Computer Shutsdown Suddenly

[laplace]

I just upgraded an older PC with an ECS/Sempron 2500+, yes the bargain
at Outpost.com, and it is very fast and a big improvement over the
Duron 900 it replaced.

However, there is a small problem. Occasionally, the computer just
shutsdown like the instant shutoff button was pushed. It boots back
up, with no problem, and runs perfectly for 30min to an hour, and then
down it goes again. Sometimes, it shuts down when setting idle.

Has anyone else had this problem with this combo?

Thanks for your help.

EE

System Information:

PC2700 Kingston Memory
WD 120 HD
ECS, K7VTA3 Motherboard
420 Watt Power Supply


I've checked the PC's health in Bios and it indicates a CPU temp. in
a range of 38 - 43 degrees, depending on what activity was being
performed at the time of shutdown.

 

[laplace]

Additional info.

Win98 SE OS

In Device Manager, there is a yellow "?" beside PCI Serial Bus, and a
note in Properties indicating that drivers are not installed. I'll
try to re-install drivers.

EE

 

[Guest]

I just upgraded an older PC with an ECS/Sempron 2500

Occasionally, the computer just shutsdown

PC2700 Kingston Memory
WD 120 HD
ECS, K7VTA3 Motherboard
420 Watt Power Supply

I've checked the PC's health in Bios and it indicates a CPU temp. in
a range of 38 - 43 degrees, depending on what activity was being
performed at the time of shutdown.

38-43C is cool for a CPU. Check voltages to verify that they're
within 3% of stated values, and use a digital meter since health
reporting systems rely upon inaccurate hardware. Low voltages
indicate a weak power supply or poor power connections (dirty or
loose). What power supply do you have? Power ratings can be highly
misleading, with the best 300W supplies having more actual capacity
than some 450W units. The K7VTA3 taxes the +3.3V and +5V most heavily
and doesn't use the +12V.

 

[laplace]

Thanks for the info.

Brand of Power Supply is Power Up, which is not an expensive brand. I
checked the nameplate and it indicates that the (+5 & +3.3 V total is
230 W), so this may be my problem.

The MB has a place to plug in the 12 V. four prong lead from Power
Supply, but I didn't plug it in. Would plugging it in help?

Thanks,

EE

 

[Bad Bob]

I just upgraded an older PC with an ECS/Sempron 2500+, yes the bargain
at Outpost.com, and it is very fast and a big improvement over the
Duron 900 it replaced.

However, there is a small problem. Occasionally, the computer just
shutsdown like the instant shutoff button was pushed. It boots back
up, with no problem, and runs perfectly for 30min to an hour, and then
down it goes again. Sometimes, it shuts down when setting idle.

Has anyone else had this problem with this combo?

Thanks for your help.

EE

System Information:

PC2700 Kingston Memory
WD 120 HD
ECS, K7VTA3 Motherboard
420 Watt Power Supply


I've checked the PC's health in Bios and it indicates a CPU temp. in
a range of 38 - 43 degrees, depending on what activity was being
performed at the time of shutdown.

Run Memtest 86 on your ram to eliminate that.

 

[larrymoencurly]

Brand of Power Supply is Power Up, which is not an expensive
brand. I checked the nameplate and it indicates that the
(+5 & +3.3 V total is 230 W), so this may be my problem.

The MB has a place to plug in the 12 V. four prong lead from
Power Supply,

I'm surprised because the K7VTA3, at least up to version 8.0c, lacked
that plug.

but I didn't plug it in. Would plugging it in help?

Always plug it in if the motherboard has a matching plug because the
sole +12V wire (yellow) on larger 20-pin power connector can't
reliably provide more than about 6-8A, and a 2500+ Sempron may draw
10A.

Power Up is not a good brand, probably made by Deer, which has a poor
reputation. An Antec or Fortron (Sparkle, Hi-Q, Powerman, Power-Q)
would be much safer, and Newegg sells the latter for low prices.

 

[David Maynard]

Thanks for the info.

Brand of Power Supply is Power Up, which is not an expensive brand. I
checked the nameplate and it indicates that the (+5 & +3.3 V total is
230 W), so this may be my problem.

The MB has a place to plug in the 12 V. four prong lead from Power
Supply, but I didn't plug it in. Would plugging it in help?
yes

 

[laplace]

Sorry, the K7VTA3 does not have the 12V plug. I confused it with
another system I'm building, Abit NF7-S/Barton Mobile 2500+, which
blazes at 2400 Mhz. I think I need to take a break.

I'll order some better Power Supplies.

Thanks to all who offered help.

EE

 

[Benjamin Tse]

I have a similar setup (motherboard/CPU also purchased from Frys) with
similar problems. I'm suspecting the RAM/motherboard combo.

ECS K7VTA3, Sempron 2400
Seagate 120 HDD

I've tried two power supplies (350 and 400W). Also swapped out several
video cards.

Run Memtest 86 on your ram to eliminate that.

I get repeated errors on test 5 of memtest86. With a single 512Mb
stick the errors are always at the 495 and 510Mb mark.

I've tried two sticks of ram one Samsung PC3200 and a Veritech PC2700.
Both give the same memory errors at around the same address. With both
sticks of RAM the errors are just past the 1000Mb mark. I've rotated
the RAM into each slot still with no luck.

I'm almost at the point of just buying another motherboard.

Cheers,
Ben