Windows XP shuts off by itself!

[Martoch]

Hi guys!


Ok, I built a computer for my sister for Christmas and it's been running fine until lately...now it seems to have 2 problems:

1) a high pitched squealing noise with a blank screen will happen once in a while, she is able to do nothing except shut the computer off
2) the computer will just up and shut off on its own

Of course I'm concerned with heat being a factor because the computer has NEVER done this before and she does not have A/C in the house. She says that it doesn't feel too hot in the room, but she may just be used to it and not notice how hot it really is.

If not heat, what else might it be?

I'm having her reseat the video card to make sure it's not loose. I really can't have her check the PSU because she knows NOTHING about computers and is having a hard enough time with reseating the video card.

So basically, I'm just looking for some suggestions as to what it might be or if any of you have had this happen before. I never have so I'm starting fresh with this problem.

I don't think the specs matter at this point, I'm guessing temp is the issue. I'm on the phone with her right now and the initial temp right at startup is 49C and she said it was climbing.

Your thoughts?

Thanks!!!
Mike

[Martoch]

I just had her check the BIOS, it's showing the ABR (Anti-Burn Regulator) shutdown temp is at 85C and her CURRENT CPU temp on die is showing 81!!! That's just using the BIOS!


This has GOT to be a temp issue...what should I tell her to do aside from taking the side cover off?

[Martoch]

I had her pull the side cover off and slide the case from out of its little hiding spot...the CPU temp has already dropped 5 degrees!
Should I suggest that she buy a floor fan and have it blow straight onto the side of the case?

[PresterJohn]

you need to have better cooling:

- replace the hs/fan with something more powerful
- add some case fans for better airflow

having her run the pc w/o the side cover is merely an invitation to trouble later.

[TOAD6147]

AMD I assume? She may be better off with a Celery system.

[Martoch]

Originally posted by PresterJohn
you need to have better cooling:

- replace the hs/fan with something more powerful
- add some case fans for better airflow

I would, but I'm over 1000 miles away.


That's why I'm looking for other suggestions...would a floor fan blowing onto the case with the cover on help?

Yep, it's AMD. If she only had A/C it wouldn't be an issue...

[goldenbuddha]

Originally posted by TOAD6147
AMD I assume? She may be better off with a Celery system.

That is really bias, has no basis in logic, and not really helpful.

1) a high pitched squealing noise

Did you ask her if the CPU fan is spinning? It might have failed/or is failing. 80+ degrees is a very un-natural occurance.

2) the computer will just up and shut off on its own

When computers overheat, that tends to happen. The fan blowing into the side method might work, but it sure is ugly. I believe from what you said, either the CPU fan might have stopped working properly or at all, or the system might not be getting suffcient ventilation.

Is it located near a heater by chance? Can you remote admin her system? If you can you could install an app like motherboard monitor to see if the fans are all up and working.

[Martoch]

No heater around, but she did admit to squeezing the case between a dresser and a bookshelf. I had her check both case fans and the cpu/board fans, it took her 15 minutes to find them but they were all up and spinning.

I had already installed a hardware monitor for this reason, plus I had her keep the BIOS PC Health Status menu open while she pulled the case out from between the furniture. The temp started dropping right away, but I'm still concerned that once she puts the side cover back on the temp will slowly rise up again. Hopefully not as much though, I made her promise me that she would keep at least 2 feet of distance between the case and the nearest objects on all sides.

[goldenbuddha]

You set it up during christmas, thats about 6 months or so ago. Does she have a cat or dog? Something that can clog up the intake for the fan in front of the case?

If everything is working like they are, and the initial startup temp is 49 (which is quite normal) Does the spot where the computer is get any ventilation at all?

If she moves the comp away from the furniture and close the case up, will the weird problem still happen?

If she leaves the case open and have a fan blowing in, it will work. but if she opens the case and NOT have a fan blowing in, it will cause centralized heating around the cpus (hot spot) due to no movement of air, as the case fans will not function as designed (circulation in an enclosed case)

[TOAD6147]

That is really bias, has no basis in logic, and not really helpful.

Why is it bias? It wasn't intended to be since 10 out of my 12 computers are AMD-driven.
The basis in logic is that most Intels run cooler than most AMD's.
And what did YOU offer that was so dang helpful?