Computer Shuts Down

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x8502

n00b
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
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My work computer is shutting down out of nowhere. Sometimes it can run for an hour or so but eventually youll here a buzzing noise and then itll just turn off. The power light stays on but its the amber light like its in standby mode. Its an older gateway 1.5 p4. If I unplug the cable then turn it back on it usually works but eventually itll do it again, the screen freezes for about 1 minute and then itll power off. If I dont unplug the computer and try to hit the test button on the power supply nothing happens but if I unplug it and plug it back in and then hit the test button it works fine. Any ideas??

Thanks
 
Pop the side off and look at the capacitors, if they look popped or like they are oozing something, then that is probably what is causing it. You also might check to make sure you have good air flow through the case.

If the caps do look blown you might try replacing them or just junk the machine.....some people dont think its worth the work....it depends on how much time you want to put in it.
 
Lamont thanks for the reply, I looked but I cant see anything. In fact, im typing on it as we speak but I know eventually itll do it again. I put the side cover back on and blew all the dust out of it with a can of air.

RoBo, I have my own business. I can get another computer but right now im just trying to get everything of this HD. I got over 20 gigs of boat plans and sales reciepts I need to backup.
 
x8502 said:
I got over 20 gigs of boat plans and sales reciepts I need to backup.
Click to expand...

another option to pull off your plans/sales information, (if its just on 1 drive,) would be to pull that drive out and slap it in an external enclosure to pull it off onto another system.

Beyond the dust issue I would also check to ensure all of the fans are spinning correctly, (it sounds like a heat issue).

Another possibility would be that one of the power connectors came loose at some point, it might not hurt to re-seat those connectors again to make sure its getting a clean powersource.
 
PSU could be on the way out, motherboard could have blown/swollen caps as another suggested... it could be either, really. If the motherboard is dead you're probably better off just building a new machine. If it's the PSU even this thing at $35 with free shipping would get you back in the game -- not like it's a high-draw machine. Do you have another PSU available to test with?
 
I replaced the power supply and its doin the same thing, I checked all the connectors and all my fans were working. Im thinking it was the motherboard also. Ohh well, Ill do as you said and get a external enclosure for the HD, thats a good idea.Im gonna head out soon and pick up another computer, thanks for the suggestions guys.
 
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