Computer Entering Power save mode unexpectedly

JustBen2135 · Aug 20, 2016

This problem has bothered me for a year now. My pc constantly enters power save mode when i try to play games or leave it idle. When this happens the fans start spinning like crazy. Once in powersave mode i can still hear sound and talk to people if i am on team speak or skype. After this the only solution is to force shut down the pc and restart to get a display again, i cant tell if my keyboard or mouse are still working as there is no display. When starting my pc i also must push the PCI-E cables into the graphics card and hold them in or it will start in powersave mode. This made me believe it was a problem with loose cables but if i dont run any games the pc will never enter powersave mode unless i leave it idle for around 40 minutes which confuses me.

I have monitered the temperatures on my cpu and gpu while playing games that i know will cause this and there is never anything abnormal. I have tried cleaning my entire case and all components and reapplying thermal paste. I have also looked at the event manager but there is never any reports before the pc crashes just after it restarts saying the pc shut down unexpectadly.
I have updated my graphics drivers to the latest version and removed the battery from the motherboard for a few minutes to clear it.
Im sure over the year i tried other fixes but i cant remember.
I am running windows 7
Any ideas on what is causing this and how to fix it?

MeanMachine41 · Aug 20, 2016

Hi JustBen2135

and I don't think this is a major issue however need more info of your system specs.

Have you checked your BIOS settings.?
Your issue is probably related to Bios settings where power saving settings can be changed.
You can also change power settings in Windows for performance or display quality. Go to Start / Control Panel /Power options. Select never go to sleep.
For the system to crash however, could be an instability issue and stress testing could reveal the culprit.
You may for example have heat or PSU issues under load.

To help we would need at least specs of MB and Bios version. Differing Bios have differing capability.
Always best to list all your system specs for a proper analyses.
Event Manager would report an error if the PC shut down unexpectedly.

JustBen2135 · Aug 22, 2016

MeanMachine41 :

Sorry for the late reply.
I remember checking my BIOS settings a long time ago but I could check again. Having the computer never go to sleep will be good to avoid the issue of the computer waking in power save mode so thank you but it doesn't tell me why it happens.

I don't think it is a heat issue as i said i monitored temps of the cpu and gpu, unless other components are affected but I don't know how to check that.

How would i check if i have psu load issues?

Can you tell me how I can find the specs you need? I don't have any boxes for the parts, no idea where they went. Also how can i check my Bios version. Sorry my computer knowledge is lacking badly in some places.

MeanMachine41 · Aug 22, 2016

To obtain your Motherboard and Bios version, use CPUz and open the Mainboard tab. It will also list your Bios.
Your DIMMs p/n will be printed on the modules themselves if you can't find the box.
PSU details will be listed on the PSU. Need the manufacturer, Wattage and Tier.

Dowload: HWMonitor and AIDA64 and put them on your desktop side by side.
In AIDA64, run the test for CPU and FPU for 10mins and take a screen shot at the ten minute mark.
Stop the test if temps go above 80C. I want to see rail voltages for 12V, 5V, 3V during test when under load.
Use IMIGUR as a file host and link the BB url here.

JustBen2135 · Aug 23, 2016

MeanMachine41 :

I don't know what specs you wanted from my motherboard so here is the full list on Asus's website: https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/specifications/
BIOS version : American Mega Trends 1502
I don't understand what DIMMs are sorry can you explain further.
PSU: Intel Core i5-3570k 3.40 ghz TDP: 77w
Here are the results of the test: http://imgur.com/a/bpkZa

MeanMachine41 · Aug 23, 2016

Thanks for getting back and reporting your tests. I see nothing wrong nor abnormal with the results. Your PSU is doing its job.
DIMMs means Dynamic inline memory modules or your RAM. I see no issue relating to your problem at this point.

Check your EPU Power Saving Mode and settings in Bios, that they are configured correctly. 3-9 in your MB manual.
Also check your Cstates. The basic idea of these modes is to cut the clock signal and power from idle units inside the CPU. The more units you stop the more energy you save, but MORE time is required for the CPU to “wake up” and be again 100% operational. This is essentially a power saving series of settings and can be disabled.

Your Bios is an early Bios from 2012 and the current Bios is 2501, so I recommend an update.
If you are not sure how to go about this safely, then detailed instruction will be given as there is a risk. Although the risk is minimal, an update helps with stability.

Check out the above and please report back.

JustBen2135 · Aug 23, 2016

I checked my epu setting and its disabled. I dont know how to check c states?

I have the file i need to update the bios from asus but i dont know how to actually update.

MeanMachine41 · Aug 23, 2016

JustBen2135 :

Your Cstates configuration is located in the Advanced section of Bios.
Scroll down to "CPU power management configuration" Here you can config for CPU ratio, Speedstep, Turbo mode,and your sleep states C1E, C3, C6. You can enable or disable.

Best way to flash your Bios is to use the EZ flash 2 utility.
Put the new Bios P8Z77VLX.CAP file on an empty fat32 formatted USB stick.
Insert the USB into a USB port.
Enter Advanced Mode in Bios>Tools menu.
Select EZ flash utility>select drive field and use the up-down keys to find the USB with the new Bios file. Press tab to switch the folder info field then select the Bios file. Once the Bios flash has finished reboot your system. Do not disconnect power during Bios flash.

JustBen2135 · Aug 24, 2016

And with these cstates i should disable everything? What should i set the ratio too?

MeanMachine41 · Aug 24, 2016

As you have been experiencing issue with your system when entering power saving mode, I wanted to draw your attention to the power saving features that may be causing your problem. It will not damage your system in any way to enable or disable these states. I always have them disabled during Overclocking. Try disabling Cstates to see if it improves your situation.
Ignore the CPU ratio. It is not required to be changed as you are not overclocking your system.

Did you have success with your Bios update and has anything made a difference.?

JustBen2135 · Aug 24, 2016

After running the bios update exactly as you said the pc restarted and this shows up. http://imgur.com/abSCKaP
I have made sure that the boot order is correct. What do i do

JustBen2135 · Aug 24, 2016

Never mind i solved that. It was an issue with secure boot being set to the wrong version of windows. I will now test to see if this has resolved my power save issue.

JustBen2135 · Aug 24, 2016

Okay the BIOS update did not solve my issue. Attempted to play Sniper Elite V2 with all settings set to low and all extra effects turned off. Monitored the temperature of my CPU cores and GPU while i played just to make sure. Lasted 20 minutes with temperatures never going above 40C, the computer then entered powersave mode again and had to be restarted.

MeanMachine41 · Aug 24, 2016

In Windows, Did you actually check your power plan options.
If not, open Control panel>Power Options.
Here you can change your Power Plan and in the left column choose when the computer goes to sleep and select Never.

JustBen2135 · Aug 24, 2016

Yes I have already done that.

MeanMachine41 · Aug 24, 2016

JustBen2135 :

The only other thing I can think of that may be causing it is your PSU or CMOS battery.
Although your tests indicated your PSU was functional, It may not supply accurate voltage after playing for a while under load. Only way is to swap the unit out with a known working unit of the same or higher Wattage.

If this does not work then a Windows repair or clean install may be required.

JustBen2135 · Aug 25, 2016

MeanMachine41 :

The CMOS battery is on the motherboard right? I took it out and let it reset if thats what it is. I will try find another PSU to test with as you suggested. Do you think it has anything to do with the GPU at all as it is the display that stops working and the cables from psu to gpu that cause issues on startup.

MeanMachine41 · Aug 25, 2016

It might be worth replacing the CMOS battery, just in case. They are CR2032 and only cost around $4.
You can also stress test the GPU as you did with the CPU in AIDA64.

If that's not it then it would seem there's some kind of corruption in Windows OS.
Grasping at straws but worth a check. Run "sfc /scannow" from an elevated Command Prompt, without the quotation marks. This will see if any Windows System files have been corrupted and attempt to fix them. If it finds any and can't fix them then you would have to do a system repair.

Computer Entering Power save mode unexpectedly

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