Computer randomly "sleeps" even while doing things?

[FuturDreamz]

I have hibernation disabled.
My computer is set to never sleep
display is set to never turn off (I turn the TV off myself)
Under a heavy load (re-running WEI score, heaviest thing I do) temps hover around 50c
Power supply is 300w, calculations show my maximum usage is under 220W




once in a while (about once a day now, but I'm on the computer a lot lately watching Andromeda for the first time) my screen will go black and there will be silence (mostly from the TV, which is a buzzing plasma), and the HDD light will go off for a moment. I press any key on my wireless remote, and it resumes again, as if it went to sleep, but I'm not doing anything that would initiate that. It's only started doing this in the last few days or so.

Help?
thanks.

 

[DavidE]

Hello FuturDreamz,

If your watching TV and don't touch the KB/Mouse/Remote, Screen Saver may be kicking in.

Check your Screen Saver settings.
If it's set to "blank" on a timer, that might cause this.
If it is "blank", pick some other screen saver so you will know when screen saver kicks in.

Also check your advanced Power Options settings for allowing the Hard Drive to turn off.

Are you using WMC and a WMC compatible remote?

As it just started doing this, you could also try using a restore point from before the problem started.

 

[gregrocker]

I'd disable the screensaver as it's not needed except for CRT monitors to prevent burn-in. Use the Win7 background slideshow instead.

I'd also run a Clean Boot so no other freeloading program can affect what you're doing: Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[DavidE]

Hi Greg,

I don't know for sure if Screen Saver is the issue...
That's why I suggested what i did...
Until the OP replies, it's my first guess...

 

[FuturDreamz]

I had the screen saver disabled.

Which is odd, because I though I had set it to do photo slideshow.

Additionally, for some reason it's now saying that my video card can't handle themes.

 

[DavidE]

Ouch !

It does not sound like a sleep or screen saver issue now.
My first thought is to look in the Event Viewer and see what you can find.
When this happens, is there an event that can help determine the cause?

You can also run System File Checker to check for issues.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

With what you just said about the video card, it might be a hardware/driver issue.
Try updating your GPU driver...

 

[FuturDreamz]

I've rolled back, I've upgraded, and I've uninstalled a "Windows Live Display Driver" that Live Mesh had installed. Assuming that the problem I'm experiencing is related to the lack of themes, nothing has worked. And I have been re-running the WEI assessment after each time.


Which is odd, because according to Update history I upgraded the Video driver on the 25th, which may just be around the time the sleeping issue started.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Also: Could it be the PSU or power source? My Plasma is a big power hog and makes a loud buzzing noise when showing a white image, and it could be affecting the line...

 

[DavidE]

WOW!
Try backing out the driver update, or installing an older driver version...

I have an (OLD) AMD 4670 GPU (and a disabled onboard IGP) in my primary HTPC.
I use an older AMD driver version because it works best for me.

For me getting several media programs/audio devices/TV Tuners/codecs/TV's/monitors/resolutions/configs/... working together the way I WANT is a challenge.

I normally run 2 LCD TV's, and have added a third screen without problems.
So, I don't think "PC power" is an issue...it isn't for me, and i know my hardware is "aged".

As far as the Plasma power source/hog question, can you connect the Plasma to another outlet/circuit with an extension cord?

I don't have Intel or nVidea graphics to test with...or Plasma

It is possible the supplied PSU is a problem, I can't guarantee otherwise.
I learned years ago, PSU's are the most likely point of failure in a PC...

That's after ME(David), the worst "malware" i know to my own systems
Curiosity killed the cat.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I bought a surge protector so I could swap out the old Mac's UPS. I ended up re-enabling hibernation for the UPS.

I have to wait and see if the sleep problem is still there or not, and I'm just going to use WMC's screen saver (as I always start WMC when done)

 

[DavidE]

OK,

I don't think it's a true "Sleep" issue, but who knows?
You can look in Event Viewer for Sleep Events - they are Event ID #42.

In post #14 of this thread you can see a Sleep event Screen Print example...

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...de-only-locks-computer-after-reinstall-2.html

 

[FuturDreamz]

Found it:

And there seems to somewhat be a pattern:

1rst time was March 31 (Saturday)
2nd was April 6 (Friday)
And the final four rest were all just after 2:00am every night.

I'm still looking into what may be the cause.

MSE: last definitions update was 2:00 AM this morning (Scans are set to run at 2:00 on Sundays)
Windows Updates run at 3:00am

 

[DavidE]

Look for Error Events after Event #42 based on the time of event #42...
That's where I would start...

Based on what i see in your log compared to my log, something is wrong.... and my PC sleeps and wakes up...

 

[FuturDreamz]

Attached is the Event log, everything from 1:50a to 2:10a. something happened, but I'm not entirely sure what.

 

[DavidE]

I found a sleep event in your log, and the next System event is #2100.
Look at the screen print for your log - #2100 is something to do with PNP/Power Device
If you don't know, I don't either...

This system event is right after Event #42 (Sleep).
I'm lost from here right now....

I'd use this trace, and ask cluberti (tutorial publisher) for more help with this...
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...up-shutdown-sleep-hibernate-reboot-trace.html

 

[gregrocker]

I've rolled back, I've upgraded, and I've uninstalled a "Windows Live Display Driver" that Live Mesh had installed. Assuming that the problem I'm experiencing is related to the lack of themes, nothing has worked. And I have been re-running the WEI assessment after each time.


Which is odd, because according to Update history I upgraded the Video driver on the 25th, which may just be around the time the sleeping issue started.

There are occasional optional Updates Display drivers that can foil sleep or even cause BSOD's, but not enough not to recommend freely accepting all Updates. Just roll it back and then hide the driver when it reappears.

I second having Cluberti read your trace, but be patient as he is very busy now globetrotting with the MS SysInternals release. And continue Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[FuturDreamz]

Is Cluberti member on this forum?

 

[FuturDreamz]

This is the thing I bloody hate. I don't know if it's a driver issue, a software compatibility issue, settings issue, or a hardware issue. If I was able to just use Windows without installing 7+ appls/plugins to get basic features, I may not be having this problem.


Of course I might just reinstall. I've been meaning to convert to GPT.

 

[FuturDreamz]

I found a sleep event in your log, and the next System event is #2100.
Look at the screen print for your log - #2100 is something to do with PNP/Power Device
If you don't know, I don't either...

This system event is right after Event #42 (Sleep).
I'm lost from here right now....

I'd use the trace at
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...up-shutdown-sleep-hibernate-reboot-trace.html

and ask cluberti for more help with this...

View attachment 209542

Which trace? It happens randomly, not during standard reboot/whatever events.

 

[DavidE]

Which trace? It happens randomly, not during standard reboot/whatever events.Which trace? It happens randomly, not during standard reboot/whatever events.

I apologize for my confusing Post #15.
I edited it for clarification.

I meant ask cluberti (Tutorial publisher) for more help with the trace documented in tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...up-shutdown-sleep-hibernate-reboot-trace.html

If you do run a trace, I can look at it.
But I'm not sure I can offer any help, as this is getting way over my head...