Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cmr]

If anyone could tell me what seems to be the problem that would help me a lot.

My desktop sometimes shuts off for no apparent reason. If I try to press the button to turn it back on it doesn't work unless first I unplug it from the wall and plug it back, then it will turn on but it may turn itself off again within minutes, hours or days.

There seems to be no pattern to my desktop's behavior except for the fact that I must unplug it and plug it back if I want to be able to turn it back on. Beats me why!

I know at least that there's no danger of the problem being a virus.

I thought it might be because it's overheating (still think it might be related to that somehow) since I never turn it off, but then why would it run sometimes for a few hours, sometimes a few days or even a month?

Then, I thought one of the two HDD might be the problem since my desktop is always on downloading/uploading. I removed one HDD and the computer still turned itself off, so I tried with the other HDD and the same thing happened, so at least I know it's not HDD related.

Does anybody have any idea what the problem could be?

[ladron]

My vote is also for overheating - have you tried blowing out the fans, especially the processor fan and heatsink? I had a laptop that would do this periodically - like yours, with no set pattern. Cleaned it out and it worked fine.

[pkang0202]

I'm guessing overheating. Is there a cable that somehow stopped the CPU fan from spinning? Open your desktop case, and turn it on. See if all the fans are spinning.

[cmr]

All the fans are spinning, but I usually need to "help" the CPU fan start spinning when I turn the computer back on if it was off for a while. There's no problem if it's still warm, though.

I've actually removed the side panel of my case and never bothered to put it back on after the first time it happened thinking it would help to keep everything cooler and to make sure all fans are spinning (that's how I found out the CPU fan needed a spin to start spinning by itself)

I've dusted more than once. The first time it happened, there was a lot of dust, but not anymore.

Next time it happens, I'm considering using the floor fan I used last summer in my bedroom and put it right next to my desktop and make it blow inside the case to see if it makes any difference... or maybe put the desktop outside while it's still cold!

[Hindsight]

Are you using a surge protector/UPS?

Probably not. This is Korea, and I haven't seen them.

Since coming to Korea my almost new laptop started freezing up for no apparent reason, and then would start working again after 10 or 15 seconds. My best guess is a surge slightly damaged the CPU. I have since bought another laptop.

In your case, a surge might have damaged your power supply. You could try replacing it. But if you can find a volt meter, you could test the voltage of the connectors first.

That's my best guess.

[spanky1off]

sounds identical to my prob last year...take cpu fan off n vacuum it as clean as poss

failing that sprinkle holy water in there to purge it of ghosts

[cmr]

[tatertot]

[Bloopity Bloop]

I would honestly look into another power supply. They aren't that expensive, or you could borrow one from someone else to test. The fact that you have to help your fan along seems power-related. It may have been damaged or is failing.