Resolved Computer Shuts off when watching Videos.

Now that I have discovered this problem exists in Windows and Linux I definitely have a hardware problem of some kind. So my problem of the computer shutting off happens when I am watching a video whether it is a DVD or off the internet. I have this problem in Win7 Ult. and Kubuntu Linux. The computer will also shut off if I have too many internet tasks running. No warning of any kind. Computer shuts off like the power cord was pulled. Then in order for it to be powered on I have to unplug the cord from the computer and count to 20 then plug it in and it will turn on; otherwise the on/off switch doesn't work unless I do this routine. This problem has been on going for about 6 months, but I just recently narrowed the problem down to this probable cause. One thing that I think we can eliminate is the processor as I upgraded that about 3 months ago. Any ideas?

Later. Pepse.

 

Power supply seems to be failing. Swap & check.

Also check CPU temp.

 

I will try the power supply but I am not sure if I can get away with a 450 watt (my only bigger spare). I am using a 550 watt right now. I have a 256 meg Vid card and a Intel Pentium "D" 850 CPU. As I recall 550 watt is my minimum. My CPU temp is a constant 21 Celsius; I have CPU temp in my system tray.

Pepse.

 

Check all the basics.

Look at the motherboard website if they suggest compatible types of RAM, see if yours is listed. The RAM manufacturer might have a compatibility listing.

I worked on a computer the other day that had random shutdowns. I disconnected and reconnected all the cables, removed and the reseated the PCI cards (and graphics adapter) and also the RAM. It started up a lot faster and I haven't been told of any further shutdowns. Maybe just a bad connection, but watch the connections for the graphics adapter. If the card is not squarely seated, I have found the connections can get crossed.

You should put your system details in your WindowsBBS user profile
http://www.windowsbbs.com/adding_system_specifications.html

Matt

 

Why I didn't think about checking all hardware devices is beyond me, at the moment. Of course I realize alotta times the simple things are what we forget. I will look into it, soon. As for the RAM I have 2 Gigs of GEIL DDR1. 1 Gig sticks, Gigabyte does list GEIL for their RAM compatibility. As for my system I did make up my system quite awhile back but there must be something I am missing for the link to show up. I just went there and it is all there but I didn't see anything to check to activate the link.

Later. Pepse.

 

Let us know how the hardware checks go.

Did you miss this part

 

I will get to that system bit later. I seem to have found the problem with shutdowns. It is apparently the RAM. Not sure if it 1 stick or 2. Swapped out both just to see if it remains stable. It's been about 2 days and so far so good.

Later. Pepse.

 

Sorry for slackin' on this issue. To date I have changed RAM, used only bank 0, removed the AGP video card and the Yamaha sound card (went with the onboard items), disconnected everything possible and it still shuts off randomly. Like before, anywheres from 20 seconds to ??? infamy? The problem isn't always when viewing videos. Otherwise it wouldn't die after about 20 seconds. It does lead me to think it must be the power supply; the only thing I haven't changed besides the hard drives. I hope to have the extra cash in the very near future top acquire one. I will keep everyone as up-to-date as I can.

Later. Pepse.

 

I have some feed back as well. The system that I mentioned

did not have further shutdowns, but I have recently been asked to look at it again. It would not start up correctly. When I looked at it and shut it down to take it for diagnostics, I noticed the case near the power supply was very hot. When I checked the power supply, I found the fan inside it had stopped working. The PSU is an odd shape and a new one would not be available. I have now built a new computer as a replacement.

Matt

 

As best I can recall, I have never noticed the PSU being overly warm. In fact my shut downs can occur within seconds after I turn it on. And that has happened in the morning after it's been off for about 6 to 8 hours. To say how screwy it is I had the computer on for about 18 hours without a problem. And yet sometimes it shuts down after a few seconds or maybe a few minutes. Very unpredictable. But, it does do it a lot if I attempt to watch videos.

Later.

 

I agree. I have one on the way. Hopefully I will be able to post about it soon.

Pepse.

 

Okay, I have had a new 650 watt power supply in the machine for about a week and no problems. So it is safe to close this thread. Problem Solved.

Thanks to everybody for their help.

Pepse.