Computer shuts down (symptoms listed)

[alexzar14]

Hello, I have a home built PC built in 2007 or 08 bsed on input provided on this forum.
Asus P5E board
Core 2 Duo (by now a subject of "antique" I suppose) 3.0GHz default state.
OSZ power supply 700W

First symptoms showed up 6 months ago when I was not able to turn it "on" with an "on" button.
It did NOT shut it self off then, the problem was in getting it "on". What I did was unplugging the cable off the PSU, then plugging it back, resetting the switch.

...Now, 6 months later, it shuts it self off not only during operation, but also during start up, before it gets to the desk top.
So to me this does not look like a virus, I am thinking it is the PSU I must replace, but I ned a confirmation from someone who knows better (I'm not a pro in this field)

If this looks to you like a CPU, what new CPU do you recommend? (Antec model preffered, I have more luck with that name)
If this isn't a PSU, then what?

[Irocx]

If it's not your PSU (make sure all connections are tight, re-seat if neccesary) I'd look to a failing hardrive - I've had the same symtpoms several times and the HD's had bad sectors. To verify you can download a free version of HDTach or HDTune and run a quick scan. Otherwise, you can also identify bad sectors using Windows native scandisk, but be prepared to let it run overnight.

Heat could also be an issue - are your cpu/psu fans running and clean? While your at it make sure the rest of your system is rid of dust bunnies.

Another thing to check is your ram - remove and re-seat your memory sticks - I've seen them slightly pop out of the socket near the corner sometimes.

Hope it helps

[Anubis]

I would open the case and clean the inside with compressed air and re-check the PSU connectors.

Also, it may be worth to have a look at the Event Log of your OS, the system section. Maybe you can find some info there.

Paolo

[napamule2]

Yeah, sure, maybe the Event Log will tell you if you have an overheating problem (video card, PSU Heat Sink loose, shorted switch) or a loose connection, or if your PSU is going. Maybe. I don't know. But just maybe. You have to look for 'info' in there. May be 'well worth it' (ha). I hope this helped (another ha).
Chuck B
Napamule

[fxsttcb]

Yeah, sure, maybe the Event Log will tell you if you have an overheating problem (video card, PSU Heat Sink loose, shorted switch) or a loose connection, or if your PSU is going. Maybe. I don't know. But just maybe. You have to look for 'info' in there. May be 'well worth it' (ha). I hope this helped (another ha).
Chuck B
Napamule

It might not give indications of those things but will log program errors and other symptoms that may not be hardware related.

ASUS' BIOS should have a system monitor/health/whatnot screen where you can see the actual voltages of your PSU as the mobo sees them.
There are also freeware realtime monitors that display voltage and temp.

Run Memtest. Memory errors can get thru the boot sequence without event, but, will shut you down in a hurry. Good luck.

Happy Holidays...Don

[angels355]

I have a computer that does that, I've tried many things. Something is really messed up. I think it's the motherboard. I think it's a lost cause, perhaps diagnose what is working and what is not and salvage what you can.

1. Look inside the psu grate, is there is any white taffy or burst/leaking capacitors, if so it's bad and a hazard to other motherboards.
2. Run memtest for the memory. Check with crucial.com to see if you have the correct memory.
3. Look at the motherboard, look for any swollen, burst, or leaking capacitors, if so the motherboard is toast, save the other components. Do you have a stout surge protector? Have you had any power outages?
4. Is it overclocked? Set it back to standard settings
5. Clean the processor and heatsink, apply a thin coat of new heatsink goop and see if that helps.

I think your system is not doing well at all, and perhaps you should examine what you can salvage and start building a new system.

[HoratioWondersocks]

Hello, I have a home built PC built in 2007 or 08 bsed on input provided on this forum.
Asus P5E board
Core 2 Duo (by now a subject of "antique" I suppose) 3.0GHz default state.
OSZ power supply 700W

First symptoms showed up 6 months ago when I was not able to turn it "on" with an "on" button.
It did NOT shut it self off then, the problem was in getting it "on". What I did was unplugging the cable off the PSU, then plugging it back, resetting the switch.

...Now, 6 months later, it shuts it self off not only during operation, but also during start up, before it gets to the desk top.
So to me this does not look like a virus, I am thinking it is the PSU I must replace, but I ned a confirmation from someone who knows better (I'm not a pro in this field)

If this looks to you like a CPU, what new CPU do you recommend? (Antec model preffered, I have more luck with that name)
If this isn't a PSU, then what?

Hello
This happened to my pc about two months ago. Exactly as you describe.I did all the things described by your other posters IE clean with air duster(pc wasnt very dusty anyway) cleaned out the cpu fan ,reseated ram,GCard et etc etc. What finally solved it was a new PSU and HARD DRIVE .The guy from the computer shop said he could not be absolutely sure if it was one or the other so replaced both ( I needed a new bigger internal drive anyway)I didn't cost THAT much either and since then no problems and my PC is even more Dinosaurial than yours.
Andy

[Anubis]

If it is an HD slowly degrading you should be able to get more information from the S.M.A.R.T. built-in system (again, look into the Event Viewer, system section).

Paolo

[fxsttcb]

If the Hard Drive is suspect, HDtune is free(google) and will thoroughly test your drive(s)...Don

Merry Christmas!