Curse

Engage · Oct 05, 2008, 05:56 PM // 17:56

Always happens when I am playing a game. Been going on for the last few days and it has been happening more frequently as of late. Any ideas as to what might be the cause would be greatly appreciated.

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Evil Genius · Oct 05, 2008, 10:33 PM // 22:33

Post the specifications of your computer please. Are there any error messages when you reboot?

It could be the PSU is not supplying enough power to your video card when its under load (playing a game), although this might throttle the card rather than shut down the whole PC.
It could be a component, eg CPU, is too hot and is automatically being shut down.
It could be the system is unstable due to overclocking.

Engage · Oct 06, 2008, 12:36 AM // 00:36

1. I don't overclock.
2. There are no error messages whatsoever when I turn it back on.

My PSU is an Antec Basiq Power 500e watt, cpu is a Pentium D 3 Ghz, not sure about my mobo other than the fact that it's Asus, my video card is a BFG7800gt.

Elder III · Oct 06, 2008, 01:17 AM // 01:17

What games are you playing? Do you play newer games on high settings (or try to)? How much RAM do you have? You could be overloading your somewhat older system if you are throwing more at it then it can handle. :/

Engage · Oct 06, 2008, 02:22 AM // 02:22

What I have been throwing at it has remained constant, same settings, games etc. Same games and settings for years.

Have 2 gigs of ram.

Lord Sojar · Oct 06, 2008, 05:09 AM // 05:09

My guess is rail instability. Easy way to figure that out though.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Go there and select the server nearest you. Download Everest Home and install it. Once you have it installed, open the program and go to Sensor section under Computer. Please copy the Voltage stats here for me.

Engage · Oct 06, 2008, 07:20 AM // 07:20

Alright, downloaded the program and here's the info:

Evil Genius · Oct 06, 2008, 07:58 AM // 07:58

That CPU Core voltage looks absoultely insane to me, even if your processor was fabricated on the 90nm process. The voltage should be the 1.2V to 1.4V range. Such an insanse overvolting should have killed your CPU completely. Maybe the reading is wrong? Go to go now so I will discuss the other voltages later.

Quaker · Oct 06, 2008, 03:13 PM // 15:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiddenDelight

Always happens when I am playing a game. Been going on for the last few days and it has been happening more frequently as of late. Any ideas as to what might be the cause would be greatly appreciated.

If it only just started to happen, it's most likely a result of overheating. Open the computer up and make sure all fans are running and blow/vacuum the accumulated dust out of everything.

Second most likely is that the power supply is shutting down because of overload (or overheating, don't forget the fans and heatsinks in the power supply) or failure. The overload could be caused by the failure of some other component.

Engage · Oct 08, 2008, 12:57 AM // 00:57

This is really starting to perplex me. Was in game yesterday for hours without any problems whatsoever. Today, log in and boom, after 5 minutes it turns off. Turn on again and after 5 minutes again. I doubt something is overheating, it really makes no sense.

I am about to punch my system into another dimension.

Lord Sojar · Oct 08, 2008, 06:00 AM // 06:00

Umm, your power supply is completely.... uhhh.... worthless I believe is the word.

Just as I thought, you have severe instability in several of your rails. Your 3.3v is way out of whack, which is most likely causing the shut downs.

And what is the temperature of your CPU!?!? My god, that amount of voltage was used on PentiumII/AMD K6 CPUs! On a fairly modern processor, that would cause nMOS collapse. @_@ WHAT IS GOING ON!?

Ok... you need a new power supply. I am 99.99% sure it is your power supply. You will need to order a new one ASAP. I would highly highly recommend not running your PC until you install the new PSU. Just...OMG.

pamelf · Oct 08, 2008, 06:15 AM // 06:15

http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Try a program like that to monitor your CPU temp as well....

Quaker · Oct 08, 2008, 06:05 PM // 18:05

Also, I just remembered - try using a power bar with a surge protector in it. Random shut downs can be caused by power spikes generated when an appliance such as a freezer or air conditioner turn on or off.

But, yeah, the power supply voltages look out of line (if the program can be trusted to give accurate answers).

Lord Sojar · Oct 08, 2008, 10:32 PM // 22:32

Everest is extremely trustworthy in almost every case.

Hidden, try this program as well. Create a report that includes hardware monitoring. Uncheck the rest of the options. Copy/Paste the voltage readouts or screenshot as you did above.
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownloa...load-5280.html

Engage · Oct 09, 2008, 02:08 AM // 02:08

Alrighty, here's the info:

Lord Sojar · Oct 10, 2008, 08:04 AM // 08:04

Well..... that is interesting.

I assume the CPU readout on Sisoft is correct. I did some calculations, and at the voltage readout from Everest, your Pentium 4 would go into full SiP collapse. @_@ In other words, you wouldn't have a CPU!

What concerns me is your -12v. That is WAAAAY out of whack. I am extremely confident the main issue here is your power supply. While there may be some components that have been damaged from these power issues, the main issue is most likely this defective PSU. Your 5v is even off enough to make me wonder. But that -12v is way out of line. Time for a new PSU Hidden.

Engage · Oct 11, 2008, 12:29 AM // 00:29

Thanks guys for all the info and assistance.

Looks like I'll be getting a new PSU.