Random Power Outtages

dldeadbolt · 23 Jan 2013

Hi Folks

Was told to post here by a friend that you've helped previously.

For the past month or so (since mid December), my computer has been randomly shutting down. No BSOD, Just shutting down as if someone had pulled the power cable out.

At first I thought that something was overheating, but after checking it a few times when it shuts down, there are often no parts that are warm, let alone hot.

Please can you help me sort this out... I'm just hoping its nothing too serious.

Regards,
DeadBolt

ICIT2LOL · 23 Jan 2013

Hello and welcome deadbolt mate run Speccy ands see what the CPU and motherboard temps are - you can't just feel the outside outside of the case for those.

You should find the CPU and mother board temps around 10C above room temp if that

http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

Another possible cause could be the PSU is on the blink.

Some system specs mate would be very helpful:)

dldeadbolt · 23 Jan 2013

Hey Icit

Currently it is sitting at:

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core i5 750 @ 2.67GHz 72 °C
Lynnfield 45nm Technology
RAM
8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 761MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
ASUSTeK Computer INC. P7P55D LE (LGA1156) 65 °C
Graphics
PLE2472HD (1920x1080@60Hz)
ATI Radeon HD 5800 Series (ATI)
Hard Drives
699GB Western Digital WDC WD7500AADS-00M2B0 ATA Device (SATA) 30 °C
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD2002FAEX-007BA0 ATA Device (SATA) 33 °C
1863GB Western Digital WDC WD2002FAEX-007BA0 ATA Device (SATA) 33 °C

Been chatting to a couple guys over Mumble, and they are pretty much going with if its not a power surge (which the pc is protected against) then its more than likely my PSU (Corsair TX850W, 3yrs old)

ICIT2LOL · 23 Jan 2013

Hiyya amte the CPU and mobo temps are touch on the warm side if that is at idle.

Having said that as I mentioned too the PSU is a prime suspect although it is a Corsair (I prefer that brand myself HX's) but that doesn't mean it isn't going to bed.

If you want you can check the volts very easily but please be careful these devices pack a lethal dose a bit like a hospital defibrillator if you mess around inside them. We have just dome a fair few debates and tutorials on these and one that you can try is this one and you do not need to take them apart to test the volts anyway
PSU - Jump Start

but do be careful to use just the first part of the tutorial to start it and then test the leads for volts which will be
YELLOW = 12v RED = 5v and ORANGE = 3v +/- 0.5v on all typically you will find 12.4v 5.3v and 3.3v any less than that will indicate some very amiss with the PSU.

Having said that just because there are volts doesn't mean there is sufficient current!

AGAIN BE CAREFUL!!

dldeadbolt · 23 Jan 2013

Hey.

Those temps are from right after running BF3 on high/ultra. (though even now after web browsing and a couple power outs the temp seems to stay aroung 70/60* respectively)

i did a RAM test earlier and those all came back clean.

I have just tried to run a Prime95 torture test a couple times (In-Place Large FFTs - Max Heat, power Consumption, some RAM tested), but each time right after you click OK to start, the PC shuts down... Its really looking to be the PSU, but theres a slight chance it could be the mobo

Britton30 · 23 Jan 2013

Those temps should be in the 30C-40C range at idles and max out at maybe 75C under stress. Try clearing out dust from your fans and CPU cooler fins. Check the Corsair site to see if that PSU is still under warranty and describe the issues.

ICIT2LOL · 23 Jan 2013

Britton30 said:

Those temps should be in the 30C-40C range at idles and max out at maybe 75C under stress. Try clearing out dust from your fans and CPU cooler fins. Check the Corsair site to see if that PSU is still under warranty and describe the issues.

Absolutely mate all my Corsairs came with a five year warranty so at three years old you should get a replacement . Plus you should just check those volts too like I said any volts below 12 5 and 3 are not good.

Layback Bear · 24 Jan 2013

Just a note; your power surge protection (???) could also be at fault.

dldeadbolt · 24 Jan 2013

Heya

Britton30 said:

Those temps should be in the 30C-40C range at idles and max out at maybe 75C under stress. Try clearing out dust from your fans and CPU cooler fins. Check the Corsair site to see if that PSU is still under warranty and describe the issues.

The comp had a full cleanout about a ~10 days after this first started happening.

ICit2lol said:

Absolutely mate all my Corsairs came with a five year warranty so at three years old you should get a replacement. Plus you should just check those volts too like I said any volts below 12 5 and 3 are not good.

Yeah it is still under the 5year warranty.
I would check them but I don't have any devices to do so (Unless it shows in BIOS?)

Sorry, not really tech savvy. I can do general fixes, but when something like this happens I have no clue what I'm doing.

I left Speccy running for a while whilst idle and the temp didn't change.. CPU stayed around 70-73, MB 60-62.

I've spoken to the tech guy at work, and he has said thatit might be an issue with the heat control chip?

ICIT2LOL · 24 Jan 2013

Still looks pretty hot to me DL I would be not happy if it were my temps my friend I personalty would be redoing the thermal compounds. Doing that is relatively simple and the readings for the volts you only need a cheap digital multimeter to check those - probably $10 -15 in a hardware store.

That fellow could be right too and it might be giving you false readings so do that temps correspond to the BIOS readings? Having said that I think I am right in saying the temp control is within the CPU but I stand to be corrected. So the best reading you can get will be in the BIOS because the CPU reports back to the BIOS what temp it is at.

Therefore if the temp sensor is wrong then it follows the CPU may be out of whack.

Hum just remembered this CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting and there is a pic of mine
John