Hello! I'll jump right to the subject. My computer sometimes, rarely, just shuts down by itself. I have Windows XP. It doesn't shut down like it normally would with the "windows is shutting down" screen. It just stops. It's like i would unplug it. It happens very rarely but for example a week ago i properly turned it on at my 3rd atempt. I pushed the button and when it reached the boot screen it stopped. I don't know what to think of this. A friend has a similar problem and started installing service pack 1. Can this solve the problem? What is there to be done?


Thanks.

http://users.adelphia.net/%7Eomega_republik/ht/mobo.jpg

your problem is internal, either you overheated your PC or the motherboard came deffective. This sudden "shutoffs" happen because some of your resistors burnt out .... (see above picture) only way to repair it is to replace them

I went with my computer to the service before this because my motherboard's resistors were burnt(due to lightning). The guy that was taking care of my computer told me that the resistors were "cooked" and that he replaced them for me. So the thing is they're brand new....I noticed recently that only if i unplug my computer and then plug it again the computer behaves like this. To solve it i unplug it and plug it again and this usually works. As long as i keep it plugged the problem doesn't show up and everything works like a charm;also the computer doesn't shut down after it boots properly(ex:in the middle of a movie or game). Can there be any other cause?

Thanks for your response!

i will not directly criticize his job but for what you're telling me now seems like he replaced the resistors from another motherboard .... this "plug-unplug" behavior occurs because the electric current passing through the resistors isnt the appropriate one thereby not releasing it as is supposed to (thats why unplugging it makes it behave like that) , he somewhat broke the circuitry for the ATX apm compliance .... (he should've replaced them with either brand new ones or from a similar MOBO) .... but just ask him .... i could always be wrong :wave:

It could also need a bios update or could have bad power going to it. Computers like constancy with power. If the voltage drops the computer will do stupid crap like shutting down , or locking up. This could also happen when there are 2 power mgr running at the same time. Windows has one and the BIOS on the M/B will have one also. Turn off the one in the BIOS 1st This is just my toughts it can be real hard to give a accurate diagnosis, with out being there.

You also should try cleaning the tower out.Becuase the dust clogsthe fans causing overheating and imedate shut down

umm how old is this computer anyway?, i do agree that it is a power issue. the one thing that i would consider is that when your board was repaired (which shows me that it was no longer under warranty as it could have been rma'd) that the tech might have:

1. did more damage to it
2. used the wrong components
3, damaged components
4. damaged teh components during install (this is common believe it or not as it is hard to tell when you do it however experienced techs will test it before giving it back)

my advice is that if it is older than 2 years, or if it has am amd cpu (due to the amd cpu's being way behind right now and the new ones are going to be on a different socket) just buy a new one, build your own, or as a last resort try and upgrade it (best to go with one you build as it is easy and if ordering through online e-tailers can be reasonably priced) DO NOT USE EBAY FOR YOUR COMPONENTS if you buy from them (as in cases with evga components) evga only gives a warranty to the person who originally registers the product if you buy one as NIB and get it to discover it is used then you will be sol. also dust is a big issue can cause overheating and dust can also create static electricity which can cause your components to fry

(here i sit anxiously awaiting my evga mods rigs hat and shirt)

EVGA is an great company. If you buy their 8600GT and then the 8800GTS price drops within 90 days, return for an full refund and get the 8800.

The problem probably lies with your motherboard, overheating, or an unefficient power supply.

OVERHEATING - Not placing thermal paste correctly or you fan that dies out could cause this. I suggest you to clean up around it, northbridge fan too, and see how it works out. You may also want to enable stepspeed, disable Cool n' Quite and SMART Fan.

Motherboard - Motherboards with blown capacitors have been known to shutdown without warning. And no this is not uncommon, overfilled capacitors can blow without warning.

Power supply: An 700W with 20A on the 12 volt line will not cut an Q6600. Please list your power supply specifications and system specs.