Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
This problem just started out of nowhere. I press the power button, everything powers on just fine, but it turns off within 2-5 seconds. My initial guess was that the CPU was shutting it off because it was too hot. I opened my machine up and found the heatsink was absolutely full of dust. I gave it a very good cleaning and got my computer to work.
The next day, it wouldn't turn on again. I just kept trying to power it on and after 4-5 tries, it worked.
Today, it wouldn't turn on again, I kept trying, and one of the times, it stayed on until the Windows logo, and then it powered down. It eventually worked after 8-10 tries.
What in the world could be wrong? It never shuts down while I'm in the middle of doing anything, and my temperature program shows that the CPU temp is plenty low enough.
Hope you didn't use a vacuum on it. That sounds like it may be a power supply going bad. Try booting into the BIOS screens and leave the computer set there for a bit to see if it shuts down from there also.
0 
Ok, I shut down, turned it back on in 1 minute, and it booted fine. I shut down, turned it back on in 1 minute and let it sit in BIOS for 5 minutes, and it was fine.
This leads me to believe that it only happens if the computer has been off for an extended period of time. I can't really test that at the moment. But, any further advice?
0
Or it could be a hardware issue. The likely candidate MAY be the power supply. When booting to the BIOS you aren't configuring all the installed hardware. If you have a monitoring utility runnin in Windows check to see if it also monitors voltages. Also check the fan on the power supply to verify it is pushing air.
0
I'm running SpeedFan for temperatures, and it has some voltages. Not sure if this is what you meant though.
Vcore: 1.41V
+12V: 12.04V
3.3V: 3.26V
Vcc: 4.99V
Vin2: 0.00V
5Vsb: 4.96V
Vbat: 0.00V
0
Yes those are the ones. If you can monitor those voltages in the tray maybe it will indicate a PSU (power supply) problem. If when an additional drive startsw the 12v falls that may indicate a problem.
Next time it refuses to boot properly try this. Disconnect power from the PSU and push the start button. Reconnect the power and try to startup.
0
Also make sure the CPU fans is starting every time you power up. Fans bearings can get sticky and cause the fan to fail to start sometimes.
0
Ok, I've monitored the 12V and put in and ran a CD, which is what I assume you meant by starting an additional drive, and the Voltage was just fine. Over the past 20 minutes, the range has been 11.9-12.05
0
Your problem could be related to Windows. One way to troubleshoot would be to run a different OS. You could try a Live CD like Knoppix. Knoppix is a useful OS for troubleshooting other issues so it isn't just an exercise to solve this problem. Knoppix is free, 700MB and needs to be burned to CDR. Google for it if interested.
0
Last night, I had it off for about 90 minutes and it turned back on just fine.
Ok, this morning, woudln't turn on, it took 4 tries to get it to start. So we've pretty much proven that it has to be off for several hours in order for it to not turn back on.
I tried your unplugging of the power cord, pressing the start button, and replugging the cord and pressing start again. That didn't do anything.
I downloaded Knoppix, but don't necessarily want to burn it to CD and use it yet.
Any other ideas? Thanks so much.
0
Using Knoppix can help determine if your problem is with hardware or software.
I am leaning toward the PSU.
Your symptoms mimic issues I've encountered when capacitors are going bad on the MBoard. You could visually check for that. Capacitors are components on the MBoard that look like miniture cans. If there is any leakage or swelling that is an indication of a bad cap. The top should be flat on the caps.
0
The capacitors look fine.
Tonight, after several hours of being off, I tried to turn it on, and it took 4 tries. On the 4th try, it got to the windows logo, and powered off, but powered Immediately back on. The monitor light went to orange for 1 second and immediately back to green... and it went back to the windows logo.
0
On average, every morning, it takes about 4-5 tries to get it to boot. This morning, after the computer having been off for 48 hours, it took about 30 tries to get it to boot. I could hear it struggling to even start up. The monitor light wouldn't even turn from orange to green at some points, because it was struggling to even get that far. Is this sounding more and more like a PSU issue?
0
Yes, that is what I mean. Unplug the computer from the wall, or better yet, If the PSU has an on/off switch on the back of the case switch off there. You must take static discharge precautions. Leaving the computer plugged in but shut off at the switch on the back will keep the case grounded. Touch the case before touching anything on the inside. The video card may have a lock of sorts on the end opposite the monitor connection. Of course screws need to be removed. Be sure to fully re-insert all cards. Memory sticks can get corrosion due to dissimiliar metals used in some contacts. Use an eraser on the contacts or snap in place a few times to wear off the oxidation. Best to do one item at a time so as to not mix things up.
If that doesn't cure the problem one other thing to try is to download and run from a bootable disk, Memtest86. This is a RAM tester, any errors are unacceptable.
Watch the startup screens to verify all hardware is being configured. Where does the computer hang? During the hardware configuration or when entering Windows?
Finally, consider replacing the PSU.
0
I'm gonna get a new PSU... I know my current one is 300W... is there any other specification that I need to know before buying one, or are they pretty standard? Thanks.
0
No they are not all standard. The amps on each rail are important. Cheap PSUs may inflate the wattage by making the 5v and 3v rails have higher ratings than needed.
Jam usually has a deal he knows about somewhere. Are you located in the USA? If so, maybe jam will see this or you could PM him directly.
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
