randomly shuts off - opinions?

[cracklingice]

Ok, so I'm at an impass here. The computer I built last year will randomly shut off and I have to unplug it for a few seconds before I can power it back on. It will only do this while I'm running windows. I ran a memtest86 for 24 hours without it shutting off. In Windows it can go from a few mins to a few hours. Any opinions on this? The fact that it won't turn back on had me thinking hardware, but after the memtest I'm not so sure. I've been thinking of installing windows on my files drive so I can dual boot between the drives to see if it's something that can be fixed with a re-install or if there's another issue.

[Monty007]

CPU overheating? Sounds like hardware if you can not turn it on straight away.

[saurongt]

Yeah, you should definitelly look into overheating and stability problems. I would advise to get some temp monitoring program (motherboard monitor, f.e.) and watch the temps at full load. Open up the computer and make sure the heatsinks are securely attached and are not filled with dust. What are your specs?

[cracklingice]

Yeah, you should definitelly look into overheating and stability problems. I would advise to get some temp monitoring program (motherboard monitor, f.e.) and watch the temps at full load. Open up the computer and make sure the heatsinks are securely attached and are not filled with dust. What are your specs?

All of them have already been done. It is definatly software since it's been on 24hours in windows now. I created a new user account and then killed every single process it would let me. All that is running are my messengers.

Specs
2.93ghz celeron d
1gig Patriot ram (dual channel pc3200)
Mach Speed pt88as
ATI All-in-wonder X800XT
80gb SATA Seagate
300gb SATA "II" Seagate
Liteon DVDRWDL
A cool little floppy drive/memory card reader
Some computer rice (hey, the case has a window so I might as well do it up)

I hope this machine works well in it's new life. I'm going to strip it down, reinstall the OS, and put it where my parents 600mhz is.
I am then going to build this.... https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=4066131&WishListTitle=next+computer+budget
I will also get a new wireless router (108mbps rangemax) and a 5 port gigabit switch. Also replace all the wiring with stp cat5e.

[saurongt]

Being in windows for 24 hours isn't representative, try a cpu extensive program for several hours(prime95, f@h, looped 3dmark, etc), while checking the temps if you want to be sure. Enjoy the new build!

[cracklingice]

Being in windows for 24 hours is like 24-48 times longer then the average. It is not a temp issue. I always run a temp monitor. Temp isn't an issue. The computer randomly shuts off, not while doing intensive tasks. Also, to add, there were no hardware changes before this started.

I appreciate your trying to help, but I have already looked into temps. I have checked for bulging or leaking caps and those aren't there either.

[saurongt]

Well, then the only other thing i would think of checking would be the power supply.

[speedy11309]

i would be thinking more of motherboard. this sounds what sorta happened with my uncles computer. whenever you would plug in the ethernet cable to the port, it would search for a connection and as soon as it would establish a connection to the computer, it would just shut off. you would need to unplug the comp from the wall and then plug it back in to get it to turn back on. had to rma the mobo for that one.

[stlouis1]

i would be thinking more of motherboard. this sounds what sorta happened with my uncles computer. whenever you would plug in the ethernet cable to the port, it would search for a connection and as soon as it would establish a connection to the computer, it would just shut off. you would need to unplug the comp from the wall and then plug it back in to get it to turn back on. had to rma the mobo for that one.

my moms computer did some like that once. it would kinda freeze every 2 seconds and come back. when i turned off the onboard nic, it stopped doing it. turned out to be the PSU though, the nic was just drawing that last bit of power to cause it

back to cracklingice's problem though. you said
The computer I built last year will randomly shut off and I have to unplug it for a few seconds before I can power it back on.
i say power supply. if you cant turn it back on for a few minutes, its more than likely the PSU.....take the computer out, and dust it out good. maybe the psu is just clogged n overheating. but its definitely PSU related.

mine was doing the same thing up til a couple weeks ago. i dusted my system out, also changed ram, and reinstalled windows, n a bunch of other stuff, but im sure it was the dusting that did it

[Rudegar]

i would look at volt lvl's
a periodic bad psu can cause stuff like that

[cracklingice]

my moms computer did some like that once. it would kinda freeze every 2 seconds and come back. when i turned off the onboard nic, it stopped doing it. turned out to be the PSU though, the nic was just drawing that last bit of power to cause it

back to cracklingice's problem though. you said

i say power supply. if you cant turn it back on for a few minutes, its more than likely the PSU.....take the computer out, and dust it out good. maybe the psu is just clogged n overheating. but its definitely PSU related.

mine was doing the same thing up til a couple weeks ago. i dusted my system out, also changed ram, and reinstalled windows, n a bunch of other stuff, but im sure it was the dusting that did it

Already dusted out the PC, didn't really do anything with the powersupply. It's a coolmax 350W with the huge12cm fan. It blows out some pretty hot air though. I should probably get a larger one anyway. It's probably been running in around 90% load durring 3d. If it decided it doesn't like life anymore, I wouldn't blame it.

[tboneosu52]

I actually had this problem. My computer would be working fine and then all of the sudden, it would just completely shut off and make a kind of alarm sound. I would have to turn off the power switch and then back on before i could restart. I took it to a computer guy, and he said my processor was installed a little incorrectly, and it was causing the power supply to fade in and out. he reinstalle the processor and it works like a dream. this problem was a nightmare...but it was fixed for only $40!

[cracklingice]

Weird. Now it's been on for a week without popping out. New computer is probably a week or two from now.

[cracklingice]

update
took it off the shelf and dusted it out and all. Found three bulging caps that I couldn't see through the case window. Guess I located the problem.