computer randomly shuts off.. power supply problem?

**vanik** · June 23rd, 2003, 05:46 PM

Hi.
Ever since I moved to a new place a few days ago my computer has randomly been shutting off. I can sometimes reproduce it in certain situations (starting a game, for example), but as of late its getting worse and I can barely do anything after booting. After it shuts off, when you turn it back on everything seems to run but I don't get an output to my monitor and there aren't any beeps or anything. If you restart again though its back to semi-normal until it shuts down again. I thought this was the graphics card so I switched to a geforce fx 5600 (i was going to anyway after my old one burned out) from an old nvidia tnt.
The rest of the computer stats are:

athlon xp 2200
512M ram
asus a7v333 mobo
sblive audigy
generic network card
sony dvd-rw
400w power supply

in an antec case with about 5 fans..

i've reconnected everything a few times, taken out and looked at the power supply, and tried to wipe and install an operating system but i haven't been able to get it running long enough to do so..

from the similar questions i've read this might be a power supply problem... but any help is very appreciated.. i want to make sure thats what it is before i spring for a new psu

**shawshank62** · June 23rd, 2003, 05:57 PM

random shuting off, sounds like a p/s problem to me. what make is the power supply? how old?

**beppodmime** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:00 PM

During the move, something may have come loose. Did you already re-seat the other components in the system? I would remove and replace all cables and power cords, remove and reseat the RAM and remove and reseat the HSF. I would try that and then see what happens.

**MrLuigi** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:06 PM

Might want to check polarity of your wall plug.
Builders are notorious for reversing polarity.
I used to do building inspections for real estate transactions and 75% of the time I'd find wall sockets with either the ground disconnected or reversed polarity and it did not matter if the building was old or brand new.

**Eraserhead** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:06 PM

Random shutdowns may be due to overheating. Check your fans are working, particularly the CPU fan.
If everything in your PC seems to be working fine, including the PS, check the power outlet you're using - it might be blacking out, causing a loss of power and a shutdown (unless you're using a UPS :-)
Try a different wall socket.

**vanik** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:17 PM

The PSU is actually an Antec 430watt now that I look at it. It's less than a year old. I did reseat all the components and didn't get any results..

The power outlet itself has several other devices (tv, etc.) hooked up to it.. but I haven't the foggiest how to check on the polarity.

The CPU temp seems to be in good shape, I have enough time to get into my BIOS and it reads about 50C or so even with all the components attached.

**shawshank62** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:37 PM

try hooking the pc into its own outlet (i would get a surge protector if i were you). i dont know much about electrical stuff but maybe by having the computer plugged into its own outlet away from the other stuff it wont get surges or stuff.....i have no idea what im talking about......

**Manfordjinsen** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:46 PM

I've had the same problems with a computer at work, I replaced the power supply, tried a new agp video card, a new pci video card, tried it with nothing but the motherboard connected, I finally narrowed it down to a few blown capacitors on the motherboard so I replaced the motherboard and it has worked fine since. Look at the tops of the capacitors on your motherboard, if any of them are leaking or are bulged they may be blown and I would think that would most likely be your problem

**vanik** · June 23rd, 2003, 06:53 PM

Hmm.. the capacitors all seem ok.. can the motherboard still be damaged?

**Eraserhead** · June 23rd, 2003, 07:01 PM

I'm with Shawshank on the outlet problem - even if the power outlet has nothing to do with your PC shutting off, it's advisable to minimise the number of appliances plugged into one socket, the TV especially, which pulls alot of juice from the mains supply. You're in danger of overloading the socket. If you're using a multi plug adaptor to plug several appliances in, the worst that'll happen is that the fuse on the strip might blow, but even so...

**vanik** · June 23rd, 2003, 07:14 PM

Ok.. checked a different outlet.. still the same problem :/

**Omardeth** · June 23rd, 2003, 10:40 PM

i gotta go with bad power supply . that is the most common cause for this problem . i just ram'd a antec tru550 . i replaced it the problem stopped ... because it is an antec power supply doesn't mean it isn't bad . i paid big bucks for it so it piss me off . the 40$ raidmax 400 watt power supply replaced the antec tru550 and i haven't had a problem ....

**vanik** · June 24th, 2003, 03:35 PM

Tried a new 400w power supply.. same problem :/

**vanik** · June 24th, 2003, 03:40 PM

I guess the problem is most likely in the motherboard then.. can anyone think of anything else?

**ussenterprise** · June 24th, 2003, 03:52 PM

I'd check the thermal pad on the Heatsink. Could be that during the hot day you described, the thermal pad may have "melted" beyond what it should (though, I've never seen that, and, its probably the cheapest part to replace.)
HTH

**tonyromen** · June 24th, 2003, 04:02 PM

Could it be bad ram? On my build previous to the one I had now, I had a stick of generic ram, and had similar problems. I swapped it with a stick of kingson and everything was honky dory after that!

-t

**Omardeth** · June 24th, 2003, 05:31 PM

can you list the specs of the power supply please . if you got a same power supply but it has the same specs as the last one wouldn't you still have the same problem ?