Strange power issue...?

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June 12th, 2001, 12:05 PM
techleet

Strange power issue...?

Ok here's the deal.
I leave my main pc on all day, because I'm a power-wasteing bastard and because it's a web server! Anyway, a couple of times spread out over the last 3 months I have come home and my pc was OFF!

Symptoms:
- PC shuts down automatically. This is NOT hybernation, etc.
- Power light BLINKS
- All fans, hard drive are off. All is quiet!
- Hitting the power button does nothing
- Holding power button in for 5 seconds does NOT shut off machine to reboot.
- Must turn off power supply for over 5 seconds and turn back on to get power light to stop blinking and boot.
- System (Win2k sp2) has been rock solid for months. Haven't had any problems. Haven't installed any software in months.

Is this a power supply issue? A motherboard issue? Overheated processor?
<IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

Specs:
Win2k Sp2
Athlon Thunderbird 850 (stock heatsink/fan)
Asus A7V
256mb PC133 (crucial, I think)
WinFast GeForce2 MX 32mb
20gig ATA/100 7200rpm
SBlive value
Kingston 10/100 nic
TDK velocity 10/12/40 cdrw
Memorex 48x cdrom
300watt ramdom power supply/case
3 large fans
June 12th, 2001, 12:38 PM
valyard

have you been caught in any rolling blackouts? if not it may be thet you need a UPS on your system to condition the line so you dont have to deal with all those surges and drops in power.
June 12th, 2001, 12:46 PM
ephmynus

This, atleast to me, sounds like it is most likely a power supply issue. It does depend on how long it has been acting like that. It is not uncommon for a motherboard to automatically shut down a computer if it becomes overheated. Also, a power supply will automatically shut your computer off if it can't run properly. If you have another lying around it may be best to test it but, 95% chance it is the power supply.
June 12th, 2001, 03:06 PM
techleet

Quote:

Originally posted by valyard2k1:
have you been caught in any rolling blackouts? if not it may be thet you need a UPS on your system to condition the line so you dont have to deal with all those surges and drops in power.

Yes, I got hit by the rolling blackouts once, but this is unrelated. The pc has just died once in the middle of working. There I was, typing, etc and then BLAM! Whole thing shuts off. I'm leaning more towards a faulty power supply.
June 12th, 2001, 04:09 PM
Ruslan

Looks like Your power supply has problems with standby mode...
Besides that,I'd check also Advanced Power Management - may be Your PC was turned off by APM instead of going into "wake-on-ring" (or wake-on-LAN) mode.If that option was enabled in BIOS,of course.
June 12th, 2001, 04:12 PM
techleet

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruslan:
Looks like Your power supply has problems with standby mode...
Besides that,I'd check also Advanced Power Management - may be Your PC was turned off by APM instead of going into "wake-on-ring" (or wake-on-LAN) mode.If that option was enabled in BIOS,of course.

Told ya man, it's NOT hybernation, APM... nothing like that. This thing has shut off in the middle of working. I mean I was TYPING and the damn thing shutoff. Just BOOM! No "please wait" no nothin <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

Thanks though! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
June 12th, 2001, 04:18 PM
Ruslan

...and,I hope, You have got good UPS connected to that system... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
June 12th, 2001, 04:23 PM
techleet

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruslan:
...and,I hope, You have got good UPS connected to that system... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

LOL yeah if I gave a damn about my site, sure! This is just my personal site. I could care less. I suppose a UPS would be cool, but **** I'm not about to blow $200 on my computer! I have bills! <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">
June 12th, 2001, 04:37 PM
Ruslan

Quote:

Originally posted by techleet:

I mean I was TYPING and the damn thing shutoff.


Just a thoughts... It couldn't be keyboard with additional "power on/off" and so on keys?. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Check also real temperature of CPU... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
June 12th, 2001, 04:45 PM
techleet

Quote:

Originally posted by Ruslan:


Just a thoughts... It couldn't be keyboard with additional "power on/off" and so on keys?. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Check also real temperature of CPU... <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

HAHAHAHA no, there is no on/off key.
Yeah, like I said, it could be CPU temp, but then I have 2 extra case fans, one pulling air in the front bottom and one pushing air in the back top. Also, I keep the case mostly open. I'm still leaning towards the power supply, but I'll check the temps. Thanks