Looking for suggestions on trouble shooting for restarting computers

mindfad

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Mar 24, 2011
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So I have two symptoms that I am encountering now on my desktop.

1rst issue: I have attempted to play three various new game 2012 - and my computer is able to run them. After 5-7 minutes the computer makes a noise and goes to a black screen. Then restarts as if nothing happened. Repeated attempts bring the same results. Old games oddly have no such problem. I am assuming it has something to do with higher demand on my system for new graphics.

Games arent a big priority so I was gonna sit on the issue. However now last day and a half. My computer will restart randomly in normal operating. While I am actually using it and I leave my computer on at night and it is in my bedroom. So last night it start get operate louder and restarted 2 time in quick succession. Now I am getting a little more concerned as it is happening quite frequently.

Reading on these forums:

A likely cause of my issues: is a failing power supply

or I am having fan issues.

How do I figure trouble shoot for either of these? Or does it sound like something else?
 
Solution
gogole the model of the power supply if it a atx unit and not an at unit then any standard atx power supply will work. for most system a cosair 650 bronze will be overkill. if you see a larger unit from cosair on part picker for less money then a smaller one then grab it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX
if it fan or heat issue open the side of the computer up and look at the fans and blow the dust out. if the fans are not moving or moving real slow...heat issues. with a power supply look inside the bios first there most times is a voltage screen. let the pc sit there see if there any read warnings or if you see one of the main legs 3.3 5v or 12v drop below the atx spec or you see one leg going up and down and up.. use hardware monitor inside of windows to watch your temps and voltages.
 

mindfad

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Mar 24, 2011
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18,510
If I need to try a different power supply. How do I go about finding if the replacement is compatible with my current desktop?

I forgot to mention I have cleaned the dust off after writing my post. Was fairly bad. Hasnt restarted yet but is still operating at louder than normal sounds. Havent had a forced restart yet. But my main concern is that something is on the way out so want to preemptive be ready for it if possible.

If I get look at voltage and amps etc. What is good and bad Im kinda clueless on that. Most of my desktop issues have been minor software issue and replacing cards nothing more essential to the computer.
 
gogole the model of the power supply if it a atx unit and not an at unit then any standard atx power supply will work. for most system a cosair 650 bronze will be overkill. if you see a larger unit from cosair on part picker for less money then a smaller one then grab it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX
 
Solution
amps on a power supply is the max output a leg can give the same as the wattage per leg. ie 500w ps can have 10w on 3.3 10w on 5v plus and 480 on the 12v rail.
what you want with hardware monitor is look to see if the 3.3/5/12v rail power drops below the atx spec.