Computer keeps shutting down

[didikai]

I had this problem for a few months. Whenver the computer seems to be working hard, like using AutoGK it would shut down. But I would be able to restart it after it seemed to cool down for a bit.
I did get some errors messages about 'overclocking'
The last time it shut down it fried my C Drive.
I got back and running after disconnecting the C Drive and making the D drive C.
I thought the problem was a faulty hard drive.
But I have just tried to use AutoGK again and it shut down again.
Any help please

[poisondeathray]

Sounds like your PC is overheating

Check your temps with coretemp or similar temp monitoring program.

Reset your overclock to default settings if it is overclocked.

Clean out the dust and fans from your heatsink, ensure adequate airflow

Consider investing in an aftermarket HSF if you can't get temps under control

[minidv2dvd]

how about some details of the computer?

heat would seem to be the problem start with getting rid of any overclocking as that causes extra heat. clean the heat sink/fan unit. clean the case fans. clear out any cables around the cpu that might block airflow. vacuum out the dust bunnies. clean off the old cpu thermal compound and replace with high quality.

lots more you can do.

[didikai]

how about some details of the computer?

heat would seem to be the problem start with getting rid of any overclocking as that causes extra heat. clean the heat sink/fan unit. clean the case fans. clear out any cables around the cpu that might block airflow. vacuum out the dust bunnies. clean off the old cpu thermal compound and replace with high quality.

lots more you can do.

How do you reset overclocking?

[redwudz]

The item that sounds odd is losing the C drive. I would agree it sounds like a overheat problem, except for that. Maybe it shut down a few too many times when the C drive was writing. That could corrupt the drive. But normally doesn't physically damage it.

But another possibility is a failing power supply. If cleaning out the dust cools it down and solves the problem. great. If it it looks like this inside, then I think you may have found the problem :



If a CPU overheats a lot, the thermal compound on the heatsink may have hardened and is not as efficient. If the CPU temps are still high after cleaning, you may still have a problem. You might consider pulling the HS, cleaning and applying new thermal compound.

I would also go into BIOS and see if you have a hardware monitoring page. That usually shows voltages, fan speeds and CPU and case temps. You can also check the temperature of the air coming out of the power supply. If it's hot like a hair dryer, blow out the dust. If still hot, consider replacing it.

EDIT: If your P4 CPU is a Prescott, that could explain the overheat is they run hot anyway and good cooling is important. A program like CPU-Z will tell you the CPU model and what speed it's running at. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

[didikai]

The item that sounds odd is losing the C drive. I would agree it sounds like a overheat problem, except for that. Maybe it shut down a few too many times when the C drive was writing. That could corrupt the drive. But normally doesn't physically damage it.

But another possibility is a failing power supply. If cleaning out the dust cools it down and solves the problem. great. If it it looks like this inside, then I think you may have found the problem :

I would also go into BIOS and see if you have a hardware monitoring page. That usually shows voltages, fan speeds and CPU and case temps. You can also check the temperature of the air coming out of the power supply. If it's hot like a hair dryer, blow out the dust. If still hot, consider replacing it.

EDIT: If your P4 CPU is a Prescott, that could explain the overheat is they run hot anyway and good cooling is important. A program like CPU-Z will tell you the CPU model and what speed it's running at. http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

On the last crash I formatted the corrupted hard drive (C)
But when I reinstalled windows it installed onto my drive D
But the computer wouldn't boot. I disconnected drive C and the computer booted. I switched cables to see if that was it but got the same problem.
My D drive is now renamed C

No, my computer looks clean inside. But the air from the power supply vent at the back is hottish.

My P4 CPU is a Prescott

[minidv2dvd]

get the free coretemp program and run it during an encoding session and see how high the temps are going.

[redwudz]

Try this then; Pull off the side cover and direct a desktop fan in there. If that keeps it running, then you likely do have a cooling problem. I would also check the temps, especially of the CPU. Prescotts should have a fairly high shut down temp, probably 70C or maybe higher. If it shuts down at maybe 60C, then the motherboard may be doing the shutdown. You should be able to check those settings in BIOS. Some MB BIOS's just have a buzzer you can set to show overheating.

What's the brand and power rating of your power supply? There should be a label on the side of it. If it's rated at 250 - 350W, may be minimal. A good PS is very important to the health of a PC. If it fails it can take everything with it. But if it's rated 400W or greater and is a good quality brand, maybe OK. But hot air or a hot smell from a PS is a warning sign.

A couple of temp monitoring programs that work well for me are Core Temp: http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ and HWMonitor: http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php I prefer HWMonitor as it has a bit more info. Both are freeware. Neither may be 100% accurate, but they work well enough. Some of the other temps they list may be the Northbridge and GPU, though not always. It also should show your hard drive temps.

There are many other problems that can cause shutdown besides high temps, but you need to eliminate overheat as a cause first.

[didikai]

What's the brand and power rating of your power supply? There should be a label on the side of it. If it's rated at 250 - 350W, may be minimal. A good PS is very important to the health of a PC. If it fails it can take everything with it. But if it's rated 400W or greater and is a good quality brand, maybe OK. But hot air or a hot smell from a PS is a warning sign.


There are many other problems that can cause shutdown besides high temps, but you need to eliminate overheat as a cause first.

Power supply is Asus 300w

With nothing significant running temps show at 45c - 50c
hard drive shows temp of 44c

[redwudz]

300W is a bit on the light side, depending on the draw of your graphics card, but should be sufficient. Not that familiar with the Prescotts, but those idle temps don't sound too high. Try an encode and see what they get up to.

That 'overclocking' error may relate to a RAM problem. If your temps and the PS aren't the problem, you might try some RAM tests, or if you have a couple of sticks in there, try pulling one and see if the problem is still there, then substitute the other and check again. Or you can try a RAM test program like Memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/ There's a free version there.

[didikai]

300W is a bit on the light side, depending on the draw of your graphics card, but should be sufficient. Not that familiar with the Prescotts, but those idle temps don't sound too high. Try an encode and see what they get up to.

That 'overclocking' error may relate to a RAM problem. If your temps and the PS aren't the problem, you might try some RAM tests, or if you have a couple of sticks in there, try pulling one and see if the problem is still there, then substitute the other and check again. Or you can try a RAM test program like Memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/ There's a free version there.

O.K. thanks to all for the suggestions.
One weird sympton, it that when the c omputer shuts off I have to turn off and on the power at source to get the computer to reboot. It's no good switching off and on the computer
The last time I had to unplug the power source, and plug it into a different socket before it would power up

[minidv2dvd]

the power off problem is not a good thing. it might be as simple as the battery on the motherboard is dead, but i'd start saving up to build a new system. if you need this one to live maybe a new power supply would be a place to start. it could be the motherboard though. some of them in your time frame have capacitors that develop leaks and don't regulate the voltages well which can cause all kinds of problems, overheating, blue screens, ram errors, drive problems....

you never did say if this one is overclocked?

[didikai]

the power off problem is not a good thing. it might be as simple as the battery on the motherboard is dead, but i'd start saving up to build a new system. if you need this one to live maybe a new power supply would be a place to start. it could be the motherboard though. some of them in your time frame have capacitors that develop leaks and don't regulate the voltages well which can cause all kinds of problems, overheating, blue screens, ram errors, drive problems....

you never did say if this one is overclocked?

I don't know how to check for overclocking.
How do I check and / or rectify?
Thanks

[minidv2dvd]

i you bought the computer as a unit and didn't change anything it most likely isn't overclocked. right click on my computer/properties/general and see what it says for "computer:" it should list your processor, speed, and memory.

[didikai]

i you bought the computer as a unit and didn't change anything it most likely isn't overclocked. right click on my computer/properties/general and see what it says for "computer:" it should list your processor, speed, and memory.

Pentium(R) 4
CPU 3.00 GHz
3.00 GHz
1.99 Gig of ram

[minidv2dvd]

no overclocking there. the problems are elsewhere.

[didikai]

no overclocking there. the problems are elsewhere.

Thanks again for the input.
I'll start with a new power supply.

[Nelson37]

So you have two hard drives, 2 gb of Ram, a P4 of unknown speed, an ATI 550 capture card, and a 300W power supply? There's a problem right there.

You don't know how to check for overclocking, but you are disconnecting drive cables inside the case? Problem number two.

You get an error msg about overclocking, but don't bother to report the entire text of the message.

Power resets have required changes "at the source", presumably you are not throwing the main breaker switch.

Speed of the CPU, brand of the PC, type of video card, any UPS, surge protector, or switched outlet strip present, and the text of the mysterious "overclocking" message would be important information.

Was this unit locally assembled?

Is the only evidence of a problem with the C: drive the fact that after the re-install, which went to the D:, the unit would not boot until C: was disconnected?

Multiple screw-up possibilities combined with not enough information. Near certainty of configuration errors. Also a power supply that is probably too weak.

The indicators are this PC was assembled by someone who knew just enough to be dangerous. Need to check and correct all BIOS settings, CPU mount, PSU, and hard drives. Top to bottom check and test for suspect parts.

[didikai]

So you have two hard drives, 2 gb of Ram, a P4 of unknown speed, an ATI 550 capture card, and a 300W power supply? There's a problem right there.

You don't know how to check for overclocking, but you are disconnecting drive cables inside the case? Problem number two.

You get an error msg about overclocking, but don't bother to report the entire text of the message.

Power resets have required changes "at the source", presumably you are not throwing the main breaker switch.

Speed of the CPU, brand of the PC, type of video card, any UPS, surge protector, or switched outlet strip present, and the text of the mysterious "overclocking" message would be important information.

Was this unit locally assembled?

Is the only evidence of a problem with the C: drive the fact that after the re-install, which went to the D:, the unit would not boot until C: was disconnected?

Multiple screw-up possibilities combined with not enough information. Near certainty of configuration errors. Also a power supply that is probably too weak.

The indicators are this PC was assembled by someone who knew just enough to be dangerous. Need to check and correct all BIOS settings, CPU mount, PSU, and hard drives. Top to bottom check and test for suspect parts.

If you scroll to the top of the messages it says 'Newbie' That mean we know a little bit more than '**** All' about computers.
If you look a bit harder it says 'VideoHelp'
That's why we come here.

[redwudz]

You might try pulling the BIOS battery for a few minutes while the computer is unplugged, then re-install it, then plug it in and reboot. This will reset your BIOS back to default and if there was an overclock, eliminate it. A dead BIOS battery will just keep setting the BIOS back to default and the clock and date will always be wrong. But the computer will function normally most times.

But from an earlier post, it does sound like a motherboard or power supply problem. The front switch just sends a signal to the motherboard and it turns the power supply on and off. A bad connection in the computer is also a possibility. I would reseat all PCI and video cards and RAM modules. Pull them out and plug them back in. Also check all cables and connectors, just in case. That may eliminate a bad connection as the problem.

If that fails, remove all cards except the video card, unplug all drives except the boot drive and try again.

If that fails, you have left the boot drive, video card, RAM, motherboard and power supply. If you can substitute the RAM, video card and power supply, then you are down to the motherboard. As mentioned, check the tops of the capacitors (Round cans) next to and surrounding the CPU. If any of the tops are bulged out, consider replacing the motherboard.

[maton]

I had the same problem with my computer while playing games,
it turned out the power supply had an over heating cutout switch
replaced the power supply problem fixed

[Nelson37]

You need to enter BIOS-Setup, READ the information regarding CPU and memory speed, then check the actual chips, READ the specifications given on the physical parts, compare the two, and tell us what that says. Software alone can NOT reliably report this information.

There is absolutely, positively, not enough information to rule out "overclocking" as the cause of the problem.

I am well aware Newbies need help. I am also well aware that Newbies almost always leave out important information that is often critical to solving the problem, and often take steps in panic that makes the problem worse.

I've been fixing PC's for over 20 years now. I can't reach yours from here. More information is needed.

Replacing your power supply would be a good first step, is cheap, and can do no harm.

What appears to be a thermally-related shutdown during CPU-intensive tasks points to possible problems which can result in damage to expensive parts.

If this PC were in my shop, I would without doubt or question remove the CPU heatsink, clean and re-apply thermal paste, and re-install, replace the power supply, then disconnect the original D: drive and reformat and test the original C:drive. Also check BIOS mem and CPU speeds against installed parts as mentioned. There's more, but with the box in my hands I would be ab;e to quickly eliminate a lot of guesswork.

[maton]

I had the same problem with my computer while playing games,
it turned out the power supply had an over heating cutout switch
replaced the power supply problem fixed

Just to clarify my problem was with the power supply overheating,
but just to be on the safe side I'd follow Nelson37's advice