My computer wants to shut off unexpectedly.

Werebo

cowking7 wrote:

its been awhile since ive replied, (sorry) been busy, but i tried to get my motherboard out but one of the screws to the back panel is broken:(
so i tried to saw it off but that didnt work so now im going to drill into it!
any sudjestions?

I assume you mean the screw that holds the top of a card to the back-plane?? Have you tried trying to lift the screw with a knife blade (between the underside of the screw-head and the mating surface), while turning the screwdriver? That's often enough to allow the thread to engage to get the screw out, failing that, holding the blade flat to the bottom of the screw to lift it up, while unscrewing it.

If things are that desperate that the screw needs to be drilled out, then I'd recommend covering everything inside with a sheet of plastic (an old carrier bag will do) and taping it down to cover everything inside. Metal dust isn't too friendly to circuit boards and components Wink

cowking7 · Joined: Dec 05, 2007 Posts: 5

well, im trying to get behind the motherboard to see if theres any inapropriat contact that could be making a short..
so yah im that desperate.
i imagine the metal particles arnt to good for your lungs either Sad

Werebo

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

I built my system in November 2006. Here are the specs: Biostar Geforce 6100-M9 Motherboard - NVIDIA, Socket 939, MicroATX, Audio, PCI Express, 10/100 Ethernet LAN, USB 2.0, Serial ATA, RAID; AMD Athlon 64 4000 SanDiego Core Socket 939 CPU; Masscool / Socket 754, 939, 940 / AMD Athlon 64 / Ball Bearing / CPU Cooling Fan; Ultra PC Vent II with 2 LED 45mm Fans PCI System Exhaust - Black and Ultra 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory x 2.

I actually have 4 gig sticks but the system won't boot up with all 4--another topic, perhaps? Anyway, in the last month or so my system has started shutting itself down. I can be reading e-mail and flip, off it goes. Or it could run for days on end. As you can see I have plenty of fans inside. I tried looking at the event viewer but I don't understand what those things mean. I read your topic on the subject just to get there, you know? Could my system after only a year be breaking down on me?

Any help will be appreciated.

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

Systems usually shut down for 3 reasons:
1. heat
2. bad RAM
3. failing power supply
Have you cleaned out the case since you built it? Even if you have enough fans and vents, you still have to take out the dust.
Take out a stick or two of RAM and run it. If it shuts down, replace those two sticks with the other two sticks and run it.
I don't have a power supply tester so I can't supply the steps on how to test yours. I'm sure someone who knows alot more than me will be along to tell you how to test the supply and also the rails.

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks for the advice. I cleaned out the case as much as I could and I replaced the two RAM sticks with 2 more. I also tried to visually inspect everything on the motherboard and made sure that everything was in. It shut itself off about 5 minutes in to the new session.

Werebo

Allo

The easiest way to test for CPU heat is temporarily remove the case panel, run the PC as per normal and when it suddenly shuts down, gently place your fingertip on the CPU heatsink vanes.

If you suddenly say "*+!@~#OUCH - HOT!!!", therein lies the fault Wink

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

I thought I heard something last night as it shut down on its own after running for a whole 5 minutes. It sounded like the fan stuck. This morning I took the case side off and I have a fan blowing directly into the case.

I think at this point I am going to try replacing the CPU fan and the power supply and see if that resolves the issue.

I will also try the !@#$ test as well.

Thanks!

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

It's still doing it. I added another fan to the chassis and replaced the power supply and it's still shutting off on me. I was having an issue getting the CPU fan out--I unlocked it but it didn't want to move. Is there a trick to that?

The only time it stays running is when the chassis is open and I have a fan blowing into it, and even then it still sometimes shuts down.

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

If the fan on the CPU isn't properly affixed (either because it isn't attached snuggly or the thermal paste has dried up), your computer will shut down to save the CPU.
You do need to get the fan off and have a look at the thermal paste.

Werebo

If you just need to remove the CPU fan, usually there's a screw recessed into each of the 4 corners that thread into the heatsink vanes.

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

That's what I spent some time trying to do yesterday but unfortunately, the fan didn't want to budge. I remember when I assembled everything that I didn't have to screw the fan into place; it locked into place with the hinge thing (I don't know what it's called). Now when I unlock it, the fan won't release. Any ideas?

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

I'd take a magnifying glass and a flashlight and study how to remove the CPU (fan and all). I've only ever done this on nd mine had a lever on one side that I had to lift before I could remove the CPU. I don't know if the newer mobos have a lever to lock the CPU in place. Then once that is out, it might be easier trying to figure out how to remove the fan from the CPU.

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

I'll give that a shot--thanks.

Werebo

You might well find that the heatsink overhangs the little CPU release lever, preventing it from lifting. My AMD CPU + heatsink has this arrangement.

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

Werebo

Firstly, you'll need to have some new heatsink thermal paste to hand, then with a thin bladed spatula (ideally plastic, but metal will do - as long as it's thin and fairly flexible), carefully prise the heatsink off the top of the CPU (after removing the fixing bracket). Once the heatsink is removed, the lever can be raised to unlock the CPU.

Don't forget to make a note as to which way round the CPU sits in the socket. In most cases, a corner of the CPU is marked, to indicate which way it sits in the socket.

You'll need to remove all traces of the old thermal paste from both the top of the CPU and the bottom of the heatsink. When re-assembling, apply a tiny drop (approx the size of a rice grain) to the top of the CPU, then place the heatsink on top and twist the heatsink 90 degrees(ish) to spread the paste evenly.

JDayton64 · Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks! I'll try that this evening when I get home from work.

Werebo

Good luck

It's one of those jobs that's either a piece of cake or as fiddly as hell. Either way, once started, you'll need the new thermal paste to complete it Wink