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PC Losing Power

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  • Power
  • Shutdown
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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December 18, 2011 7:21:48 AM

I should start off by saying my computer hardware knowledge is somewhat limited. I know the components and their purpose for the most part, so all I can give is a vague explanation of what's been troubling my rig.

This morning, my comp shut down about 5 seconds after I got on and opened an application. I had left it on overnight to render a video, so I assumed it was running hot and left it off for a couple hours. But, when I went to start it up later, it began the boot process only to immediately shut down about 30sec in. It just lost power as if I had been holding down the power button. Subsequent attempts got me about 30sec-2mins of boot time. A couple got to desktop and a few times I sat in the BIOS, but the time between turning it on and auto shutdown stayed about the same. In the desktop boots, everything seemed to be in fine, working condition until the automatic shutdown.

I assumed it was a heat issue at first, so I gave everything a good clean. No change.

I disconnected and reconnected any pins/plugs. No change.

I took out the RAM. No change.

I unplugged the power button and manually started the comp. No change.

I took out my video card. The computer ran for 5-10mins before I shut it off. Without the card I couldn't connect my monitor, so that was no use.

So, now I'm thinking the video card is the culprit. I took it out and opened it up. There was a bit of a clump of dust inside the heat sink I had missed. Thought that had to be it. But, I cleaned it and reseated it. No change.

At this point I'm left thinking it has to be the PSU, and that perhaps the decreased load of taking out my video card the first time had let it run, if that's even a possibility. It has been making a bit of a high pitched whine today. Though, I can't be sure that's new, or just a product of close inspection.

I have a new PSU on the way now, but was wondering if I missed any obvious signs and if there is anything productive I can do to troubleshoot in the meantime.

More about : losing power

December 18, 2011 9:18:18 AM

this may be due to virus or due to any faulty application.
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December 18, 2011 9:27:51 AM

It is not a virus, 99.9% certain of that.
PSU is likely, but also could be a mobo issue.
Does anything smell? What is the make and model of your old PSU and your full system specs please, and whats the new PSU going to be.
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December 18, 2011 9:59:47 AM

One of the more frustrating things is that I've long forgotten my PSU specs and they aren't visibly labeled anywhere (though I haven't removed it yet). I think the brand is BFG, but that's not much to go by.

As for a general idea of the rest (and these might not be perfect descriptions):
AMD Athlon Dual-core processor 2.70 Ghz
Nvidia Geforce 9800GTX+
4GB DDR2 RAM
640GB SATA hard drive
ASUS motherboard (just know the brand)


That smell tip has definitely got me thinking it's the PSU now. PC has been off four hours and it smells a little 'burny' for lack of a better word.

Newegg's PSU calculator suggested around 400W, so I have http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E1681... on the way.
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December 18, 2011 2:54:47 PM

that'll be fine, not much room to grow, but enough for now, BFG only made psu's for a while i imagine that they have a 3yr warranty, but it might be worth checking how old it, and what they offered, if they are still around.
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December 18, 2011 4:33:55 PM

like 13th monkey im siding towards a psu problem. the shutdowns are occurring a short time after boot and randomy. that tells me its when the cpu demands some wattage the psu cant supply it and turns off to protect the rest of the system...
if you can try it on another pc your likely to get similar results...


reason. a power rail is failing.

as you have a gtx its also likely that 400 is the absolute minimum so you will need a psu rated at 450watts minimum.
you can calc the watts by taking the amps and multiplying them by 12 this will give you the max wattage if thats not listed.
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December 20, 2011 6:39:25 PM

Best answer selected by DAGman27.
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December 20, 2011 6:47:19 PM

It was the PSU. Got the new one today and everything's back to normal.

For someone who's never really installed any computer hardware before this, it was a little intimidating seeing all the wires. But, I suppose it really wasn't too complicated.

That 'smell' comment definitely helped me decide with certainty that the PSU was the culprit. Thanks for the advice everyone. I appreciate it.
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