Random shutoffs. motherboard?

Angree · Sep 13, 2014

I have been having trouble recently with random shutoffs no warning just black screen powered off completely. This happens after 5 mins or sometimes an hour, while idling on the desktop or playing a game. I figured my psu was failing and got a new one (upgraded wattage too). The problems continue. I have been watching my temps and they seem reasonable and don't jump too much when i run anything demanding. I have re-seated my cpu heat sink (with new thermal compound) just in case. I have had a lot of trouble finding anything exactly like my problem. I think I have it narrowed down but was hoping to find some opinions from seasoned tinkerers before i spend more money on the wrong thing. I pulled out my tower to make sure its staying clean inside and noticed one of the capacitors on my mother board is a little swollen around the vent.
I am pretty sure this is my problem but can the shutdowns be so random from this?
I have an HP pavilion a6230n windows 7 everything on board is factory except my graphics card and added RAM.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It seems to happen after a longer time if i haven't used it all day, then after I reboot it happens sooner which made me think that is heat related, but again, my temps are not abnormally high, around 40-50c cpu temp.
By the way, this is my first post here though i have read a few helpful threads about other computers i have tinkered with at home.
Thanks in advance!!

ronintexas · Sep 14, 2014

Take a look at your event logs to see if any errors are appearing there. If you get a BSOD - there is a reader for it: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

Angree · Sep 14, 2014

Ok I didn't think i had errors in my log but I double checked. I have critical errors repeating quite a bit event ID 41 source: kernel-Power. Is this mobo capacitor trouble? I don't get BSOD ever though.

ronintexas · Sep 14, 2014

I absolutely hate that error. It is hard to determine if it is power coming into the computer, the PSU or mobo. I have 3 HP computers in the house, all 3 of them had to have power supplies replaced within 3 years of purchase - the weak link in all "pre-built" configurations from most manufacturers are the PSU.

I would suggest getting a replacement PSU - I have replaced all 3 with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

Angree · Sep 14, 2014

I just got a new power supply hoping it would fix my problems. The problems remained. I have my computer underclocked right now for troubleshooting purposes but my power supply is 750w and should handle some overclock normally.

ronintexas · Sep 14, 2014

I would suggest taking out the "add-on" components you have installed - leave it the basics - CPU, mobo and original RAM and see if it remains. You can switch out the RAM if it does - and if it still remains - it has to be the mobo.

Angree · Sep 14, 2014

Thank you ronin, will try pulling the add-ons out and see if there is still issues, its just hard to troubleshoot such a random problem.
If i can see a damaged capacitor on the mobo though, is it likely my issue? Will post back later

ronintexas · Sep 14, 2014

It is possible. I have worked with computer repair for almost 30 years.....the only true way to visually inspect a card and determine that it is fried is when you see black smoke pouring out of the components.....or severe damage from it smoking.....while it is possible that the capacitor is bad, not following the troubleshooting procedure could result in you purchasing another mobo and that not being the issue.....

Search

Random shutoffs. motherboard?

Angree

Honorable

ronintexas

ronintexas

Judicious

Angree

Honorable

ronintexas

Judicious

Angree

Honorable

ronintexas

Judicious

Angree

Honorable

ronintexas

Judicious

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page