What happened???

[CelicaGT-4]

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Hello, I was on the internet lastnight for about an hour. Suddenly, my PC shuts off immeditely with no warnings or anything. My moniter was still on. I tried to turn it back on, but nothing happens. PC is completely dead. I don't know if its a power problem or what. Everything else is working fine on the same outlet. I have a 300w ATX case and its only less 2 months old. What could have happened? Any ideas? Please let me know.
Randy

[seventeenmonkeys]

the most logical thing that seems to have happened is that your power supply failed. if that is not it it certainly a power problem.

[tjaymadison]

If your system will start up again after being off for a few hours, you may also have an over-heating problem. Don't run it for long! CPU's die quickly without proper cooling. If the power supply fan won't rotate under power, the PS may have bitten the dust. If you have a warranty still in effect, that's the way to go.

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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
(Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)

[Reid]

Is the case/power supply under warranty? What type and speed of CPU does the system have, and how much other hardware is installed?

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[tjjawilson]

Some power supplies are equipped with an internal BUS fuse (like older cars). It may have failed. In that case, a new power supply could be bought for ~$65, but that may not be the underlying cause of the failure. Your system may have been submitted to a spike that surge protectors are sometimes inadequate to handle properly. In that case, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) would also be a nominal investment. It smooths the line much more efficiently, thereby minimizing any chance of this type of failure reoccuring.

Case in point: One workstation where I used to work would have mysterious network card problems, even after I gave the user a different PC and checked all the network connections. But after I installed a UPS, her problems disappeared. The PC was on the same circuit as a microwave oven and toaster oven, and her surge protector could not alleviate sags in the line.

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TJW

[Randy_tx]

A sudden shutdown like you describe is almost always a Power Supply failure..it happens even with new machines. If it were the cpu overheating (except in the case of Athalon)....you would be able to restart the system and it would do it again...and again until you replaced the cpu fan, so I really doubt it's the cpu (again unless it's an Athalon). Post the specs of the computer and we can tell you what happened. MOST IMPORTANTLY....GET IT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY!!!

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Will XP save Me ?

[CelicaGT-4]

The system is still under warranty, but ireally don't want to send my PC 1000s of miles away just for something I could fix. I have an 800mHz, AMD Duron w/20s, other items installed is CD-R/w, DVD drive, both USBs being used for an External modem and a Logictech cam. Let me know. thanks Originally posted by Reid:
Is the case/power supply under warranty? What type and speed of CPU does the system have, and how much other hardware is installed?

[tjaymadison]

You should be able to pull the power supply out and have it tested separately. Call around to shops in your area for prices and see if they can do it while you wait. You need a special load tester to do this, since the PS won't start up by itself. I've heard you can jumper the green lead with any black lead and the PS will start up when plugged in, but I've never done it, and I'm not really recommending it either.

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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
(Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)

[Reid]

I think a 300W unit is adequate for your system, but you may want to consider getting a 350W unit as a replacement.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[mjc]

I'm assuming your computer is an "off the shelf" or "semi-custom" from a major manufacturer?

Many of the warranties are voided by service from nonauthorized sources. Another point is, they may just send you a new power supply and let you install it yourself, you'll never know until you follow up the warranty route , after all you PAID for it so why not use it?

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mjc
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