shutting down, but it also occurs when downloading multiple files

specs are:

mobo: MSI K9N Platinum (MS-7250)
Processor : AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ @ 2000 MHz
Chipset : nVidia nForce 570 Ultra
Physical Memory : 2048 MB (4 x 512 DDR2-SDRAM )
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service Pack 3
Power: 450 watt Antec sp-450

I have attempted the following fixes:

- reinstalled windows

- virus scanned including boot scan.

- updating display drivers/ uninstalling display drivers

- changing and disabling network ports. also installed another network card to try it.

- CPU heat monitoring. cpu heat stays around 31 C and at most reaches 44 C. shutdown appears unrelated. GPU never goes above 55 C

- Dust. Fully removed mobo, cpu and thoroughly cleaned for dust. also dusted fans.

- uninstalled flash player, reinstalled. reinstalled earlier version.

- updated bios version



Frankly, I've run out of ideas. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

as an update, the computer is also shutting down when transferring files across the network. Could this be a problem with writing to the hard drive?

I don't want to keep bumping this but does anyone have any ideas? Do I need to add any information?

 

[mcorton]

Is this a desktop or laptop? What OS? What brand or is it custom built? What do you use the computer for? ie: gaming, surfing, server etc.? It sounds like it might be a power unit or memory problem. To test memory it's a pain but you can test them one at a time to see if they work and windows recognizes them. Let us know more about you computer and remember it's Friday so please be patient and don't get frustrated.

 

[Miggsthejust]

This is a desktop, OS Xp sp3. Custom built. I have gone through removing each ram stick individually and running memtest but still no luck there.

still not having any luck. Any ideas no matter how crazy would be appreciated.

 

[dai]

upgrade your power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=corsair+550w

 

[Miggsthejust]

So I went and picked up that exact model of power supply (corsair vx550w) and its an awesome supply, but it didn't fix my shutdown problem.

I also tried out a different power cable and power bar to make sure it wasn't those either. no change.

I forgot to mention earlier that the problem doesn't occur in safe mode; i'm able to watch streaming video just fine there.

Any other thoughts?

 

[dai]

try a windows restore to a date when all was ok

if successful note which software or drivers is then missing one of these will be he cause

 

[Miggsthejust]

I dont think ill be able to because I've already done a full windows reinstall to fix the problem. Unfortunately it didnt help.

 

[dai]

when the problem does not occur in safe mode it usually indicates software or drivers as the cause

check the event viewer for anything listed at the time of the shutdown

 

[Miggsthejust]

So an update to this problem: I've now discovered that the computer is having trouble with sound drivers being installed.

At first I thought my sound card was causing the trouble but I have since tried another card and the onboard sound and when either have drivers installed the shutdowns occur. without sound everything's gravy but I'd like to have my sound.

dai: no events seem to be occurring at the time of the shutdown according to the viewer

 

[dai]

when installing the sound drivers disable a/virus while installing

d/load and run the h/drive makers diagnostic utility on the h/drive

http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287

check the ram voltage range on the makers site and see if you have room to lift it

if it were the drivers you would expect a bsod and something listed in the event viewer

see if you can get a error message with the auto reboot turned off

turn off the auto reboot
control panel /system/advanced/startup and recovery settings
then untick the auto reboot box
post any bsod error messages the computer freezes on in full