PC randomly just switching off

Wulfrune

How old is your graphics card?

Is it filthy and full of muck?

A non spinning fan is a massive no no, it will cause graphic corruptions and die.

You can test your card here, but you'll need Java script to run it.

http://have2chat.net/benchmark/?v=1

failing that.....

My money is on the PSU. Maplins do a cheap tester that tests the integrity of the rails.

Check out Maplins site and search for PSU tester.

I do not work for Maplins.

MothballsWallet

Wulfrune: the graphics card (and PC) are 8 1/2 years old.

I know that the system was switching off if I'd been watching Flash video from YouTube and sites that use blip.tv or Springboard as a host (such as ThatGuyWithTheGlasses.com, sfdebris.com or The Spoony Experiment), so that extra workload on the GPU could be triggering the switch offs if the fan's not running I'd imagine.

I tend to use internet video-based shows as an alternative to TV these days.

If I just do simple stuff like Windows Explorer, email and web browsing it seems to be OK - I'm not risking running it for too long like that at the moment.

I'll test out that site when I get home - I've also been in contact with the (local) shop where I bought it from, so they should be able to give me a price for a repair if I need to send it in.

paddyrg

Graphics fan not spinning - sounds like exactly the kind of thing that could cause this. If you can swap the fan out for a couple of quid it is probably worth doing.

Remember the song 'Vertigo' by U2? Old song, right? It was playing on the radio when you bought this PC, sometimes there comes a time to say goodbye...

Spankey

Use a dry paintbrush and give the fan a good clean our, also blow it out too, hard and fast breaths to clear any dust you cant see.
If the fan doesnt spin when the pc is on after this then it is broken and needs replacing.

MothballsWallet

Sorry for the lack of updates, everyone, and thanks for all your help.

I sent the PC into the shop on Wednesday evening and the chap called me to let me know that there was an electrical short on one of the power connectors on the motherboard and it had partially melted.

He can't find a new motherboard because of the age of the system, so has recommended replacing it. I'm getting my hard drive returned tonight so can transfer data from that and my 2TB external drive when I get a new system.

I'm going to be away for 2 weeks so will buy a new PC when I return.

Mr_Toad

At least you know what it was and you won't be losing your data which is always a bonus!

battleborn

Hope the repair shop didnt raid your hard drive for stuff.

leeves

WendellG wrote: »

PSU units are pretty standard and easy to change, there's usually just 4 screws near the fan that holds it in place.

Just make sure you get a replacement with the right connectors (IDE or SATA) and the right wattage. It shouldn't cost more than £20.

It could also be down to the CPU or something on the motherboard, but all you can do is eliminate possibilities.

Please don't skimp on a PSU, Its almost as bad as getting a budget Mobo... Get one with at least 82% efficiency and 2x 12v rails.


The problem is CPU overheating - 57oc at idle / power up is vastly high, even for an AMD CPU. Take it off, clean it down and add some new thermal compound - Should sort it right out. (thermal compound £3.99 - Get a ceramic based one)

dm827430

another thing..do you smoke near the box?
i used to smoke in my office and it would knacker fans/boards etc within 12 months
towers sitting on carpet used to suck up so much fluff too