Computer Shuts down like pulling the power cord way

[Niklas]

Hi.
I am dealing with a really tricky problem and if I can get some help I
would be superhappy.
My PC has started to powerdown itself randomly. It powers down
completely and when I hit the powerbutton on the case nothing happens.
I have to pull the power cord, wait for like five seconds, reconnect
it an voila, it works again.

It first started to happen when I played a game, and happened a couple
of times. I have been trying to locate a pattern in when it happens
and recently when I tried to tranfer a folder containing 1.5 gig to my
xbox it just shut down several times before it finished.

Last week I turned it in to the shop where I bought almost all of the
parts just a month ago or two. They told that it was the graphics card
(which was the only part i didnt buy in their store ofcourse!) they
changed it and charged me 100 dollars. I felt like i was ripped off
but if it worked i would accept it ofcourse. When i came home with the
pc it was just the same again.
Now I have turned it in once again and feel really depressed about it
all because the shop doesnt seem to find any problem either since it
happens randomly.

I think it might be the psu, since ever the fans in the psu stops when
the computer shuts off.
Do you have any suggestions? I would really appreciate help on this
one, thanks.

This is my setup:
Mobo: Abit vt7 (800mhz bus) (2 months old)
CPU: Intel P4 3.0ghz 512cache boxed (2 months old)
mem: A-data memory soultion 1gb dualchannel DDR400 (correctly
installed)
memory (two months old)
HD:Hitachi 180gb 180gxp 8mb cache
PSU: Q-tec 400W dual gold
DVDRW: NEC 2500
video adapter ATI radeon 9200se
Audio: creative audigy

thankful for help
/Niklas

 

[David Maynard]

Hi.
I am dealing with a really tricky problem and if I can get some help I
would be superhappy.
My PC has started to powerdown itself randomly. It powers down
completely and when I hit the powerbutton on the case nothing happens.
I have to pull the power cord, wait for like five seconds, reconnect
it an voila, it works again.

It first started to happen when I played a game, and happened a couple
of times. I have been trying to locate a pattern in when it happens
and recently when I tried to tranfer a folder containing 1.5 gig to my
xbox it just shut down several times before it finished.

Last week I turned it in to the shop where I bought almost all of the
parts just a month ago or two. They told that it was the graphics card
(which was the only part i didnt buy in their store ofcourse!) they
changed it and charged me 100 dollars. I felt like i was ripped off
but if it worked i would accept it ofcourse. When i came home with the
pc it was just the same again.
Now I have turned it in once again and feel really depressed about it
all because the shop doesnt seem to find any problem either since it
happens randomly.

First make them put your old card back in and give your money back for the
incorrect diagnosis.

I think it might be the psu, since ever the fans in the psu stops when
the computer shuts off.

Well, the fans *should* go off when the PSU shuts down.

I can't guarantee anything because I can't test it but...

For one, Q-Tec thinks that 'specifications' means saying it's gold colored.
There is not ONE hint on their web page of how much current it can
supposedly handle on any power rail. See here...
http://www.qtec.info/products/product.htm?artnr=13023&specs=1

Second, the last person in here complaining about sudden power downs had a
Q-Tec Dual Fan Gold Power Supply, which was when I first located their
'specifications' page.

Third, when searching the last time I also found this customer review.
Guess what his problem was...

http://www.casetech.co.uk/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/50/products_id/231

"I've had real problem with my system* not booting up and staying up."

He claims to have asked for, and received, specifications from Q-Tec with
some actual current numbers, which are horrific.

"Total "Real" power output [W] 300" (not 400, which they say is 'peak')

It gets worse.

"Output current +5V [A] 25A (Sticker 30A)
Output current +12V [A] 12A (Sticker 16A)
Output current -5V [A] 0,5A (Sticker 1,0A)
Output current -12V [A] 0,5A (Sticker 1,0A)
Output current +3.3V [A] 14A (Sticker 20A)
Output current +5V STB [A] 1,5A (Sticker 2,0A)
Maximal total power for 3.3 and 5 combined [Watt] 150 W (Sticker 180W)"

In other words, the sticker lies (no wonder they don't put this on the web
page). But since they lie on the sticker what assurance is there that it
does even the "real" (sic) numbers?

And for those reasons I wouldn't trust it as far as I could throw it.

 

[JK]

Sounds like a power supply problem. Why don't you get an Antec power supply
that is at least 350 watts?

 

[DaveW]

Sounds like a component in the power supply unit is overheating. I would
next try replacing the power supply unit with a known working one of
adequate power output.

 

[AndrewJ]

Sounds like a power supply problem. Why don't you get an Antec power supply
that is at least 350 watts?

A flaky power strip can cause that also. And it might work perfect
with power tools and any other thing but a PC. Trying another outlet
doesn't hurt either.