PC turns itself off

[One 6699]

I have a PC build on Supermicro P6DBE mob which has been working with
out any problem for over 8 years. Unfortunately recently it started
misbehaving it simply suddenly turns itself off for a few seconds and
then turns itself on again. First I thought it was something to do with
OS (Suse 10.0). But I couldn't find anything in the log files. Just the
other day I was sitting next to it and I was able to see the moment
when it suddenly it just cut the power off and then sort of restarted
itself.
I suspect that it must be power supply but I'm not sure how to prove
it. I can't think of any other component in a PC that would have such a
effect. I must stress that when it happens the power goes off for just
a second or two but it's enough the cause a reboot.
Does anybody has any suggestions ?

 

[PH]

First check where the strip plugs into the wall outlet. Move the plug side
to side to see if this causes the problem. If it does you have a loose
conductor on the receptacle. Turn off tthe breaker remove the receptacle and
tighten the connections.

 

[PH]

If any other receptacle on the same circuit has a loose connection either
being a loose neutral or hot lead when a vibration occurs could cause an
intermittent power outage. I've seen a slammed door cause this. If you use a
power strip it could be faulty. I would recommend using an extension cord
and running the PC off another circuit temporarily to see if that corrects
it. Don't immediately condemn the PC's power supply.

 

[caterbro]

I suspect that it must be power supply but I'm not sure how to prove
it.

test the rails on the one you have witha mutlimeter, make sure they're
~.25 of the rated power draw, or replace the PSU and wait.

I can't think of any other component in a PC that would have such a
effect.

many, many on a motherboard. bad caps, flaky chips, corroded pinsets,
RF interference, a few good power surges and you can get some very,
very wierd effects.

I must stress that when it happens the power goes off for just
a second or two but it's enough the cause a reboot.
Does anybody has any suggestions ?

phantom reboots are, alas, usually signs of impending death for a
motherboard. 8 years = your money's worth, in spades.


carl

 

[JAD]

First check where the strip plugs into the wall outlet. Move the plug side
to side to see if this causes the problem. If it does you have a loose
conductor on the receptacle. Turn off tthe breaker remove the receptacle
and tighten the connections.

8 years is a good stretch, I think you have gotten your moneys worth. The
only way to 'prove' it would be buy a new one. Most 'testers' aren't very
good and a PSU for your rig should be inexpensive, you don't need 600w or
triple cooling fans with lights.

I

 

[One 6699]

If any other receptacle on the same circuit has a loose connection
either being a loose neutral or hot lead when a vibration occurs could
cause an intermittent power outage. I've seen a slammed door cause
this. If you use a power strip it could be faulty. I would recommend
using an extension cord and running the PC off another circuit
temporarily to see if that corrects it. Don't immediately condemn the
PC's power supply.

Thanks guys for your replays. I've checked the power cable and the
sockets they all are all right. I'm incline to agree that it must be a
motherboard, probably a capacitor or something. If it was a power
supply it would probably turn itself for longer where in this case it's
just a second.
Well, I'm sad, I've liked that mob very much. It served me so well and
despite it's age it's still quite a fast machine 2*850 MHz. I just wish
it was the Dell crap next to it that went down.

 

[JAD]

Thanks guys for your replays. I've checked the power cable and the sockets
they all are all right. I'm incline to agree that it must be a
motherboard, probably a capacitor or something. If it was a power supply
it would probably turn itself for longer where in this case it's just a
second.

nope not necessarily, although the MB is in the capboom era.

 

[Eric]

I have a PC build on Supermicro P6DBE mob which has been working with out
any problem for over 8 years. Unfortunately recently it started misbehaving
it simply suddenly turns itself off for a few seconds and then turns itself
on again. First I thought it was something to do with OS (Suse 10.0). But I
couldn't find anything in the log files. Just the other day I was sitting
next to it and I was able to see the moment when it suddenly it just cut
the power off and then sort of restarted itself.
I suspect that it must be power supply but I'm not sure how to prove it. I
can't think of any other component in a PC that would have such a effect.
I must stress that when it happens the power goes off for just a second or
two but it's enough the cause a reboot.
Does anybody has any suggestions ?

Hi,

One of my old systems is built around a P6DBU (2 x 850Mhz, 1GB ECC). I
built it about ~7.5 years ago. Likewise, it was also a nice board for me as
well. (Only difference between P6DBE and P6DBU is that the P6DBU has
onboard SCSI.)

It has run a gauntlet of OS's over the years: WinNT/XP, Linux, FreeBSD,
Solaris, and even SCO for a while. It was my main computer for a number of
years before retiring for "home server" type stuff...

I'm sure you already checked, but whenever I get those instantaneous reboots
it was always from heat. Taking the CPU's out and cleaning the heat sink
and fans always fixed it...

As already mentioned, bad caps from that era were common too. I guess I got
lucky with my P6DBU...

Yeah, I can see why you would rather lose the old Dell. My P6DBU is still
giving a lot of mileage. If I were to lose it, I'd probably look for
another Supermicro dual Slot-1 MB to replace it...