Computer powers off randomly

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Guest

My PC will powers off randomly. There is no one function that causes it. I
can be running a program or sending an email or it could be sitting in an
idle state with no running processes and shuts down. Sometimes it will run
for days and sometimes it will only stay on for 20 minutes or so. Pressing
the power button will not restart the computer unless I first shut off the
power supply switch for a period of time.

My system is a three year old ABS.
Windows XP Home SP1 all updates.
AMD64 3400
Award F11 BIOS
Gigabyte, GA-K8N PRO Mother Board.
Fortron 530watt ATX power supply.
Coolermaster cooler

What I do not think is causing the problem.

I have clean and steady input line power off a Conext UPS.
I am virus and spyware free.
The system is clean and dust free.
All the fans are running.
If I monitor CPU temp in the BIOS it is good (32C - 35C).
I inspected the MB capacitors they all look good.
Checked all power connectors and cables.
Voltages reported good in BIOS (when I looked.)
Ran disc check no errors.

What may be causing it.

Bad temp sensor on MB - are there any work arounds, something I can shut off
in the BIOS to check this?
If my cpu cooler fan stalls for a split second and starts again will it
cause the system to shut down?
Broken ACPI, can it cause shut down issues, can it be disabled (in device
manager)to check for problems?
Possible bad power supply, why do I have to shut the switch off on the power
supply to get the system to power up after a failure?.
May be coincidence but the problem seemed to begin after a Windows update
a month or so ago.

I am still on SP1 I was going to update to SP2 when this problem began I do
not want to be in the middle of a op system update and have a power down.
When I view the event log nothing seems to be reported around the time of
shut down that is related.

Any help would be appreciated before I spend the big bucks I don't have for
tech support.
 
Hi-
Sounds very much like the problems I had with my GA K8NS pro, but mine
started as soon as I installed XP. To make a long story short, it got
progressively worse over a six-month period. About the time I eliminated
everything else, it got enough worse that GigaByte didn't argue, but took it
back when I asked them about bad caps. Board came back with all the caps
replaced (it must have cost them a mint to do that!) and has been fine
since. Warranty is 3 years from date of manufacture, so perhaps you might
be in the bracket. Hard to prove, short of removal of virtually everything
in the machine, of course.

Hth,
Joe
 
jt3 said:
Hi-
Sounds very much like the problems I had with my GA K8NS pro, but mine
started as soon as I installed XP. To make a long story short, it got
progressively worse over a six-month period. About the time I eliminated
everything else, it got enough worse that GigaByte didn't argue, but took it
back when I asked them about bad caps. Board came back with all the caps
replaced (it must have cost them a mint to do that!) and has been fine
since.
Click to expand...

They only would have done it if it was cheaper for them to re-cap it vs
replace it. It couldn't have cost them that much.
 
Perhaps not, if the board were out of production. Have been no BIOS updates
since that time, so I shouldn't be at all surprized if this were so. Plus
the older CPU socket. I lost count after more than 60 electrolytics.
Though it would have made economic sense to offer new board *and* cpu
package, but, contrary to popular opinion, a phrase out of Caesar's 'Gallic
Wars,' executive decisions are often not made with the best economic
judgement. Perhaps this is part of why GigaByte seems to be subsuming
itself into Asus.

Joe
 
--
Onward through the fog


jt3 said:
Hi-
Sounds very much like the problems I had with my GA K8NS pro, but mine
started as soon as I installed XP. To make a long story short, it got
progressively worse over a six-month period. About the time I eliminated
everything else, it got enough worse that GigaByte didn't argue, but took it
back when I asked them about bad caps. Board came back with all the caps
replaced (it must have cost them a mint to do that!) and has been fine
since. Warranty is 3 years from date of manufacture, so perhaps you might
be in the bracket. Hard to prove, short of removal of virtually everything
in the machine, of course.

Hth,
Joe
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply Joe
This board ran like a champ for the past three years.
I visually inspected all the caps they show no outward sign of failure.
I know looks are not every thing.
If it turns out to be a MB , good by PC, not worth replacing, old socket,
single core, AGP Graphics.
I'll just get a new PC, they cost three times less for the same rig now.
 
You've covered the likely bases nicely. I've seen some similar behavior
involving failing video boards. If your using a separate video card (i.e.
not motherboard video) that might be worth considering. Also, running a RAM
diagnostic like MemTest86 might be worthwhile (though RAM problems usually
cause BSOD crashes rather than a shut down).
 
I replaced the power supply three days ago and the system has been running
continuously with no shutdowns. I got a great deal on a Thermaltake 750,
Tough Power unit. I would recommend this power supply to anyone, it has
great specs, is extremely efficient, runs unbelievably cool and quiet. The
model I purchased is not modular so you will need allot of room in your case
to tuck away the extra connectors that are available for your hook-up. They
do make a modular unit that I would recommend for smaller cases.

DSC03584.jpg


I tried a new power supply first for several reasons.

First - the problem did not seem to be heat or system stress related.

Second - After a power off the power supply seemed to fail it's self test on
start unless you let the current drain off for a period of time.

Third - If I had to replace the mother board I intended to upgrade, the
extra power for dual core and SLI, extra connectors i.e. 24 pin power and
PCIe connectors were needed anyway.

Since I don't have allot of bucks to spend right now I'm delighted the
problem seems to have been eliminated with the power supply replacement. But
I have to admit I could taste those sweet upgrades!!!
 
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