PC Suddenly Shut Off, Won't Turn Back On

[narf]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

Specs:

Intel C2D 2.66 GHz
Kingston 2x2GB DDR2 RAM
Radeon HD 4670
WD Caviar Black 500GB

When padding that out with standard components (couple of fans, four HDDs, DVD burner, four RAM sticks, some USB, etc - in case you may want to add more stuff later) I get a power consumption of 240W, so a 300W PSU would be a bit on the edge, but anything with 400+W will do.

[PacketCollision]

Originally Posted by johns13193

+1, my 500w earthwatts is fantastic.

Mine too.

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by thevictor390

Or Corsair or OCZ.

But my current one is a OCZ, didn't even last a year.

Between that Cooler Master and Thermaltake I posted before, which one should I go for?

I've been reading better things about the Thermaltake, but it costs more.

[johns13193]

Yeah, thats the exact same coolermaster one I had. It was nice, cool, and pretty quiet. The thermaltake has a 5 year warranty (compared to 3), so I'd be more inclined to get that one.

[NecroJoe]

I have a thermaltake in my current computer. Athon xp2400. :-p It's performed flawlessly since the 2400 was the fastest Athlon available (so...more than just a year or two) it's just that it's loud. It gets too hot with the fan turned down, so it's always cranked up. It's an older model, though, so maybe they've changed how they run. *shrugs*

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by WillDAQ

No, the PSU supplies multiple voltages at various currents. Running an LED is a far simpler job,

Yes, but most of the time, that light is to indicate that everything is kosher as far as power is concerned.

I'm gonna be devil's advocate and remain skeptical about it being the PSU.

Is there adequate cooling? I've had computers inexplicably shut off before because a wire jammed into the CPU fan and tripped the BIOS "I'm gonna shutdown if things get too hot" setting.

[narf]

Cooling issues disappear by letting it sit for a while, as long as nothing got damaged.

[73GMCSprint]

I've used both Coolermaster and Thermaltake in different builds. My 5-year-old Thermaltake was still running perfectly when I pulled it out of my computer a week ago to do a complete upgrade. On the other hand, the Coolermaster died after maybe 3 years. It was replaced with another Thermaltake. I'd say the CM was pretty decent, at least up until the point it cooked several capacitors.

Thermaltake definitely gets my recommendation, as does Corsair.

[waydee]

Just on the offchance:

I had a motherboard once that had a similar problem every now and then but always fixed itself with a hard BIOS reset - somewhere near the BIOS chip there is usually a bank of pins and a jumper that are often labelled. If not then there will be a diagram in the motherboard manual - moving the jumper and pushing the power button causes the BIOS to clear and reset to its factory state. Put the jumper back into its original position and try the power button again.

It is likely a blown PSU but I just thought I'd mention it because it's worked for me in the past, for whatever reason - dodgy motherboard most likely.

[Ilpav]

Basically, I need to get my computer running today because I need some files from my HDD for an assignment due tomorrow.

There is still a warranty on my OCZ because I bought it last November, so should I go home and try to hard reset my BIOS (because It still isn't 100% true that it's the PSU that died, there could just be something wrong with the Mobo), or go and get that the new PSU.

Thing is, if it's the mobo that's gone wrong, then I can't start my computer at all. If I get the new PSU, I can test both; if it starts, then the old PSU broke, if it doesn't, then it's the Mobo.

If it is the Mobo, what could have possible gone wrong? It did take a bit of physical abuse when I first got it (I was pushing fans, RAM sticks, and VGA card on it, so the board was flexing a bit, but didn't bend out of shape), but it ran fine since November.

[narf]

If you need the files badly, you can just plug the HDD in the computer you're currently using, or stick them in an external HDD case.

[argatoga]

Bad power from your home can do it. I'm assuming it isn't connected to a UPS. I still think it is the PSU.

[Dogbert]

Originally Posted by argatoga

Bad power from your home can do it. I'm assuming it isn't connected to a UPS. I still think it is the PSU.

Truth. My ex always blamed me for her shitty computer dying so much until I pointed out it was always the PSU dying, which was drawing power straight from the socket in a house built about the same time man discovered fire.

[PacketCollision]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

Basically, I need to get my computer running today because I need some files from my HDD for an assignment due tomorrow.

There is still a warranty on my OCZ because I bought it last November, so should I go home and try to hard reset my BIOS (because It still isn't 100% true that it's the PSU that died, there could just be something wrong with the Mobo), or go and get that the new PSU.

It's most likely the power supply. That being the case, go buy a new one from a store with a good return policy (and on a credit card so you can issue a chargeback if necessary), plug the new one into your computer. Hopefully it boots up, in which case you RMA the old one and prey they send you a new one before your return window is up. If it doesn't work, return the new PSU and try buying a new motherboard. Repeat with each part of your computer until it boots up. If replacing a single part does not fix it, you're royally screwed, but try replacing the motherboard and PSU, and then replace the RAM and finally the CPU as well if it refuses to boot. Once it is booted, swap the old parts in one at a time to double-check which ones got fried (full disclosure: if your PSU is super busted it could fry your new components).

Originally Posted by narf

If you need the files badly, you can just plug the HDD in the computer you're currently using, or stick them in an external HDD case.

I second this. The one of the most useful things I carry around when I might be asked to repair a computer is couple of HD->USB adapters; they've let me recover the data on otherwise dead computers many times.

[Ilpav]

Thanks for all the suggestions. ALL IS WELL!!!!

I went yesterday and bought a new PSU (OCZ StealthXstreme 500W) for $45 (same price as the CoolerMaster 500W I showed earlier), plugged it in and it worked!!!

I had a bit of a scare, though; once I plugged the new one in it said "Select a proper boot device". I then restarted, went into the BIOS settings, and found that the only SATA component being recognized was the DVD drive, and not the HDD.

I got really scared that the old PSU could've fried my HDD as well, but I just adjusted the power plugs and it fired up!

The new PSU is slightly quieter and has A LOT less wires! The old one had so many wires, they were clogging up my case (that's because it was the 600W, and OCZ assumed that a lot of things will be connected to it, but not in my case, all I have to connect it to are the Mobo, 2 DVD drives, and 1 HDD ).

Regarding the files I wanted to get, I was using my brother's laptop, not a desktop, so I couldn't have connected a 3.5" drive. I do have a 160 GB 2.5" external HDD, but the files I needed weren't backed up on there, I finished the assignment at school anyway, so it's all good.

Now, regarding the old OCZ GameXstreme 600W, it has a 3-year OCZ "Power Swap" warranty, which will replace your broken one with a brand new one, instead of fixing it (thanks, OCZ for standing behind your product!). So, once I send it, I'm going to have a brand new GameXsteam 600W, what should I do with it; sell it, keep it as a backup, switch it out with the StealthXstreme and return that one?

I think I'll keep it as a backup and use the 500W for now.

I was in a bit of a dilemma yesterday; My school finished at 6:00 pm, and the computer store closes at 7pm. I could have either went home, did a hard reset on the motherboard and risk harming it, or I could have went to the store and just bought a PSU to find the real fault. I guess I picked the right option!

Anyway, thanks for all your help!

[Ilpav]

Well, a brand new GameXstream 600W arrived to my doorstep just now from OCZ, what should I do with it? Sell it? Keep it as a backup?

[argatoga]

Keep it as a backup. You won't make much selling it second hand.

[Ilpav]

Originally Posted by argatoga

Keep it as a backup. You won't make much selling it second hand.

But it's not second hand, It's brand new and sealed. I sent in the old broken one and it had a 3 year "Power Swap" warranty where they will send you a brand new replacement if yours breaks.

If I sell it, I could probably get pretty close to retail price on it.

[Vette Boss]

Originally Posted by Ilpav

But it's not second hand, It's brand new and sealed. I sent in the old broken one and it had a 3 year "Power Swap" warranty where they will send you a brand new replacement if yours breaks.

If I sell it, I could probably get pretty close to retail price on it.

Which do you prefer, quick money or a PC that has the same problem, again? If you sell it, you'll be left in the same situation.

[Ilpav]

I checked how much it costs from different sellers on shobbot.ca

http://www.shopbot.ca/pp-ocz-gamexst...ice-26647.html

I will put it up for sale for (not less than) $100 (CND), if nobody buys it, then I'll just keep it. Anyone here interested?