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Random Computer Shutdowns
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Posted by: Dentorin
I've got a computer over here that's having a problem staying on. There's no rhyme or reason to when it shuts down, although periods of intense system strain seem to help encourage it. The gist is that when the computer shuts down, the power supply cuts off. You have to flip the switch on the power supply, give it a moment, and then flip it back in order for it to be able to be turned on again.
This is actually the second power supply for this computer. We tried that first. Sometimes the computer will render video for hours, sometimes it won't even get through the startup processes. Any ideas?
I'm not real sure of the specs, because it isn't my computer. I know the computer is pushing Athlon just over 2 Ghz with almost a gig of RAM. The video card is running 128 RAM. I'm almost certain it's a GeForce FX 5200. Runs two hard drives and minor things like a USB 2.0 card, a video in/out, and a second, less powerful graphics card (somewhere around the Specs of a GeForce 2).
One more twist to the story. The computer works almost fine at home. The only time he encountered this problem at home was when he was doing intense video rendering along with several other programs like AIM and iTunes. This problem seems to be unique in it's severity to the new location at the college dorms.
I appreciate any time anyone spends answering this one. If you need me to be more specific, we'll have to work on getting the specs from the derelict husk of a computer.
Posted by: redwench
physical location probably has nothing to do with it, although it should be running on a ups. run the hard drive(s) diagnostics and a ram tester. as you imply its overclocked, set it to default and monitor the temps and voltages. make sure the power supply is large enough, at least 350W.
Posted by: visbusy
im having same problem, it either freezes or restarts, when it restarts, or i restart it, it makes a siren sound 1,2 1,2 1,2 1,2 etc quite loudly
Posted by: deshana
visbusy- One beep followed by two short ones? That is a video card issue, hardware. Normally mean, the BIOS isn't detecting it correctly. Make sure that is pushed in all the way. No dust or grime in your PCI/AGP slot. And update your BIOS too.
Intermittent problems are the fun ones, but normally pan out to be ESD damage. Sounds like someone worked on the computer without being grounded. Does the computer slow down at all before it crashes? Run a program drwatson when using the computer. It will rule out certain memory problems. But sounds like a video card with ESD damage. But if I were you, I would just switch out the video card and see if that helps.
-Daniel
Posted by: visbusy
thanks - doesn't really slow, sounds like a siren, just 2 beeps but the second "deeper" then the other one, each long siren sound lasting for about half a second...which is quite long and loud, the error does return a video file of some sorts
Posted by: redwench
check the post codes for your bios, then youll know what it is........
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