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PC random shutdown/won't start for acouple minutes

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  • Homebuilt
  • Random Shutdown
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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December 8, 2005 7:08:08 PM

Basically Have been homebuildings comps for a long long time, I have had my current homebuilt for awhile and never had any problems. my system specs are as follows

3.0 ghz 800fbs
gigibyte GA-8IK1100 V1
did have 1gig of ddr400/3200 ram but a stick died so I only have 512
geforce 6800 GT 256mb
2 internal hard drives
dvd burner
1 external usb 2 hd
unknown PSU wattage

anyways the system had been running great but now at random times the computer totally shuts down, and when i try to restart it, it will seem like it is powering up then just shut down again within couple of seconds, nothing gets displayed on the screen, the fans start up and thats pretty much it. i know it is not the RAM because I have now tried 2 other brands of compatible ram and it has the same problem. Could it be the power supply or should I try something else. I am thinking it is the power supply because if I remember correctly it is only 300-350watts and I may have too much stuff plugged into my computer to handle. Any other suggestions on tests I should do or should I just go buy a new PSU with a much higher wattage, also if you think I should get a new power supply what is a good brand that won't fail me right away. I think my current one is generic but it has lasted for like 3 years almost. thanks for the help in advance.

More about : random shutdown start acouple minutes

December 8, 2005 7:35:20 PM

Could be power - possibly drivers. Have you changed anything recently? Have you disabled auto reboot? If not, then do that and see what kind of BSOD you receive on the error.

If you think it may be the PSU, then get a program like motherboard monitor 5 to log voltages - check the logs after the shutdown. If there are spikes (up or down) then the PSU may be the culprit. With the load you're running - 4 HDD, an optical and a 6800GT - it very well could be the PSU. Fortron makes great, inexpensive PSUs. Something like this Fortron 450W should be good for your usage. Do some troubleshooting to localize the problem before you start dropping dough...
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