Computer Problems -- Random Shutdowns

[ShovelMonkey]

Anyone have any idea what would cause my computer to just randomly shut off? No shutdown screen no nothing, it acts like someone pulled the plug. Try to turn it back on by pushing the power button absolutely nothing happens.

Couple of facts: I've been playing alot of EVE Online, has happened a total of a bout five or six times the past week all while playing EVE.

If you let it sit for an hour or so it'll turn back on so I'd thought that perhaps the machine was overheating. I'd had some problems with the power supply fan a few months ago, but I've felt around the back of the machine and it doesn't feel very hot?

Also confusing the issue is twice I've been able to get to fire right back up by simply turning the surge protector it's plugged into off and on several times. I wouldn't think thats it's a problem with the surge protector, however because I have several other items including a lamp plugged into it, they all stay on when the computer turns off.

The system is a sony viao 2.2 ghz, about two and a half years old.

Any ideas?

[timmynausea]

It could be the power suppy. I'm not an expert by any means. That would be my guess, though.

[Airhog]

sounds like an overheating issue, but maybe not a severe one. Does it only happen when playing eve? or does it happen when you play other games that require a lot of oopmh to run?

[primelord]

It could be either of the things that were mentioned already. Have you added any new hardware to your machine lately? In addition to a faulty power supply it is possible that the computer is just trying to draw too much power from the power supply and it can't handle it.

A fairly easy weay to determine if it is a heating problem is just to take the side of the case off and play the game for awhile with the case open. Assuming you don;t have the PC stuffed in a corner under a heat lamp then opening the case should resolve any heat issues. So if you do that and it still shut s down it is likely a power supply issue.

It's also possible that it could be a faulty piece of memory, but I would expect that to show up more randomly than just during one specific game.

[TroyF]

Anyone have any idea what would cause my computer to just randomly shut off? No shutdown screen no nothing, it acts like someone pulled the plug. Try to turn it back on by pushing the power button absolutely nothing happens.

Couple of facts: I've been playing alot of EVE Online, has happened a total of a bout five or six times the past week all while playing EVE.

If you let it sit for an hour or so it'll turn back on so I'd thought that perhaps the machine was overheating. I'd had some problems with the power supply fan a few months ago, but I've felt around the back of the machine and it doesn't feel very hot?

Also confusing the issue is twice I've been able to get to fire right back up by simply turning the surge protector it's plugged into off and on several times. I wouldn't think thats it's a problem with the surge protector, however because I have several other items including a lamp plugged into it, they all stay on when the computer turns off.

The system is a sony viao 2.2 ghz, about two and a half years old.

Any ideas?


As others have said, check the power supply and check the temp.

Another possibility is one of your components (up to and including the motherboard) are what's overheating and shutting down.

When I worked at Creative, sometimes the sound card could cause that type of problem. (yes, even preventing the machine getting power after it shut down)

[ShovelMonkey]

Hmmm...happened again since I started the thread, once again playing EVE.

My surge protector has a power switch on it. If I turn the surge protector power switch on and off several times the machine fires right back up. If not I gotta wait awhile. Any idea what bearing this might have on things?

And I will try the suggestions, specifically taking the cover off and seeing if that helps.


Edit -- If it was an issue with EVE requiring a bit too much oomph, how could I resolve that? Turning down the graphic resolution or some of the other video options perhaps?

[ShovelMonkey]

Took the cover off, the power supply is warm, perhaps warmer than what I'd though. I don't know how warm is too warm though.

[ShovelMonkey]

A fairly easy weay to determine if it is a heating problem is just to take the side of the case off and play the game for awhile with the case open. Assuming you don;t have the PC stuffed in a corner under a heat lamp then opening the case should resolve any heat issues. So if you do that and it still shut s down it is likely a power supply issue.


Triple dola...


I think that may've been it, took the side of the case off and the power supply was hot. Within five minutes it's now cool to the touch.

[sterlingice]

If it's not turning back on immediately, that seems a lot more likely that it's an overheating issue than a PS issue.

SI

[MizzouRah]

Hmmm...happened again since I started the thread, once again playing EVE.

My surge protector has a power switch on it. If I turn the surge protector power switch on and off several times the machine fires right back up. If not I gotta wait awhile. Any idea what bearing this might have on things?

And I will try the suggestions, specifically taking the cover off and seeing if that helps.


Edit -- If it was an issue with EVE requiring a bit too much oomph, how could I resolve that? Turning down the graphic resolution or some of the other video options perhaps?
Plug it directly into the wall socket and play EVE. That will eliminate the surge protector being the problem. If it still shutsdown, I would suspect a power supply, system board, and processor in that order. If you've added a new video card recently, your power supply may not put out enough power for the new card.

[stevew]

Is it possible you have too much of a pull on that circuit as well? Like a portable space heater or some other stuff plugged into the same circuit as the computer? Cause you may not be getting enough juice either. Something to look into perhaps.

[Airhog]

As someone suggested, I would plug it into the wall first. If it was an overheating issue it would happen regularly, and the only way to fix it would be to let the computer cool down.