Help! My Computer Shuts down after 30 Mins

crevitz · Jul 10, 2009

This may not necessarily be a problem with Vista, here is the system specs:

X-Power 400w
Asus M3A-H
Western Digital 260GB S-ATA
Seagate 180GB IDE
Seagate 120GB IDE

AMD Athlon X2 2.9GHz (Overclocked to 3.1GHz)
WLAN Card - PCI

And I'm running 3-Case fans
and 2 Lights running off one inverter.

Vista Home Premium.

-----------------
now the problem i have of late, is that when i leave the computer running, normally only playing music or a film, after 30 minutes it my display goes blank: normally it doesn't (the monitor) display that there is no video input. But yet im blank, and then a minute goes buy and then my computer shuts off.

I've done a virus scan with NOD32 - came black clean
And a scan with Ad-Aware - again clean.

I've recently reinstalled all my Operating Systems (i multi-boot: XP, Vista and 7) for better file management.

I welcome any ideas. i keep leaning towards the power-supply not giving enough juice!

alienware · Jul 10, 2009

Hello crevitz,

The problem could be your power supply. It might be in a malfunctioning state. Another problem could be the hardware you are running. How long have you had the PC for? It may very well be a motherboard or processor issue. Reply back with any more info you have. I will be happy to help!

Regards,
alienware
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mkensinger · Jul 10, 2009

crevitz,

Please understand, this is only a guess (I don't have access to my Vista system right now to "play" with it and test), but it sounds more like a power management issue than a power supply issue to me.

If I understood you correctly, this is happening when you are playing music or video...something that does not require user input. No user input, no user...the system thinks it is not in use and goes into sleep mode...hybernates instead of actually shutting down.

Take a look at your power management settings (and the Tutorials here on the forums) and you might find a solution for this...

The only other thing that comes to mind is if the processor is overtemping and shutting itself down (less likely IMHO as music/video is not that processor intensive)...I only mention this as a possibility, but I do not think it is that likely.

I hope this is of some help...

My Best

Michael

whs · Jul 10, 2009

Another possible problem could be heat. Run Core Temp ( Core Temp ), minimize the Core Temp window and supervise the temp in the notification area by the clock. If it goes higher than 70C, you might want to check your box for dust, defective blowers, etc.

crevitz · Jul 10, 2009

Thank You,

Alienware:
the PC is fairly new, a build of mine from last October. The gear all looks in shape, Speedfan shows the CPU Fan running at 2500RPM which is its norm. All of the gear was bought new (bar 1 HDD and the power supply). This problem as i say has only just cropped up.

Mkensinger:
I thought exactly the same thing! i checked them all out, no settings are set to shut down, hibernate or stand by. and i havent installed ASUS AInap utility this time round. Even the HDD wont turn off for 40 minutes.

Speedfan highest temp when idle is 36C for one of the cores, and i cant imagine it going much higher just by playing music.

WHS:
I've ran the CoreTemp Software, it says that the the highest is 42C, which i plenty under my processors threshold.

This really bugging me now! :@ i really can't any faults with my hardware except the PSU which is probably between 1-3yrs old.

Any other thoughts or queries?

Thanking you!

whs · Jul 10, 2009

I would still open the box and see how it looks inside because the temp readings from AMD processors are sometimes misleading. On one of my AMD systems it shows 8C (in Florida in the afternoon with the doors wide open).

mkensinger · Jul 10, 2009

crevitz,

Wow...you may be right on the Power Supply...I didn't think so coz I'm running my system on a 380W system...(granted, I'm only running one HDD, one Optical drive beyond the MB & CPU plus three case fans) and mine runs 24/7 with no shutdowns.

I really thought it was an issue with power management...

I'd loan ya a P.S. ta try, but I don't think the cord would reach across the pond...

Good Luck...

My Best

Michael

kword88 · Jul 11, 2009

if you are still running the beta version of windows7 and not the RC, it will shut your computer off every half hour.

crevitz · Jul 13, 2009

Well, I Disconnected a FAN, and my Lights. and i havent had any power issues since, and ive been running my computer all day just playing music and internet.

So i can only assume it is the PSU lol!

can anyone recommend recommend one for around £40?

thank you for the pondering thoughts

Crevitz

whs · Jul 13, 2009

I installed this one recently ( Newegg.com - Antec earthwatts EA430 430W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.0 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies ). It is working really well. Antec is a make you can trust.

roy69 · Jul 13, 2009

If you are going to buy a psu then I would recommend corsia.

mkensinger · Jul 13, 2009

crevitz,

Unfortunately Newegg does not accept international orders at this time, but I do agree with whs on the Antec supplies...they have been rock solid for me for years. I have always used them for any of the upgrades I have done.

If 400 Watts isn't enough now, I personally would suggest a minimum of 500 Watts, just to have some overhead. I'm sorry, I do not know about pricing and availability in the UK, so roy69's suggestions are probably more appropriate than mine for you...

All My Best,

Michael

roy69 · Jul 13, 2009

mkensinger said:
crevitz,

Unfortunately Newegg does not accept international orders at this time, but I do agree with whs on the Antec supplies...they have been rock solid for me for years. I have always used them for any of the upgrades I have done.

If 400 Watts isn't enough now, I personally would suggest a minimum of 500 Watts, just to have some overhead. I'm sorry, I do not know about pricing and availability in the UK, so roy69's suggestions are probably more appropriate than mine for you...

All My Best,

Michael

Look at ebuyer and overclockers.uk, I have found ebuyer to give a very good service.

crevitz · Jul 13, 2009

Right, i've been looking on Ebuyer. Unfortunately budget is tight and have only really got £30 for the bleady thing!!!

But i found these two:

Hi-Power Black 600W 12cm Silent Fan PSU - 20+4pin, 1x PCI-E, 2x SATA - Ebuyer

and

CIT 600W Dual 12V Rail 12cm PSU - 20+4pin 2x SATA - Ebuyer

I've CiT Around a bit whereas its a first for Hi-Power, but there model seems to offer the PCI-E connector. Although i dont have an independent graphics card atm, in future i will. (but how well would you say an adapter would work? (i have one of those :P))

Thank you for all the help as well guys :D:

D

D

Sbrideau · Jul 13, 2009

I looked up the original power supply, and have found reviews saying that it was very ineffitient. So I knew it wasn't any good before reading half of the topic.

Now, I looked at both the power supplies linked, and there's chances they won't be much better than the one you already had. 20A on the 12V is quite low for a 600W PSU. That's one of the things you have to look out for.

crevitz · Jul 14, 2009

Hmm... Perhaps i should of done the same thing lol!

Ah, now thats a shame. I must admit i'm at a loss at what im looking for in a power supply (i'm naive enough to just look at the wattage).

I can perhaps stretch my budget to £40

I've just seen this one on ebuyer

Coolermaster 500W Extreme Passive PFC PSU - Ebuyer

It's Coolermaster, i know of the reputation (like duh?) in Cooling equipment. But ive never witnessed the PSU lines, any good do you reckon?

Overclockers are not looking exactly cheap im afraid.

roy69 · Jul 15, 2009

Your best bet it to look at reviews on google to get a broad spectrum of opinions.
Do not buy a cheap PSU, this is one of the items where you do get what you paid for.

Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU is the psu I use and I had the first one blow up on me (sparks were flying literally).

Ebuyer sent a courier to pick the item up, checked it, sent it back to corsiar and I had a brand new one within 4 days.

It is also modular so any cables not required can be left in the box.

starflame · Jul 16, 2009

Is this a new pc because 400W might not be enought.

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