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Recently Built Computer, Startup problems

F

Faraday815

n00b
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
18
Hey guys, I recently built a computer with your help on this board. The computer has been working great for about a month, but I loaded up some Avis on VLC, paused em', went downstairs, came back up and the computer was off. Pressing the front panel button to restart has usually lead it to start up, not even get to the black load screen before windows, the "boop" sound , and then everything just shuts off. I'm about to go to bed now, so I'll continue on this in the morning if more information is required . Everything is unplugged for now but heres the specs for it so far (I'm a real n00b at this stuff, but my hunch says it seems like a power supply/ power error? )

Board: Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L
Case/PSU: Sonata III 500
HDD: WD6400 AAKS
Drive: SH-S203B
RAM: corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5
CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600
GPU: GeFORCE 8800GS

OS : XP x64

I am using a rather old power strip, I think it could almost be around a decade, do you think this could be the problem? I had also been running the stock fan in the sonata case on the high setting. Could that add to it? It seemed the longer I waited before trying to front-panel button restart it, the longer it would go through the load screens before all the power shut off. I had also been recently using two monitors on Dual View, one LCD, the other CRT with the gray analog adapter. Like many times before, any help is greatly appreciated. I was just about to go to bed and this had me going haywire, so it's best to ask you guys.

Thanks
 
Try exchanging the powerstrip first...see if that helps.
Also, you did not tell us what PSU (Power Supply Unit) you are using and it's wattage.
That might help us out a lot.
It really sounds like your PSU died though.
 
I'll have to get a new powerstrip to test that out, but I was using the 500W EarthWatts that came with the Sonata III 500 case

Edit : I just turned it on, and it loaded into Windows fine. So it seems that the longer its off, the better it will run when turned back on? I don't know if the problem will persist. I put the fan on the low setting, and unplugged the second monitor and a lamp from the powerstrip that has the monitors and PC on it.
 
That build should not be stressing out the power supply, but you should replace the old power strip ASAP.

Additionally, you may want to get some better fans for your case. My recommendations are the Yate Loon low speed or medium speed 120mm fans. Get two fans (of the same speed) -- I believe that the Sonata III case comes with only one rear-mounted 120mm fan.
 
The power strip is the main problem.

But based on what you've mentioned, you seem to also be having issues with cooling. (Are you using the stock HSF that came with your processor as well?)
 
So it's most likely not the PSU? interesting.

I'll buy a new Strip soon, any suggestions on a strong one? For cooling I'm just using the stock fan in the back of the case and the stock HSF :I...

So this could be a cooling problem? Even though it just started doing the power-shutdown thing 3 weeks later?

(I also tested the strip with other electronics plugged in, an Amp and Television plus some Game consoles and it seemed to run fine. Would that have any correlation between running the Comp and running any other large electronics through the strip?)
 
Running the amp and the computer together may have caused some sort of an overload on the power strip. For that reason, I keep my computer on a separate power strip -- though actually, you should purchase some form of surge protector (preferably, if you could afford it, and uniterruptible power supply or UPS) that can support the total (potential) output your entire computer system (including monitor and other peripherals, like the printer and speakers) could generate.

I'm not certain that you have a cooling problem, but I interpreted your earlier comments as you expressing that you're having problems with your cooling setup. Replacing your fans may help out in the long run, and they won't cost you an arm or a leg.
 
Sounds like a heat problem. What are your CPU and GPU temps?

My experience with power strips is, they either work or they don't. And when they don't, some have a mini breaker that needs to be reset. However just because they are working, doesn't really mean they are providing optimum protection. If they take a good surge hit, that can kill the electronics that provide the protection. A good UPS is a good way to go, but I don't believe the strip is your problem.
 
Should have mentioned that this could also be a memory problem. Run Memtest overnight to see if you may have a faulty module.
 
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