Random Frequent Power Off Pc Computer Crashes

[Jingthing]

My PC (running XP) crashes alot. Instant total power off screen going black. To restart, I must power off the computer, and then try again. Sometimes this takes several times to fully restart again. (More crashes of the same kind along the way.) I have noticed this is more likely to happen when running several processes at once (downloads, uploads, etc.) but not all the time by any means. I put on a surge protector but that didn't fix the problem.

What do you think? Faulty power supply? Windows problem?

Edited December 12, 2007 by Jingthing

[Crossy]

Sounds like an under-rated / faulty PSU, although a processor overheat may cause similar problems.

Try running it with the lid off and a fan blowing inside.

[nikster]

I had this happen when I had a home-built computer which didn't get enough air. I ran it with the case open and a fan pointing to it, and it was fine.

There are lots of programs out there that will monitor your mainboard/processor temperature - install one of those and see if the temps are reaching critical levels. The system will protect itself and turn off if it gets too hot...

Might also be a faulty PSU but you said that when it happens, it also has trouble starting up again which makes an overheat more likely.

[ballbreaker]

I had exact same problem and it turned out to be motherboard. Thats not to say you have the same problem.

After making sure all fans are working check that all cooling fins on power supply and CPU heat sinks are clean. If you still have problems you need to start swapping parts with another working PC to isolate problem.

[Daffy D]

I had a similar problem not long ago after I had installed a new Motherboard and power supply.

I tried to isolate the problem by removing every thing except the main hard drive (C:) and one memory strip and reconnecting things one at a time. This took a long time and did not identify the problem.

The problem as it turned out was the power supply which though only week or so old was partially failing. Since fitting a new power supply the problem has not returned.

My Previous Thread

D.D.

[Jingthing]

Thanks, I strongly suspect the power supply.

[Jingthing]

OK, I have an update.

Being the lazy guy I am, I didn't do anything to fix this problem and it steadily got worse and worse until I could barely use my computer at all. It would maybe run for 5 minutes max before crashing again, and then I would have to reboot several times (always giving it a rest between reboots) before getting on again. Interestingly, I would always have to power off the power strip supply to the CPU before the restart, or there would be no restart possible at all.

Another clue, sometimes on restart I see a screen for just a second, and I think I have read something about overclocking error, or perhaps it was overvoltage error, or both. Unfortunately, the screen goes away so fast I can't really read it. Also, about one if five times I am forced into disk checking chkdsk process, which I usually let it go through.

One reason I delayed getting help is that I am looking for more clues, and I also suspect either a software problem and/or an electrical supply problem (as in the power from my wall). But I was ready to take the machine in but it took me a few days to get the machine stable enough to do some file backups. Anyway, right after I did the backups, the system got stable again (knock on wood). Of course, I don't trust this will last, but it sure is very weird.

So my question now is about the power from the wall. Might the voltage be wrong? Perhaps no ground? I have blown out power supplies at least once before in my condo. Before calling an electrician, can someone suggest a device I can buy in Thailand to check for grounding. What is the tester called and how can I ask for it in Thai?

Edited January 3, 2008 by Jingthing

[Daffy D]

A cheap multimeter from one of the big stores or an electrical shop might help you. Just be sure to dial the right function before poking the probes into a mains socket.

D.D.

[sbk]

You know Jingthing, given your other thread, you might take this as a sign to get off the computer

[NanLaew]

OK, I have an update.

Being the lazy guy I am, I didn't do anything to fix this problem and it steadily got worse and worse until I could barely use my computer at all. It would maybe run for 5 minutes max before crashing again, and then I would have to reboot several times (always giving it a rest between reboots) before getting on again. Interestingly, I would always have to power off the power strip supply to the CPU before the restart, or there would be no restart possible at all.

Another clue, sometimes on restart I see a screen for just a second, and I think I have read something about overclocking error, or perhaps it was overvoltage error, or both. Unfortunately, the screen goes away so fast I can't really read it. Also, about one if five times I am forced into disk checking chkdsk process, which I usually let it go through.

One reason I delayed getting help is that I am looking for more clues, and I also suspect either a software problem and/or an electrical supply problem (as in the power from my wall). But I was ready to take the machine in but it took me a few days to get the machine stable enough to do some file backups. Anyway, right after I did the backups, the system got stable again (knock on wood). Of course, I don't trust this will last, but it sure is very weird.

So my question now is about the power from the wall. Might the voltage be wrong? Perhaps no ground? I have blown out power supplies at least once before in my condo. Before calling an electrician, can someone suggest a device I can buy in Thailand to check for grounding. What is the tester called and how can I ask for it in Thai?

I think you better stop being lazy and get someone to check out the PC power supply ASAP. These sudden power outages will end up frying a hard drive or mother board and then you will be all bent out of shape relying on someone to fix something unfixable and stressing that your data may all be lost. There's no need to waste time backing up stuff as changing a power supply isn't going to cause data loss. But having the PC stopping and starting like that is a sure way of corrupting your Windows operating system as well as frying hardware.

Have you bothered to try the other suggestions regarding opening the case and ventilating it better? I had a PC that died because the CPU cooler fan had seized up, another did the same because the power supply fan was seizing up. Didn't detect these issues until the case was opened up.

Grounded households are a bit of a joke in Thailand so unless you have an obvious loose or arcing power outlet, don't worry about dodgy grounding causing your issues.

[jerry921]

If you can afford it, and if having another brick to lug around isn't a show-stopper, get a UPS (uninterruptable power supply). This is essentially a big battery with isolation circuits so that your computer plugs into it and gets good consistent juice. These things are marketed in terms of keeping your computer up when the electricity goes out but that's probably their 3rd most important function -- the first two being to guard your computer against voltage surges and brownouts. Its also nice that when the lights blink your computer doesn't blink or crash.

A true UPS is different from a power strip with a circuit breaker, it will advertise that it can keep a computer up for some number of minutes after the power goes out. Five minutes of battery time is all that's worth paying for, that gives you time to save files and shutdown. Beyond that the UPS gets just more expensive and heavier.

Because it sometimes takes a few minutes before your computer will come back on, I suspect an overheating power supply. An overheating motherboard is also possible. Even if you are scared to jiggle a wire, turn the power off, open your case up, and get out as much dust as possible from the innards. Then power it on with the case still off and make sure all the fans are spinning. If it is an overheating power supply the UPS wont fix it. If it's flaky juice that has half-fried your power supply, get a new UPS to protect the new power supply you'll be getting soon.