Suddenly shutdown

[needhelp21]

I have just built a new computer with brand new parts that i just bought. Everything seems to work fine at first but when I try to install Windows Xp, it would shutdown without. Then it wouldn't boot back up. I would have to turn the power off and back on and then it would sometimes work.
The specs

P4 3.2 gHz
1 gb ram
Geforce 6600 GT
16x Digital Max burner
120 gb Western Digital hd
Case with 400 Watt power supply

Thanks for any help

 

[Wxguesser]

I would check to see if your CPU cooling is working correctly. It sounds like a possible overheat problem. If there isn't sufficient cooling, some mobo's will shut the sytem down to protect it.

If this isn't it, try a memory test.

http://www.memtest.org

has a free memory diagnostic that does some fairly intensive tests. Bad memory can also cause this problem. You may also want to remove one stick of memory and see if it functions normally with 512 meg. Switch them if it still persists. If it then functions normally, it's the memory stick.

If neither of these 2, check the PSU voltages. This can also be the problem. It may also be "dirty" power. An UPS or Power Conditioner will help there.

Any of these 3 things can cause the symptoms you describe.

Jim W. A+
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!!

 

[needhelp21]

I don't think its the CPU. I have a heatsink and 4600+rpm on it. I tested the memory on another computer and it worked fine so I don't think thats the problem. I'm thinking its the PSU.

Thanks again

 

[needhelp21]

Now the computer won't even boot. The fan would flicker for like half a second and then stops.

 

[mainegeek]

needhelp21,
What brand is the power supply?
What brand and specs is the RAM?

 

[garebo]

Sounds like a bad, failing power supply to me. If we mess with computers we should all have a digital multimeter, which can be had cheap on the net or the hardware or big-box stores. Then you can google a tutorial on how to check the various voltages, 12v, 3.3v, 5 volt. Google will bring up a very good tut at techrepublic.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[needhelp21]

Its a 400 watt power supply that came with the case.
The ram is two sticks of 512mb mushkin pc3200.
I'll have to test the power supply.

 

[garebo]

We need to remember that if we buy a $30 case we are getting a $10 or less power supply. And the 400, sorry to say, means nothing. The way of extrapolating the wattage gets abused. I read an article done by an electrician and he said todays power supplies are basically a joke, that standards were dropped to make them as poor as they are.
That goes for standard, cheap units.
There are better, and you dont have to pay an arm and a leg, about $40 will get you a good, decent power supply.
But the new power supplies in standard cases are mostly pure junk.
Thats the reason you see cases being sold without power supplies so that we dont have to buy a new case, throw out the power supply and put in a real one. No waste of precious materials!

The electrical society or whoever is in charge needs to re-write the min standards so that all power supplies are at least decent, not the case right now i have learned.



Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[needhelp21]

I just bought a new 425 watt power supply and now it works perfectly.

Thanks everybody

 

[garebo]

Bingo!!!

I'm gonna print this out and put it on the wall with the rest of them!!!

This should be a FAQ!!

Cant say enough about getting a decent power supply. And, of course, a UPS to go with it.

Needhelp21, you took my advice on the power supply, would you take it on a UPS? It should be law in every state and province that a new computer must be sold together with a UPS. Of course, that would be after they change the laws and outlaw cheap, junky power supplies!



Good advice + great people = tek-tips