My computer turns off every 30 mins.

[Sanchez85]

my computer is:[\b]

A8n-sli nForce 4
AMD 64bit 3500+ winchester
1024mb corsair ram
200gb seagate
XTX 6600gt 128mb

Basically, on monday of this week, my computer lost power randomly. I thought it was a one off, but since then it has lost power consistently every half hour since. I know what your thinking, overheating.
But i've cleaned and re-cleaned my board's fans and they are all working fine. I have Asus's motherboard monitor program called Asus - Probe. The highest the cpu and motherboard gets is 38 degrees celsious.

I have also checked power connections and taken out all plugs that might create power surges. I dont suppose it's a windows issue, which is why i've put this post here, because i left the computer in bios and it still turned off.

The ONE thing i do have to go by on, is when i was fiddling about with the settings in bios to try and get some results, i turned on some notifications about the fans. I know all are working, but when i turn on and post does its stuff, it tells me that the cpu fan has either failed or not spinning fast enough. However, it could be because it doesnt need to.

Please please please help!

Thanks

Sam

 

[micker377]

CPU fan may be failing intermittantly. Is this a "packaged" fan (came with the CPU), or an add on fan? If the CPU fan quits in any way, the CPU will shut down in a second or less - giving no time to register a heat problem. Try a new fan (make sure it is "good" enough for your CPU), or see if there is an adjustment for the fan speed. Although, since it has been working until now, I would discount any settings and look to a bad CPU fan.

 

[Tranman]

Sam,
My kid had a similar problem. PC worked fine and we replaced his old rage pro with a geforce 4400. Had lots of case airflow, but the power supply was apparently overheating with the higher current demand. Flipped off after about 20 minutes with no indication of why. After about 3 or 4 minutes, you could reboot and it worked fine for another 20 minutes.

Replaced the 300 watt PS with a 450 and the problem went away. BTW, I'm still using the old 300 in my Linux file server and it works fine...

Tranman

 

[Sanchez85]

Hello, thanks to both replies!

On reply to the first thread, I opened up the case to check the fan. Although its the AMD fan that came with the board, it is running fine.

To the second post, I amusing a tagan 480watt power supply. I also ran it on a test tonight with only the computer on, nothing else. I have to press F1 to get past the post screen. which means it would have been running in bios. And after about 30 minutes the power just went. Im seriously confused!

anyway, more suggestions would be great. thankyou for your help so far and i do take in everything everone says!

Thanks

Sam

 

[G0AOZ]

Just because you have a nice meaty PSU rated at 480W doesn't mean it can't go bad! Substitution of this device will probably be the only way to prove it.

Re the CPU fan notification. If the fan is indeed running continuously, but you still get that message about fan failure or reduced speed, then maybe the sensor has gone faulty. As a test, try disabling the notification in the BIOS, but keep a sharp eye open for that fan, just in case it decides to slow down or stop.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[garebo]

For the power supply, the only way to know for sure is to try using another power supply or to test the one you are using on the computer. To do that you need a digital multimeter and go here for instructions on how to use it:

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/homemaintenance/electrical/multitesteruse2.php

Re-setting power supply:
Remove the main power cord from back of case to wall, make sure the power switch on the back of the power supply is in the on position.
Now press and hold the main power-on button at the front of the case for at least one minute. Let it go after a minute and then switch the
switch on back of power supply to "off" and reconnect the main power cord to the back of the case, turn the same switch at the back to "on" The computer may seem like its powering on and stop, that is normal and will stop.
Now quickly press and let go of the front main power-on button as you normally do.

For good general reading and info on power supplies:

http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=31105&seqNum=4

Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

By the way, i do believe your problem could very well be the power supply, kind of forgot to point that out, lol.
I would say that a good 20% to 40% of power problems reported here are fixed with a new power supply.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[mainegeek]

The Lower Fan RPM Threshold may be set to high for the fan to keep up with in Asus Probe.

or...

The fan may be faulty or on the wrong header.

or...

It may be a faulty fan on the video card causing an over heat and shutdown.

 

[Sanchez85]

hey again.

Sorry it took me so soon to respond, I've been in london to see Athlete play. (which was very cool)

Anyway, i made an error witht the psu. It's 420watt instead of 480watt. But im not sure that makes a difference!

Ok, so i've seen this article on the internet. And it's made me think it's deffinitly the PSU!

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17402072

What do people think?! should I send back to Tagan or supplier or do you guys think it is the PSU?!


Thanks for all the help so far!

Sam

 

[garebo]

Can you get hold of a digital multimeter to test your power supply? That would be in the post i made above.
If you can get one then you can use the link i gave you shows you how to test your power supply and its very easy.
That would be the best way, you know for sure right away.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[garebo]

If you have lot of computers at home or work or both, then you should really get yourself a digital multimeter anyway.
Part of general toolkit for building and repairing computers, not to say you should have one.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[Sanchez85]

Ok, it is (hopefully) the power supply. And i got in touch with the people i bought it from.

I've sent it back today, so hopefull i'll have another one by next friday. I'll let you guys know if it works!

If not, does anyone have any ideas what else it could be?! ha ha. Damn computers!


Cheers!

Sam

 

[HmongVang]

I got the same problem. It shut down every 30 minutes. Replace the power supply and not a problem ever since.

H.V.