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windows xp shuts down after boot [failing PSU?]

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by simpsonschck, 2007/09/15.

  1. 2007/09/15
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    windows will boot and run for a few minutes at first and then shut down.(like someone unplugged it) no shutdown window appears, it just clicks off. if i turn power back on, it runs for less time each time i turn it on.(example: 15 minutes the first time, 5 minutes, then it will shutdown before it even loads all the way) i have tried replacing the battery, running virus scan, replacing wires. i am at the end of my rope!! HELP PLEASE!!!!!:mad:
     
    simpsonschck,
    #1
  2. 2007/09/15
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    simpsonschck - Welcome to the Board :)

    Could well be a thermal problem - is the CPU fan running??

    Could also be a failing PSU.
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2007/09/17
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes the fan is working
     
    simpsonschck,
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  5. 2007/09/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    When it shuts down do any of the lights on the front of the case stay on. Most modern motherboards have a LED on the board to indicate that it is powered up - this remains on until the power is switched off at the mains (wall socket) - what is the behaviour on your motherboard.

    I suspect the PSU (Power Supply Unit) is failing. Certain this is a hardware problem so moving the thread to the Hardware forum.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2007/09/17
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    no, the lights go off also. i just tried replacing the psu and it did not help- it booted for about 3 minutes then shut off
     
    simpsonschck,
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  7. 2007/09/17
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    could it be a loose wire?
     
    simpsonschck,
    #6
  8. 2007/09/17
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If the PSU you replaced it with is known to be good I would be looking at the power cable from the computer to the wall socket and the wall socket.

    Are you running through a UPS (Universal Power Supply)?

    In Changing the PSU you have remade all the power connections so that rather rules out a poor connection.

    Take a careful look at the motherboard - are any of the capacitors (vertical cylindrical devices) bulging or oozing at the top?
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2007/09/17
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    no i am not running through a ups- that was one of the first things i checked.i know the new psu is good, and it is not the outlet because i have pugged it into others. i will check the motherbard again tomorrow, but i have not noticed anything bulging or oozing.
     
    simpsonschck,
    #8
  10. 2007/09/18
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Just a suggestion.

    Boot into safe mode. If it seems stable, go to My Computer, right-click on the the C: drive -> Properties -> Tools. Run Error-checking. Check the boxes "Automatically fix..." and "Scan for... ". [You will need to restart the computer to run Error-checking on the Windows drive]. Do this for any other HDD drives you have (D:, E:, F:, etc).

    Matt
     
    mattman,
    #9
  11. 2007/09/18
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    nope- that didn't help. i did as you said and restarted the computer, it booted and then shut off.
     
    simpsonschck,
    #10
  12. 2007/09/18
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    just checked and there is no oozing or bulging, but i did notice that the p7 cord (yellow and black)that runs from psu to fan looks burned on the side where the yellow plugs in. could it be the fan?
     
    simpsonschck,
    #11
  13. 2007/09/18
    Dennis L Lifetime Subscription

    Dennis L Inactive Alumni

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    Please RECONFIRM the following questions ...
    Cooling Fan for CPU is Running?? If yes, visually fast/slow?
    Cooling fan for PSU is Running?? If yes, continue.
    My first suggestion, get a big house fan (set speed to medium or high) and with computer cover off, direct air flow towards CPU and PSU. But NOT so close as to overdrive any of the fans contained in the computer.
    Does this reduce / stop computer from shutting down??
    If yes, we can continue our search for which component is causing problem.
    SUGGESTIONS
    Have you thoroughly cleaned computer? (turn computer off/unplug power cord)
    The cooling radiator (fins) underneath CPU fan can become clogged. Using canned air / small brushes / nonconductive
    objects (such as toothpicks) gently remove debris from fins.
    THIS SHOULD BE DONE WHEN COMPUTER IS COLD. If you shoot canned air and accidentally turn can upside down, will spray extremely cold liquid gas, and possible damage CPU.
    Next clean PSU. About all you can do here is clean intake.
    Now clean the rest of the motherboard. Gentle use your brush and canned air.
    Now download using a different computer and install EVEREST Free Edition 2.20 on your problem computer.
    Load and click on COMPUTER | SENSOR
    What are you temp readings / fan speed.
    Memo - Sometimes these reading can be skewed / incorrect. The sensor(s) could be funky and or program does not report correctly.

    Again would like to re-confirm.
    The light PeteC is referring to is not your normal powerup / computer is running light. If you have one (1 of my 3 computers does not), it would be active with computer turned OFF, but power cord IS plugged in and connected to computer. Has this changed since you changed PSU?? My confusion is, when computer shuts down and you say light is NOT active, you should NEVER be able to turn computer back on .... unless during off/cooldown, this light comes back on, which means we now have power to the computer / PSU.
     
    Dennis L,
    #12
  14. 2007/09/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Maybe a combination of fan and lead - difficult to know without seeing whether it is the lead or a faulty fan socket.

    I would put money on this being the source of the problem.

    Which fan? - CPU fan - most CPU fans are fed off the motherboard, not the PSU direct - with AMD CPU's at least.
     
    PeteC,
    #13
  15. 2007/09/18
    simpsonschck

    simpsonschck Inactive Thread Starter

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    it is the cpu fan. how can i tell whether it is the lead or fan socket?
     
    simpsonschck,
    #14
  16. 2007/09/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If the lead is burnt that is the most likely - really need a multimeter to test for continuity.

    Without that I think the only way to tell is to substitute the fan for another - they scre_w/clip to the CPU heatsink - which you should not remove. If that does not resolve the problem it is the lead - no way of guiding you on this at distance without examining the lead closely.
     
    PeteC,
    #15

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