Weird power problem

[tpaudet]

I am having a weird problem with my PC. Every once in awhile my computer will lock up, then when I attempt to reboot it, the fans get power, lights flash on DVDrom, but then everything stops no beeping, nothing on the screen, it is constantly Black. Then if I leave the computer for awhile, overnight, it boots up fine no problems. I have been monitoring the System and CPU temperature, and the System temperature never gets abov 80F, and the CPU never gets above 95F. I have not added anything recently and am unsure why it stops working, and why it starts working after a certain time period. I have a KL 133M Epox mother board, Sound Blast 512 sound card, Maxtor harddrive, 900Mhz CPU, 128M RAM, 250W power Supply. I thought mayber I needed more power supply, but everything I read about the mother board indicates that 250W should be enough. Any suggestions would be very helpful. I am computer literate, just not to the depth of knowing what to troubleshoot.

[Budfred]

It sure sounds like a temperature problem to me. I would run for a while, then reboot and go into BIOS to check temps there to make sure they aren't a lot hotter than what you think they are. Another option would be to open the case and run a desk fan on the innards to see if you can avoid the crash or speed up the recovery. Either one would support that it is a temperature problem.

The power supply would be the next suspect, but it usually doesn't come back on after sitting a while, so it is less likely. The problem probably wouldn't be the total power, but rather that it is failing...

And Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

[tpaudet]

Thanks Budfred, I'll give it a try and see if it's overheating.

[Budfred]

I just thought of another option that is a real longshot, but.... Since metal pieces expand when they get warm, it could be that even if you do have normal temps that some connection in the box is just loose enough that it loses good contact when it gets warm enough. I would make sure all connections are tight to make sure that isn't the problem.

[tpaudet]

Yesterday my wife was using it. By the time I got home it wasn't working. All the fans are blowing in the right direction for good circulation, and the CPU fan is blowing down onto the heatsink. Here is how it plays out. While using the computer it locks up, and there is NO collation with a certain program or action. The only option is to power off the computer. When you attempt to power it back on the DVDrom light flashes, fans start, but nothing on the Monitor, then the DVDrom stops responding, you can't open it. Then if you wait a couple hours it still doesn't work. Then if it waits overnight the next morning it works fine like there was never a problem. When it does work, the DVDrom flashes, the floppy drive flashes, and I can hear the hard drive start. I haven't yet had a chance to go into the BIOS after it running for awhile to check temperatures. I have a program from the mother board company that tells you while it's running and never reads over 95F for CPU, and 90F for System. Are these temperatures to high? The fan on the power supply does work, but it doesn't seem to be blowing as hard as it first did. Any more suggestions would be helpfu.

[mjc]

I would suggest a good cleaning...if the fans are working and dirty they may not be pushing as much air as they should be. You can use a can of compressed air to blow off the fans, but use something to hold the blades still while doing so or you could damage the fan bearings.

Is the temperature monitor always showing 95F? or does it start lowe5r and climb?

[tpaudet]

it starts lower and climbs, but I'm not so sure the program that EPOX has is very accurate. Next time I'm around it and it's working< i'm going to check it through the Bios.

[Jason1971]

It sounds like a heating problem to me as well. Try this, after your computer has been OFF overnight feel around where the power supply unit is housed. If you can feel heat then your PSU my be getting ready to die. Just a thought....


Jason