[Ham-Computers] Computer shutting itself down

[Dale Miller]

Dave Corio wrote:
>    Wow! Thanks for all the fast responses! Let me expand on the
> situation a bit more.
>
>    This PC has been a lemon since day one. So far, the hard drive has
> been replaced three times, the motherboard has been replaced twice,
> the CPU fan once, and the power supply once. Also, when the
> motherboard was replaced, they used a 3.4 Ghz P-IV instead of the 2.6
> Ghz that it originally came with. All under warranty, thank goodness!
> It was shipped with a 250-watt power supply, but I have added the
> following:
>
>    NVIDIA TI-4200 video card with 128M of RAM (with a big honking fan!)
>    Soundblaster 24-bit sound card (also still using the on-board sound
> card)
>    4-port RS-232  card
>    two to three USB devices
>    Added 512M of RAM for a full 1G
>
>    All this requires power - and I suspect that the power supply just
> isn't up to all I am demanding of it.
>
>    I have tested the memory using a stress tester, in addition to
> running the memory test at each startup. The CPU fan is clean and
> unobstructed and working very well (it was just replaced by Gateway to
> "fix" this shutdown problem). All vents in the PC have been cleaned,
> and you could eat off the interior of the PC! I also did a Windows
> Repair per Gateway's instructions in case it was an OS problem. (The
> OS is Windows 2000 Pro, if I failed to mention that)
>
>    If I don't ask much of the CPU, it will run forever without a
> problem. However, if I put a demand on it, chances are it will shut
> itself off. I run a program called "SETI at home" which does computations
> when the computer is idle. Whenever I tell the program to use both of
> the dual processors available in the P-IV, the PC will turn itself off.
>
>    The machine never shuts itself off when I'm actually using it. It
> waits until it is idle, then simply dies. No warning, no error
> message, it simply turns itself off. There are no events logged at
> this shutdown, although using the event viewer I can see the startup
> routines when I restart it.
>
>    The killer part of this is that while the CPU fan runs very well,
> it's dumping the heat it vents directly into the power supply! There
> is a great deal of heat coming out the back of the PC via the fan in
> the power supply. If I hold my hand over the outlet of the CPU fan, I
> can tell it is moving the heat very efficiently.
>
>    I am thinking of just ordering a 450-watt power supply, but with
> money a little tight right now, I want to be as certain as possible
> that this will fix the problem. Replacing the computer is out of the
> question at this time, and I also don't have another I can use.
>
>    Sorry for being so long-winded, and thanks again - and in advance!
> - for any and all help!
>
> 73
> Dave
> KB3MOW
>

Dave, the power supply is probably your problem then. All that you have
in that system your on the right track to replace it. But, might I
suggest buy the largest that you can afford, or that will fit in the
case. It sure wouldn't hurt to buy a 550 watt instead of that 450. Mind
you the 450 is probably large enough but if you decide to add something
else you have the room to add.



-- 
All the Best & 73's
Dale Miller, KC2CBD
Tennessee
Ham Operator since 1997
Member of YahooPipesmokers and ASP since February 2005

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