Computer randomly shuts off

stebbinsd

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I was watching this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKhAEnK0iWg

I've got this problem. However, he said there are hundreds of possible reasons this might be happening.

I've got a couple of very specific symptoms I hope can shed some light on what exactly is causing this problem.

1. It happens as I try to boot Windows. I can usually last only for a few minutes in regular windows before it randomly shuts down.

2. I DON'T have this problem in safe mode! I'm in safe mode right now!

3. When it shuts down, the LED light on the front is still on. I have to either unplug the AC cord, or flip the switch to off, and wait about ten seconds for the LED light to power down due to lack of juice before I can turn the power back on again.

4. The problem is getting progressively worse. Previously, the machine would shut off (except for the front LED light) randomly, e.g. when I was sleeping. Now, however, it's gotten so bad that I can't even load all my start-up applications without it shutting off!

5. If I run a Windows Start-up Repair, that appears to extend the amount of time I have in regular (not safe mode) windows by a few minutes. Still not enough time to do anything useful with the machine, though. I can't even so much as launch an app without the machine shutting down again. Also, I'm not blind to the possibility that the Windows Start-Up Repair isn't actually helping me, but rather, it's just coincidence.

Do these three symptoms tell you anything about what the problem might be?
 

stebbinsd

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CPU: AMD FX-8350
Graphics: Geforce GTX 750ti
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Any other specs I need to list?
 

stebbinsd

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I have no idea what the part numbers are for the memory.

It's 10GB of DDR3 memory ... one 2GB stick and one 8GB stick.


Cooler Master 600 ATX12V RP-600-PCAR


No I haven't.
 

stebbinsd

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I have a new update. Whenever I turn the computer on, I noticed that all the fans EXCEPT the CPU fan begin spinning.

This would obviously cause the CPU to overheat. Because Duh! That's what the CPU fan is for!

I wonder if this might actually be the problem, and even if that isn't what's actually causing the spontaneous shut-offs, it still needs fixing anyway.

So what I needed to do, then, was determine whether it was the CPU fan itself, or the socket on the motherboard the CPU fan was supposed to be plugged into, that was defective.

To test this, I took one of my case fans (the one that is usually plugged into this port: https://s1.postimg.org/3437ayidq7/Sys_Fan2.png) and I plugged it into the port that the CPU fan was supposed to go in. I then turned the machine on, sans-CPU (so I didn't burn it more than I already had), and ... that case fan still began to spin.

So by process of elimination, I'm assuming that my CPU fan itself is the defective part. I can wipe my brow now, because that means the costs of repair have just gone way, way down!

So what do you guys think? Do you agree with my diagnosis?
 

DSzymborski

Curmudgeon Pursuivant
Moderator


If the CPU fan wasn't working, that's obviously an issue to replace. I should have asked about your temperatures, but I got this thread confused with another, very similar one I was involved in.
 

stebbinsd

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I have no idea how to even check that.
 

DSzymborski

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Typically, but not always. Software like HW Monitor can tell you your temperatures.
 

stebbinsd

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So I have to install that?

Well, that means I need to be able to get into Windows, right? And for that, I need my replacement fan to arrive in the mail.

So I'm in a Catch-22 right now.
 

DSzymborski

Curmudgeon Pursuivant
Moderator


Yup, you'll have to wait. There's all the temperature monitoring in BIOS.
 

stebbinsd

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Ok, new problem. I finally got my CPU fan in the mail today. At least now, the CPU fan starts to spin, so that's a good sign.

But now I have a new problem! Although the fans will spin, I don't get any images on-screen!

I'm still using the same parts as before, except the CPU fan. The same CPU, the same motherboard, the same PSU, the same graphics card, the same everything!

At least before, I was able to get into safe mode without it spontaneously shutting off!

How can I possibly have damaged another part ... without even using it?!
 

stebbinsd

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MERGED QUESTION
Question from stebbinsd : "Computer turns on; no images appear on-screen"

I posted this thread: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3547156/computer-randomly-shuts.html

However, this thread has been marked as "solved," even though my problem is clearly not solved! This may explain why I am getting no new replies to it!

Please do NOT list this thread as "solved" until I not only got my parts replaced, but I am definitely in Windows (regular Windows, not safe mode) and using the programs I have installed! Until then, please don't list my problem as being solved!

Anyway, I've got a new problem: I finally got my CPU fan in the mail today. At least now, the CPU fan starts to spin, so that's a good sign.

But now I have a new problem! Although the fans will spin, I don't get any images on-screen!

I'm still using the same parts as before, except the CPU fan. The same CPU, the same motherboard, the same PSU, the same graphics card, the same everything!

At least before, I was able to get into safe mode without it spontaneously shutting off!

How can I possibly have damaged another part ... without even using it?!
 

johnnyq1233

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OK! Stop with all the crap about this and that! I have an 8350 for one! It runs fuckin hot period!
If you were running the stock heat sink and fan that came with it, then get rid of it ...FAST!
Get a 20 dollar T-2 or Hyper-212 and mount that shit with good arctic silver paste.
Next... put the 8GB stick in slot one and don't even bother with that pissy 2GB stick!
Borrow a decent 600+ watt power supply for testing and get ready to have to re-install your O.S. depending on how bad the shut downs have messed up you C drive!
Let us know what happens!