Computer Switches Off Automatically

Hello,

I have had a pretty reliable PC bought in 2006 and never ever had any problems until this December, where just before Christmas the computer shut off automatically - as if someone just pulled the power chord. Now I have checked all the power connections and they are fine. Also upon trying to restart - the computer would try to start - as in I would hear the cpu kick in, the fans start and the monitor flash but then die again. I left it for a while, and tried again it started. I thought that was it a once off problem and it wont reappear but since a couple of days the problem has reappeared. When I try to restart, the initial error screen pass too quickly for me to read what is going on - I just can read - System Kill and System shutting down. But these error messages are random as in they don't come all the time. If I do see the Windows logo appear then the system boots fine and I am able to work again. I don't know when this will happen again but it is scary as I risk data loss and also ongoing work loss.

I thought it might be the CPU temp. so read thru some posts here and installed some programs to check hardware incl. temp. This is what I get... w.r.t. temp.
Temperature 0 65°C (148°F) [0x41] (SYSTIN)
Temperature 1 98°C (208°F) [0xC4] (CPUTIN)
Temperature 2 52°C (124°F) [0x67] (AUXTIN)

So if someone can suggest what I should do - to prevent this problem I would greatly appreciate it. My system specs should be on my profile in case anyone is interested. Thanks.

 

Hi xsparta and welcome to WindowsBBS

The next time you can start your computer normally please right click on my computer, select properties, click the Advanced Tab then the Settings button under Startup and Recovery.

Once done untick Automatically restart.

The next time your computer fails you should get a BSOD with Error Code. Post details when available.

 

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply. But with hardly much processes running... I mean yeah I have some 10 windows of firefox running and couple of microsoft office documents - is there any reason as to why the computer maybe heating up?

I have dusted the fan exit area so as to make sure that air from the fans can go out but I haven't opened the system to check for anything else?
I was wondering if there is some unknown processes running.. in the background that I can't see which cause the CPU to burn and in turn raise the temp.

And lastly if it is a temp related prob - doesn't the PC tell you that it is going to shut down because of over temp before it does.

Cheers
Xsparta

 

Hi Wildfire,
Thanks for the tip.. I will do it and get back with the details... if this happens again...
Cheers
Xsparta

 

The temperatures are high. Not only the CPU, but the other sensors as well.

As Pete said, check for dust inside the case, but look for the where the air intake vents are, they may be blocked and the system is being starved for cooling/cool air. If it can only draw a small amount of outside (cool) air, the air inside the case just blows around from one chip to another, not cooling, but maintaining or increasing the temperature of other chips (it's an oven inside the case).

You need to clean the dust out of the case regularly. At the moment there is a poll at the start of this forum regarding cleaning, you might get some tips there.

Matt

 

Hey guys
thanks for the tips.. I have to admit I have never cleaned it since I bought it - I also voted on the poll honestly for that one
So I guess its just time to get my hands dirty. I will read some more of the posts around here so that I make sure that while cleaning I don;t mess anything else.
Thanks once again
Xsparta

 

Hi again members,
I was waiting for another power off event before attempting to clean the pc and also so that I can try and catch the error on the start screen. This has happened now and I have now opened the case, and tried to clean with a soft brush (painting brush) all cpu fan blades, all vents etc... I must admit there was a lot of dust accumulated there and I have so far taken out 2 tbsps equivalent of dust fibers.
TO:Wildfire, I could not catch the error code, but I did catch this error message when I was rebooting the system:
I first get circular grey background with MEDION written on it. This is strange as I have never seen this as normally during booting, after the black and white cmd prompt type of screen with all the numbers on it, I normally get the Windows xp icon which then always ensures the computer boots normally. Whenever I have noticed this grey medion screen showing up.. the comp gives up trying to reboot and I have now seen this twice. It is on this screen if I press the escape key do I get to see the error message which is what I was able to jot down as much as possible:
"Fatal server error "
"Make Sure X-server is not running "
"Connection to audio socket cannot be established"

These were the 3 lines that I was able to write down before the screen disappeared and shut down. Upon rebooting I did not get the grey screen again instead the standard windows icon appeared and i was able to logon. Strangely though my default internet connection disappeared. Anyway, I then shut down the computer and started the cleaning procedure. I am taking a break from the cleaning and thought I will quickly post this much detail from my notebook. Will update with SIW details once I reboot and cross check cpu temps.
but what the hell is an X-Server? and why should that have anything to do with startup?
any suggestions appreciated. Thanks,
Xsparta

 

Hi all,
After cleaning this is the cpu temperature when I have 5 windows of firefox and the HWW monitor and acrobat (in background) processes running.
Is this temperature still too high? If so what else can one recommend?

Hardware monitor Winbond W83627EHF
Voltage 0 1.27 Volts [0x9F] (CPU VCORE)
Voltage 1 1.82 Volts [0xE4] (VIN0)
Voltage 2 3.30 Volts [0xCE] (AVCC)
Voltage 3 3.31 Volts [0xCF] (+3.3V)
Voltage 4 1.66 Volts [0xD0] (VIN1)
Voltage 5 1.62 Volts [0xCB] (VIN2)
Voltage 6 1.62 Volts [0xCB] (VIN3)
Voltage 7 1.62 Volts [0xCA] (VIN4)
Temperature 0 65°C (148°F) [0x41] (SYSTIN)
Temperature 1 70°C (157°F) [0x8C] (CPUTIN)
Temperature 2 50°C (121°F) [0x63] (AUXTIN)
Fan 1 1480 RPM [0x72] (CPUFANIN0)

 

Isn't AUXTIN the monitor temperature? If so, how the hell is that getting so warm? But I agree with Pete, all those temperatures are majorly excessive - in a completely crammed microATX case, my computer has never had a CPU temp higher than 56C - and that was full load. I appreciate there's a gulf in the performance of the two, but no way should there be that big a gap. I also think you need some case fans or better airflow.

 

Can you run the computer with the case open and maybe a desk fan directed into it? Post the readouts if you can do that.

There should be air intake vents around the front of the case, check that they are not blocked with dust.

Under the CPU fan you will see the heatsink (the heat dispersal system for heat from the CPU). Look between the fan blades and check for dust in the fins of the heatsink. You can loosen and remove that dust using a straightened paper clip.

You might want to get a can of compressed air from an office suppliers (take the case outside if you are going to blow the dust out), hold the fans still so that they don't spin when you are blowing out the dust.

Matt

 

Hi Pete,
Thanks for your scrn shot of SIW. Yup it is now clear that my comp is above normal temp. I did see a couple of fans inside with one vertical and one horizontal fan. Both had accumulated dust, so I cleaned them out and all other innards with a paint brush.

Hi Mattman, I will try to run the comp with the case open... though and a table fan passing air through the innards and see if that brings about a change as suggested. I will see if I can also take a photo of the innards and the SIW scrn shot after doing the above.

My comp unfortunately does not allow complete removal of the case, as there is an external HDD bay on the top and while I can disconnect one wire out of the two present there - one of them is non disconnectable, so I can only put the case half out in front. But that shouldnt be a problem as I can expose the CPU part. It is just the DVD drives that remain hidden
Will try and post it later tonight.

 

Sounds good. It will be experience for you because the cleaning process will need to be carried out regularly.