My PC starts properly at Work, but at Home, shuts down after 3 seconds

Mothrich · Feb 10, 2014

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/246825-28-computer-turns-seconds-shuts

Hi,

I've read this thread but i didn't tried all that you guys are saying, but i will do today.

The idea i'ts that how it is possible to start properly at work and at home no. I've checked the outlet (home) with others things like: PlayStation 3, a laptop, TV etc etc, no problems.

Please help!

Thanks,
Mothrich

Ubrales · Feb 10, 2014

Welcome to Tom's Hardware Forums!

Yes it does sound strange! There are some other things that you can try. Try a completely different outlet in a different room; an outlet that is on a different circuit breaker. Try a different power cord. Use a voltmeter and measure the voltage at the outlet. Do this at no load and under load. (I hope you are not using a multi-outlet power strip). Plug the PC directly into the wall outlet.

Someone Somewhere · Feb 10, 2014

One thing to note: If you do use a voltmeter, make sure it's on AC, and don't touch the metal probes.

What's the PSU, and other components?

What country?

Mothrich · Feb 11, 2014

Ubrales :

Hi,

I've tried in different outlet in differrent room and in circuit breaker. Tried other power cord. All for nothing, it's the same thing. The voltmeter indicates the correct value.

Mothrich · Feb 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Hi,

It is AC. The values are correct.

PC:

PSU: Sirtec - High Power Absolute 700W
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.20GHz skt AM3
MOBO: ASRock 880GXH/USB3
RAM: 2 x Mushkin Blackline Frostbyte 4GB DDR3 1600MHZ CL7 Dual Channel Kit
VIDEO: XFX Radeon HD6850 1GB DDR5 256-bit
CASE: Cooler Master USP 100 Black
HDD: SSD OCZ Vertex 2 Series 90GB SATA-II 2.5 inch and Hard disk WD 1TB SATA-II 5400rpm 64MB Caviar Green

Country: Romania

Someone Somewhere · Feb 11, 2014

What do you define as the correct value? How close is it?

It works if it's taken back to your work?

Mothrich · Feb 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Yes, it works if at work, i did that 3 times in 2 weeks, at work starts properly like it's new.

I don't remember the values from voltmeter in outlet but i was researching on internet and the values are correct

Someone Somewhere · Feb 11, 2014

Hmm. Do you have any other PSUs you can borrow temporarily?

Would you mind checking the voltage again, and possibly checking at work too if you're allowed?

There aren't any adapters in between? Using the same power cable?

I have to admit, this is one of the weirder problems I've seen.

Mothrich · Feb 11, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

I will check it again. I don't know if i'm allowed. The idea it's that i pay rent where i live now, everything was ok until 3 months ago when this PC issue came. There was not any events like lightning strike etc etc. Simply just stops working.

There are no adapters between, also tried with other power cable.

I have some tips&tricks about trying different stuff, tweaks and stuff. Belive me, i tried all kind of possibilities and nothing.

I know, this is the weirder problem i have. Our IT guy from work test the PC like crazy with all kind of software like benchmarks, stress etc etc for 24h, and it works like new.

Someone Somewhere · Feb 11, 2014

About now I'd be getting out an oscilloscope...

There's got to be something different about your home vs work. I just don't know what it is.

Ubrales · Feb 11, 2014

What is the actual value of the voltage at your home? How Many volts? And for comparison, I would like to know the actual voltage at work too!

Mothrich · Feb 19, 2014

Ubrales :

Hi again,

Nothing change until now, the PC is still the same.

The multimeter (set to AC and 750 V~) displays at my outlet 500 (note that we have in Romania 220-230V) at work displays 300-350

I 've asked some people and they said that should not be a problem with the outlet because if other electronics are working properly, the pc should too.

Mothrich · Feb 19, 2014

It worked few months ago, then suddenly died, at home.

- there is no point to test with other PSU, because ,at work, the PC runs like new
- someone said that maybe the bios is set to "power on" when plugged, but now i cannot enter BIOS (how can i?)
- if i remove all the components, there is no POST
- i've checked again the switch in front of the case, looks like this is a little box that i cannot open to see inside
- i've removed the switch power cable mobo, shorted with a screwdive, and nothing happend
- the CPU has that thermo thing
- nothings smells like burned, ozone smell etc etc, nothing
- changed power cable, nothing
etc etc

The main idea is that how is possible to work perfectly at my work? without any problems.

Thnaks,
Mothrich

Ubrales · Feb 19, 2014

Let me see if others can help. This is a very strange problem!

RussK1 · Feb 19, 2014

I would suspect line noise and ripple and the PFC of the PSU protecting the machine.

Onus · Feb 19, 2014

What RussK1 suggests is possible. You say the voltage readings are very different at home and at work; that could be part of the problem too; your PSU is not dealing with the different voltages properly, indicating a possible problem with its PFC circuit.
Sirtec makes some of the OCZ PSUs that were found to have low-quality capacitors in them that do not age well. The fact that your system worked fine until recently suggests something has deteriorated, and capacitors are a prime suspect, especially in the PSU. I believe all the capacitors on your motherboard are solid, and not likely to be the problem. If they aren't, make sure none of them are bulging or leaking. Do other home electronics all work properly?
Have you verified that the outlets you have tried were all properly grounded? Typically, electrical "noise" gets shunted to ground, so the ground needs to be good.
I would suggest testing with another PSU. Your system would run fine on a 430W Antec Earthwatts, or similar high quality PSU (400W is enough, as long as it has a PCIe power cable). You may use the links here: http://www.johnnylucky.org/power-supplies/psu-recommendations.html to find a good unit, or follow to the Lemon List for PSUs to avoid.

Mothrich · Feb 20, 2014

Onus :

What RussK1 suggests is possible. You say the voltage readings are very different at home and at work; that could be part of the problem too; your PSU is not dealing with the different voltages properly, indicating a possible problem with its PFC circuit.
Sirtec makes some of the OCZ PSUs that were found to have low-quality capacitors in them that do not age well. The fact that your system worked fine until recently suggests something has deteriorated, and capacitors are a prime suspect, especially in the PSU. I believe all the capacitors on your motherboard are solid, and not likely to be the problem. If they aren't, make sure none of them are bulging or leaking. Do other home electronics all work properly?
Have you verified that the outlets you have tried were all properly grounded? Typically, electrical "noise" gets shunted to ground, so the ground needs to be good.
I would suggest testing with another PSU. Your system would run fine on a 430W Antec Earthwatts, or similar high quality PSU (400W is enough, as long as it has a PCIe power cable). You may use the links here: http://www.johnnylucky.org/power-supplies/psu-recommendations.html to find a good unit, or follow to the Lemon List for PSUs to avoid.

Hi,

No bulging or leaking, all electronics work properly. All outlets are properly grounded.

OK, so the next step is to check the pc with other PSU. I think i can do this today.

Thanks guys, i'll keep you in touch

Have a nice day,
Mothrich

RussK1 · Feb 20, 2014

Onus :

What RussK1 suggests is possible. You say the voltage readings are very different at home and at work; that could be part of the problem too; your PSU is not dealing with the different voltages properly, indicating a possible problem with its PFC circuit.
Sirtec makes some of the OCZ PSUs that were found to have low-quality capacitors in them that do not age well. The fact that your system worked fine until recently suggests something has deteriorated, and capacitors are a prime suspect, especially in the PSU. I believe all the capacitors on your motherboard are solid, and not likely to be the problem. If they aren't, make sure none of them are bulging or leaking. Do other home electronics all work properly?
Have you verified that the outlets you have tried were all properly grounded? Typically, electrical "noise" gets shunted to ground, so the ground needs to be good.
I would suggest testing with another PSU. Your system would run fine on a 430W Antec Earthwatts, or similar high quality PSU (400W is enough, as long as it has a PCIe power cable). You may use the links here: http://www.johnnylucky.org/power-supplies/psu-recommendations.html to find a good unit, or follow to the Lemon List for PSUs to avoid.

+1

king smp · Feb 22, 2014

Great answer Onus! +1

Ubrales · Feb 22, 2014

Congratulations King! You look good!

king smp · Feb 22, 2014

Ubrales :

Thank you but I must say as a moderator please do not go off topic and hijack a thread

RussK1 · Feb 22, 2014

Ubrales :

Curious if he tried a different power supply.

My PC starts properly at Work, but at Home, shuts down after 3 seconds

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