Computer Woes

Pickers · 18-04-2009, 07:29

Well it looks like the 'study' computer is giving up the ghost. Yesterday it randomly just shut off, like there had been a power cut, then it happened a few times on the trot in the evening - I thought it may have been a software issue.

This morning, I booted it up, and it loaded windows then powered off instantly. Then I thought I'd try it in safe mode, so got to the boot menu, and before I had chance to select anything it turned off (looking less like a software issue). Then I loaded BIOS fail safe settings and it powered off on the POST screen during the memory test.
Then I tried one more time, and it got further through the memory test before doing the same.

Ideas guys? Power supply up the swanny? RAM gone? Mobo?

Unfortunately I don't think I have compatible equipment to check each component, and I definitely don't have a lot of spare time to sort it

Desmo · 18-04-2009, 09:11

I'd start by taking a quick look inside and making sure all the power cables and components are slotted home OK.

Belmit · 18-04-2009, 09:30

Then try booting with just one stick of RAM in a slot, and swapping it for the other/s.

Also check the processor temperature in the BIOS if you can.

Mark · 18-04-2009, 11:05

I've had those exact symptoms three times now. All of them down to blown/about to blow capacitors. First in the power supply, then in the power regulation circuitry on the motherboard, then back to another power supply.

You'll usually be able to spot them on the motherboard - bulging/leaking/making whistling noises. It's a bit harder to spot them in the power supply.

Blighter · 18-04-2009, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

It's a bit harder to spot them in the power supply.

Just look/smell for smoke

At least, that's what I got when a bug crawled into my old laptop

Mark · 18-04-2009, 11:19

You only get the smoke when a component finally lets go of it. In my case, with an almighty bang and everything else in the room going off. I opened up the power supply and discovered a nice hole in the side of the capacitor.

Blighter · 18-04-2009, 11:21

It may just have been the burning carcuss of whatever went inside, as it did stay on when the smoke was coming out

Feek · 18-04-2009, 11:22

Sounds most like the PSU is starting to go a bit flaky.

Dymetrie · 18-04-2009, 11:47

Let me know the spec Picky, got lots of spares kicking around so might be able to ship some stuff over to you

Spare PSU as well if it's that which is on the way out

divine · 18-04-2009, 15:50

PSU, i'd put money on it. (Except I don't have any spare to make bets with, so I won't actually put money on it

)

If it was RAM, chances are 99 times in 100 it would give you BSODs and lock ups rather than straight up power offs.

18-04-2009, 07:29	#1
Pickers Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2,692	Computer Woes Well it looks like the 'study' computer is giving up the ghost. Yesterday it randomly just shut off, like there had been a power cut, then it happened a few times on the trot in the evening - I thought it may have been a software issue. This morning, I booted it up, and it loaded windows then powered off instantly. Then I thought I'd try it in safe mode, so got to the boot menu, and before I had chance to select anything it turned off (looking less like a software issue). Then I loaded BIOS fail safe settings and it powered off on the POST screen during the memory test. Then I tried one more time, and it got further through the memory test before doing the same. Ideas guys? Power supply up the swanny? RAM gone? Mobo? Unfortunately I don't think I have compatible equipment to check each component, and I definitely don't have a lot of spare time to sort it __________________ Pictures

18-04-2009, 09:11	#2
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	I'd start by taking a quick look inside and making sure all the power cables and components are slotted home OK. __________________

18-04-2009, 09:30	#3
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	Then try booting with just one stick of RAM in a slot, and swapping it for the other/s. Also check the processor temperature in the BIOS if you can. __________________

18-04-2009, 11:21	#7
Blighter Dubious Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,571	It may just have been the burning carcuss of whatever went inside, as it did stay on when the smoke was coming out __________________ Look at your signature, now back to mine, now back to yours, now back to mine. Sadly, yours isn't mine. But if you stopped writing about other things and made this your signature, yours could be like mine. Look down, back up. Where are you? You're on Boat Drinks, reading the signature your signature could be like. I'm on a computer. My Blog \| More Outdoors \| MSN \| Email \| Call Me

18-04-2009, 11:22	#8
Feek ex SAS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: JO01ou Posts: 10,062	Sounds most like the PSU is starting to go a bit flaky. __________________

18-04-2009, 11:05	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I've had those exact symptoms three times now. All of them down to blown/about to blow capacitors. First in the power supply, then in the power regulation circuitry on the motherboard, then back to another power supply. You'll usually be able to spot them on the motherboard - bulging/leaking/making whistling noises. It's a bit harder to spot them in the power supply.

18-04-2009, 11:19	#6
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	You only get the smoke when a component finally lets go of it. In my case, with an almighty bang and everything else in the room going off. I opened up the power supply and discovered a nice hole in the side of the capacitor.

18-04-2009, 11:47	#9
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Let me know the spec Picky, got lots of spares kicking around so might be able to ship some stuff over to you Spare PSU as well if it's that which is on the way out __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

18-04-2009, 15:50	#10
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	PSU, i'd put money on it. (Except I don't have any spare to make bets with, so I won't actually put money on it ) If it was RAM, chances are 99 times in 100 it would give you BSODs and lock ups rather than straight up power offs. __________________