Computer shutting down // LED blinking

[Pwnagepenguin19]

So on my new homebuilt system, I'll post the specs if needed, I've recently been experiencing problems.

When I play Battlefield Bad Company 2, the system randomly shuts down, but the fans and LEDs still remain turned on.

However, just recently, the system completely shuts down, but the power LED on my case (NZXT Phantom) starts to blink.

Does anybody know what this is?

Thanks.

 

[WyomingKnott]

Shut down but blinking power LED is a sign of being in the Sleep state. I can't think of any reason why your machine would go into sleep state.

In the Control Panel, go into Power Options and make sure that drive spin down, system sleep, and monitor shut-off are set to never. I can't imagine that this would be the source of the problem if you are actively playing, but it's worth a try.

And don't hit the power button while you are playing (grin)

 

[Pwnagepenguin19]

Shut down but blinking power LED is a sign of being in the Sleep state. I can't think of any reason why your machine would go into sleep state.

In the Control Panel, go into Power Options and make sure that drive spin down, system sleep, and monitor shut-off are set to never. I can't imagine that this would be the source of the problem if you are actively playing, but it's worth a try.

And don't hit the power button while you are playing (grin)

I should mention that the system appears to be very, very hot, and the machine refuses to start up again unless I turn off the power supply via the switch on the back, turning it on again, and then hitting the power button.

 

[Pwnagepenguin19]

I checked my temperatures.. the CPU temperatures are obviously WAAAAY too high.

Any recommended CPU coolers?

Temps:

Temperatures
Motherboard 36 °C (97 °F)
CPU 49 °C (120 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 59 °C (138 °F)
GPU Diode (DispIO) 38 °C (100 °F)
GPU Diode (MemIO) 40 °C (104 °F)
GPU Diode (Shader) 38 °C (100 °F)
WDC WD6400AAKS-65Z7B0 [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Cooling Fans
CPU 992 RPM
Chassis #1 1408 RPM
GPU 32%

 

[TheVolcanoKid]

I should mention that the system appears to be very, very hot, and the machine refuses to start up again unless I turn off the power supply via the switch on the back, turning it on again, and then hitting the power button.

I have had this same issue on multiple systems. Posting your specs might not be a bad idea. Are you OCing? My guess is that you're overheating (CPU - I think, but could be GPU). So, your system is shutting down. When I have experienced this in the past, I can switch off the PSU and then turn it back on, but if you try to load up BC2 you'll probably run into the same issue.

Couple of fun things to try. Open up the side panel and make sure you've got some air flow. I've actually used a floor fan before aiming it directly into the case. If you can play BC2 with that happening, then you might have some other issue.

I'm no expert, but that's my best guess.

 

[TheVolcanoKid]

What CPU do you have, and are you OCing?

 

[Pwnagepenguin19]

I have had this same issue on multiple systems. Posting your specs might not be a bad idea. Are you OCing? My guess is that you're overheating (CPU - I think, but could be GPU). So, your system is shutting down. When I have experienced this in the past, I can switch off the PSU and then turn it back on, but if you try to load up BC2 you'll probably run into the same issue.

Couple of fun things to try. Open up the side panel and make sure you've got some air flow. I've actually used a floor fan before aiming it directly into the case. If you can play BC2 with that happening, then you might have some other issue.

I'm no expert, but that's my best guess.

Here they are:

Motherboard
CPU Type QuadCore AMD Phenom II X4 945, 3000 MHz
Motherboard Name MSI 785GT-E63
DIMM1: Crucial CT25664AA667.M16FH 2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM
DIMM2: Crucial CT25664AA667.M16FH 2 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM
Video Adapter AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series (1024 MB) (Vapor-X edition)
Monitor AOC 1619w [16" LCD] (182016843009)
Disk Drive WDC WD6400AAKS-65Z7B0 ATA Device (596 GB, IDE)

EDIT: GPU came pre-overclocked, I've tried underclocking, no difference. CPU is NOT overclocked.

EDIT 2: PSU is 480 watts, an old power supply, not sure of the exact name.

 

[WyomingKnott]

I'm running hotter than that and not shutting down. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/forum2.php?config=tomshardwareus.inc&cat=31&post=313355&page=1&p=1&sondage=0&owntopic=1&trash=0&trash_post=0&print=0&numreponse=0&quote_only=0&new=0&nojs=0

 

[TheVolcanoKid]

Depending on how much you want to spend, I'd roll with this Zalman, but if you don't mind spending a bit more then this is supposed to be an upgraded Zalman. I've never used the latter, but it's on my list of products to try.

Due to the heat that's running through your case, I might even recommend a PCI fan like this or this.

Lets get those temps down, and you should be good to go.

 

[TheVolcanoKid]

WyomingKnott, do you happen to know if the shutdown temp on your intel chip is the same/similar to his AMD?

 

[Chainzsaw]

It almost sounds like your CPU's cooler is not attached to your CPU properly. Have you tried checking your CPU's cooler to see if it's seated properly? Also it needs thermal paste (only a tiny amount, pea sized) between your CPU and CPU cooler. When your CPU overheats, it shuts down your system to prevent further damage.

Can you run PRIME95? It would be a good idea to stress your CPU to see if it is your CPU overheating.

Let us know the results.

 

[WyomingKnott]

WyomingKnott, do you happen to know if the shutdown temp on your intel chip is the same/similar to his AMD?

No idea. It's obviously above 65!

Actually, the Asus mobo that I use will throttle down the speed / voltage above a certain temperature.

 

[Pwnagepenguin19]

It almost sounds like your CPU's cooler is not attached to your CPU properly. Have you tried checking your CPU's cooler to see if it's seated properly? Also it needs thermal paste (only a tiny amount, pea sized) between your CPU and CPU cooler. When your CPU overheats, it shuts down your system to prevent further damage.

Can you run PRIME95? It would be a good idea to stress your CPU to see if it is your CPU overheating.

Let us know the results.

I'll download it and try it out. I shut down my computer and left it for a few hours, and the temperatures right now are around 51 degrees.

EDIT: Do I use the "torture test" feature? And if so, for how long?