Solved Computer keeps forcing itself into sleep mode?

[Mookeylee]

I've had this computer for about 4 months now, and I haven't had many problems with it aside from an invalid Windows 7 key which I fixed. But lately my computer has been falling into the nasty habit of forcing itself into sleep mode while I am using it. It started about a month ago, and has spiralled into a major problem. My computer can enter sleep mode 5 or 6 times in a row with about 5 seconds inbetween each wake up. I use my computer for a variety of things, such as gaming, photoshopping, streaming movies, and the such, so this problem really proves frustrating when it begins to act up when I am in the middle of something. It also seems to act up in sessions. At times it won't do anything for a few hours and I will peacefully use my computer. But then it will suddenly kick in, and will enter sleep mode multiple times with only a few seconds inbetween each wake up. At the moment of writing this, my computer has entered sleep mode 12 times. I've been counting...

I don't know what could be causing this problem, as I've tried a few different fixes. I updated both my dedicated graphics card (Geforce GTX 960) as well as my integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 4600) to see if they were out-dated, but both were up to date and functioning. I made sure my GTX was properly installed and secured and it is. I also purchased a new hard drive due to lack of space, and I was hopeful that maybe that was the problem, but it didn't help. I considered trying to update my BIOS, but as of 2 weeks ago, it was up to date. I have an MSI Z97 Gaming 5 MOBO.

I have noticed that two of my internal fans have failed, and I have yet to check to see if they are connected correctly. I wouldn't think a failing fan would cause the computer to enter sleep mode though. Plus they were working last week, so that's only a very recent problem.

On a side note, I do a lot of streaming to Twitch, and I've noticed when I run OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) it seems to make the problem somewhat more managable. Normally when my computer enters sleep mode, it takes about 10-15 seconds before my computer is completely asleep and I have the chance to wake it up. When OBS is open and streaming, however, the moment my computer tries to enter sleep mode I need only hit escape and it cancels the process and takes me to the lock screen. Keep in mind I actually have to be streaming or at least previewing my stream in OBS for this to happen. I don't know what this means, but I figured it would be useful knowledge.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. This problem has driven me to the end of my wit, and I would love to be done with it. If I left any crucial information out, feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer. Also, it's entered sleep mode 19 times now. It's been very difficult typing this

 

[Mellon Head]

Have you run a recent malware scan?

 

[Mookeylee]

Yes. I use Microsoft Security Essentials and I ran a full scan just the other day with nothing coming up. I also ran a basic clean using CCleaner just in case.

 

[GokAy]

For Malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (start the premium trial).

Double check your active Power Plan (Control Panel - Power Options - Change Plan Settings - (see option there) and then go into advanced settings - and see if you can spot anything)

Try a clean startup, in case an app is causing it, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html, I have heard some motherboard apps (from MSI in your case) may cause this, do you have any installed?

Then run: gpedit.msc - Computer Configuration - Administrative templates - System - Power Management - Sleep Settings
(for both on battery and plugged in)
- turn off hybrid sleep (enabled)
- system sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- unattended sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- experiment with others

 

[torchwood]

your fans

In your opening post you said that 2 fans had stopped working.

From this i would say that your comp is overheating, and within your power option setup i suspect the default is sleep when a certain temperature is reached.

I would not change the settings but fix the fans

Someone more into overclocking will be able to give you more/better advice on this type of problem.

Roy

 

[DreadStarX]

First off, overclocking isn't needed for gaming. Currently, there are no games that can utilize the benefits of overclocking. Secondly, this is a heat problem, as stated before by others. With that said, when was this system purchased/built? If you run your PC consistently, like I do (I restart once, maybe twice a week), you'll destroy your thermal paste on your CPU Heatsinks. I work in a Data Center, with those high end machines running for 2 - 3 years, I see how the paste gets destroyed.

I would buy some paste (Usually $10), and re-do the paste on your CPU. Replace those other fans as well. Now, if you're really skilled, you can take apart your GFX card, and re-do the paste on your GPU Heatsink. I've done that twice since I bought my 560GTX.

Also, run a stress test to confirm if it's your PC overheating. If your PC goes into sleep mode, you've found your problem, if it doesn't and completes the test, you're back to square one.

Hope this helps! Also, I'm back for a short while

 

[GokAy]

I didn't know a PC could go into sleep when overheated (and failed to read the part about failed fans)

Definitely worth checking temps (HWInfo is good enough).

DreadStar: you are wrong about overclocking. It does affect performance where the game is bottlenecked by the CPU. From the top of my head I can name ARMA 2, Battlefield Series multiplayer, usually MMOs. It also is dependant on your GPU being able to keep up. In short, you should be benchmarking and weighing the plus and minus of overclocking.

 

[Mookeylee]

For Malware scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware free (start the premium trial).

Double check your active Power Plan (Control Panel - Power Options - Change Plan Settings - (see option there) and then go into advanced settings - and see if you can spot anything)

Try a clean startup, in case an app is causing it, http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html, I have heard some motherboard apps (from MSI in your case) may cause this, do you have any installed?

Then run: gpedit.msc - Computer Configuration - Administrative templates - System - Power Management - Sleep Settings
(for both on battery and plugged in)
- turn off hybrid sleep (enabled)
- system sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- unattended sleep timeout (enabled, 0)
- experiment with others

Thank you very much. I will post results as soon as possible

 

[Mookeylee]

The 2 fans failing to work is a relatively recent problem, while the sleeping problem is about a month old, but I will look into it regardless. Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I will run some tests once I get off work

 

[Boozad]

I've had this computer for about 4 months now, and I haven't had many problems with it aside from an invalid Windows 7 key which I fixed.

Please explain.

 

[Mookeylee]

@Boozad When I installed Windows 7 on my computer, I didn't have a CD drive so I had to flash it over. For some reason, doing so rendered my key invalid so I had to purchase a new one. That was the only real problem I've had before this

 

[Boozad]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'flash it over'.

 

[Mookeylee]

I had to put Windows on an external drive and set my computer so it would boot into the external drive via my BIOS so that it would install onto my hard drive.

 

[Boozad]

DreadStar: you are wrong about overclocking. It does affect performance where the game is bottlenecked by the CPU. From the top of my head I can name ARMA 2, Battlefield Series multiplayer, usually MMOs. It also is dependant on your GPU being able to keep up. In short, you should be benchmarking and weighing the plus and minus of overclocking.

If a system needs its CPU overclocking to keep up with the GPU in gaming it needs a new CPU and the builder should balance the build better. ARMA II and Battlefield certainly don't ned an overclocked CPU to play, providing you build a machine designed for gaming with the proper components. If a game is being being bottlenecked by a CPU, it really isn't a gaming standard CPU.

 

[Mookeylee]

Sorry for the delayed response, everyone, but work has been taking up most of my time lately. I was finally able to get around to trying out all of your suggestions, and I think it's really helped. I can't say for sure until I have a lengthy test, but it seems my problem is fixed. I opened up my case to fix my fans, and now both are working without fail. I also downloaded CPUID HWMonitor to check my CPU temperatures, and I was indeed overheating. With the fans finally working, it has dropped the temperature a bit, but I will definitely need to purchase more fans or maybe even a liquid cooling system in the immediate future. I'm a bit hesitant to do liquid cooling, but I'll do my research before deciding on that.
Regardless, I think my main problem was the fans, being as my computer seems to be doing fine now that they are working properly. I am going to leave the thread open for a little while longer, however, so I can make sure this isn't just a short term fix. If things seem to be working properly and the problem is resolved after about a week of normal use, I will consider the problem completely fixed and close the thread.

Thank you, everyone who helped me. Hopefully this problem is dead and buried and I can move on from it. You all are awesome! A slice of cake for everyone!

 

[Mellon Head]

but I will definitely need to purchase more fans or maybe even a liquid cooling system in the immediate future. I'm a bit hesitant to do liquid cooling, but I'll do my research before deciding on that.

The all in one liquid cooling systems are a snap to use and quite efficient, if you want to go that way. Nothing to be afraid of. They're only a tiny bit more complicated than some heatsink/fans, and are well worth the investment for keeping your CPU cool.

And thanks for the cake.