unexpected computer shutdown... ?

cjh23 · 11-03-03, 08:38 AM

Please help,
My computer just turns off unexpectedly from time to time. Mostly when playing games but it has occured whilst messing around in windows.
I originally thought it was a heat problem, but all my motherboard temp sensors are below 40 and i have an external temperature sensors around the cpu and graphics card, which are also below 40.
I recently changed my graphics card thinking this might be the problem, but it hasnt helped.

What could it be?

Current system - Abit NF7-S motherboard, Athlon 2600+, 512 Mb DDR RAM, 40Gb HD, Windows XP, Currently an old Nvidia TNT2 16Mb gaphics card.

Thanks

skab · 11-03-03, 08:57 AM

What are you running for an overclock? what kind of memory are you running?

stool · 11-03-03, 09:34 AM

Welcome to the forums.

First things you can suspect are heat, your PSU, or your memory. Do you have a generic PSU? Quality memory?

srs · 11-03-03, 11:29 AM

Turn off the auto restart on failure option. That'll freeze the PC on the BSOD and maybe give you a clue to your problem.

james.miller · 11-03-03, 11:42 AM

its the psu. im sure. ive seen it a hundered time or more now.

pc shuts off, no warning - no fans, no nothing excpet the mobo light.

Try another psu - something with at least 18amps on the 12v rail.

I had this exact problem. I was running a q-tec 400w psu. ive also seen 4 other people running q-tecs on these board with the same problem, and every one of them cured it with a better psu.

cjh23 · 11-03-03, 03:09 PM

thats really spooky...

It just so happens i have a Q-tec 400 W PSU. Perhaps id better change it.

cjh23 · 11-03-03, 03:14 PM

otherwise, memory i have, 2 sticks of 256Mb 168DIMM PC266Mhz, i think.

I must admit i find all this messing around with computers quite a challenge. Its amazing how one tiny little thing can really throw a spanner in the works...

Is it alway like this?

Cheers for the advice.

creepy · 11-03-03, 05:53 PM

Sounds like the psu...

james.miller · 11-04-03, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cjh23
thats really spooky...

It just so happens i have a Q-tec 400 W PSU. Perhaps id better change it.

now how did i know it would be a q-tec?

MRip · 11-04-03, 09:33 PM

Right after I installed my NF7_S My comp was having some problems including random shutdown. First thing I did to fix it was RMA the memory, no luck. Set the FSB deathly slow, no luck. Reinstalled EVERY driver one by one, no luck. Tried out like 6 different BIOS, no luck. Then I RMA'd my NF7, voila! All my problems were solved. There was no physical damage at all to the board, but there was something very wrong with it. My problems were described to me as probably being a prolem with my PSU, so don't give in to their arguments too easily.

cjh23 · 11-05-03, 05:58 AM

sorry to seem really thick, but what does RMA'd mean...?

11-03-03, 08:38 AM	Thread Starter #1
cjh23 New Member Join Date: Nov 2003	unexpected computer shutdown... ? Please help, My computer just turns off unexpectedly from time to time. Mostly when playing games but it has occured whilst messing around in windows. I originally thought it was a heat problem, but all my motherboard temp sensors are below 40 and i have an external temperature sensors around the cpu and graphics card, which are also below 40. I recently changed my graphics card thinking this might be the problem, but it hasnt helped. What could it be? Current system - Abit NF7-S motherboard, Athlon 2600+, 512 Mb DDR RAM, 40Gb HD, Windows XP, Currently an old Nvidia TNT2 16Mb gaphics card. Thanks
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 08:57 AM	#2
skab Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Montevideo, Minnesota	What are you running for an overclock? what kind of memory are you running? __________________ STILL CRUNCHING SETI FOR THE USA SETI, only SETI, always SETI!!!! HEAT
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 09:34 AM	#3
stool Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Albany, NY	Welcome to the forums. First things you can suspect are heat, your PSU, or your memory. Do you have a generic PSU? Quality memory? __________________ My Heatware
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 11:29 AM	#4
srs Member Join Date: Jan 2003	Turn off the auto restart on failure option. That'll freeze the PC on the BSOD and maybe give you a clue to your problem.
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 11:42 AM	#5
james.miller Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dunstable, uk	its the psu. im sure. ive seen it a hundered time or more now. pc shuts off, no warning - no fans, no nothing excpet the mobo light. Try another psu - something with at least 18amps on the 12v rail. I had this exact problem. I was running a q-tec 400w psu. ive also seen 4 other people running q-tecs on these board with the same problem, and every one of them cured it with a better psu. __________________ The HTPC E2160 @ 2.7ghz \| Thermaltake The Orb cooler \| Asus p5w-dh \| 4Gb DDR-II pc6400\| 1.00Tb of WD AAKS storage \| Asus Xonar D2\| 360 HD-DVD drive Pioneer bd204 bluray sata drive \| Corsair HX620w PSU \| *BFG GeForce 8800GTX* \| Silverstone SST-LC17b \| 22" dell e228wfp \| 40" 1080p SONY 40w2000 ONKYO TX-SR805 \| bi-amped mission m71i fronts \| eltax center & bipolar rears 2x 12" custom built subwoofers powered by a denon pma-100m \| PS3 with linux and a 250gb 3.5" internal drive \| Nintendo wii
	QUOTE Thanks

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11-03-03, 03:09 PM	Thread Starter #6
cjh23 New Member Join Date: Nov 2003	thats really spooky... It just so happens i have a Q-tec 400 W PSU. Perhaps id better change it.
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 03:14 PM	Thread Starter #7
cjh23 New Member Join Date: Nov 2003	otherwise, memory i have, 2 sticks of 256Mb 168DIMM PC266Mhz, i think. I must admit i find all this messing around with computers quite a challenge. Its amazing how one tiny little thing can really throw a spanner in the works... Is it alway like this? Cheers for the advice.
	QUOTE Thanks

11-03-03, 05:53 PM	#8
creepy Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: tn	Sounds like the psu... __________________ Case: antec 300 Power: antec hcg-900 CPU: fx-8120 @ 4.5ghz (more to come) Mobo: gigabyte ga-890fxa-ud5 Ram: 8gb g.skill ripjaw 1333mhz @ 1688 Video: 2x msi 6970 @ 950/1450 Sound: sound blaster x-fi titanium fatal1ty Cooling: antec kuhler 620 HDD: 500gb WD caviar black
	QUOTE Thanks

11-04-03, 09:33 PM	#10
MRip Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC	Right after I installed my NF7_S My comp was having some problems including random shutdown. First thing I did to fix it was RMA the memory, no luck. Set the FSB deathly slow, no luck. Reinstalled EVERY driver one by one, no luck. Tried out like 6 different BIOS, no luck. Then I RMA'd my NF7, voila! All my problems were solved. There was no physical damage at all to the board, but there was something very wrong with it. My problems were described to me as probably being a prolem with my PSU, so don't give in to their arguments too easily.
	QUOTE Thanks

11-05-03, 05:58 AM	Thread Starter #11
cjh23 New Member Join Date: Nov 2003	sorry to seem really thick, but what does RMA'd mean...?
	QUOTE Thanks

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