[Ian J]

From time to time my PC switches itself off - not always when the weather is warm although it has done it twice today. Whilst everything else attached to the same power socket on the wall is OK the computer won't switch back on again until I have removed the plug from the wall and re-inserted it.

I can't see how this does anything bearing in mind that the printer and monitor are receiving power Ok but for some reason or other I cannot switch the computer back on until I have performed this little ritual.

Am I overlooking something obvious or is it a poltergeist

Could it be a grounding problem?

[Iaind]

It's possible that the CPU is overheating and the machine is powering down to save itself from being fried. There are programs out there that will monitor the CPU temp for you (see http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...RSS,RSS,00.asp) for MotherBoard Monitor program.

If it is doing this after a longish period of time of use, this may the problem. It may also require a complete power stoppage (i.e. removing the plug) to reset the machine and allow it to power up again.

Just a thought.

[Mr.The.Spoon]

Maybe the motherboard has a heat sensor and an auto-off function when it gets too warm. Your little ritual just gives it time to cool down.
Check for too mcuh dust clogging the fans.
Is the pc overclocked in anyway?

[Mr.The.Spoon]

Ahh, you beat me to it!

[Sandy13]

I get the same problem with my TV, not every time, but about one in three or four, just removing the plug and re-plugging does it every time. I thought I was unique, but there you go.

Why I said grounding is that each time you plug unplug you are allowing static / residual charge to be dissipated. Why not try a surge resistant plug bar. I used to have to plug/unplug one sky box all the time, but have never had to do so after using one of these.

[mickrick]

I reckon you have a dodgy psu and you should replace it asap before it does any damage to your pc. When you remove and replace the plug, the psu resets itself allowing the pc to reboot.

[PmSonic]

I had a similar problem. It ended up being due to my video card drivers (ATI Radeon)

I uninstalled them, reinstalled again (using the files from there website) and it worked a treat.

[IronGiant]

Originally Posted by mickrick

I reckon you have a dodgy psu and you should replace it asap before it does any damage to your pc. When you remove and replace the plug, the psu resets itself allowing the pc to reboot.

Same happened to me, new power supply fixed it. But I would see if you can borrow a spare power supply or get one on sale or return to check out first as it could be any of the other things suggested as well, or even a failing motherboard.

[Ian J]

Blimey, it sounds like everything is possibly faulty. I bought an anti surge socket block last week and that hasn't done much good as it has shut down three times so far today.

It collapsed again a few minutes ago - whilst I was in the middle of an unsaved job naturally - and I tried unplugging the socket from the extension block and that didn't work but it fired up once I had removed the extension block plug from the wall and re-inserted it.

[Zone]

Is there sufficent ventilation around the tower, its not near radiators etc.
Are the case vents clear, my mums are usually chock full of dust and other crap, a quick suck with the hoover extension sorts that but you can also get a build of of filth inside.

[Mylo]

try running the PC with the cover off to let more air in, listen out for the fan-s stalling or whining. That should help rule out over heating.

[IronGiant]

Your cheapest option is the case off and hoover, doing that will at least rule out overheating.

[Ian J]

Bloody thing has just crashed again. I will get the vacuum cleaner to it tomorrow and see if that improves matters and then try some of the other remedies mentioned.

[Nick_UK]

Maybe you need a Russ Andrews power cable ?

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Nick_UK

Maybe you need a Russ Andrews power cable ?

But I've heard that cables don't make a difference

[Nick_UK]

Now's the time to find out !

[Knyght_byte]

did you have other stuff plugged in to the surge protector when the computer powered off? if you did and they stayed on then its the computer......if the surge protector went off and obviously the other items did too then its the power socket on the wall has problems....

if you didnt have other stuff plugged in, try plugging something else in and see what happens next time the puter shuts down....

as a by the by, dunno what surge protector you got, but Belkins Gold ones are very good, 7 socket one can be had for around £25-35 depending on where you get it from, its useful because you can run phone line thru it, TV coaxial cable thru it and also your network cable if you use one.....as well as mains plugs for equipment of course..heh

if it turns out to be the computer, most things have already been mentioned i think, give it a clean, get a temp monitor for it, make sure the fans at the back can kick out the air easily, make sure the connection between the lead and the PSU in the computer is solid, if there is a front intake fan, make sure that is working ok etc.....if all this is ok, then try new graphics drivers, strange but graphics cards often screw computers up..lol

[Digger]

Careful with the hoover Ian as you can create negative ions (or something) that could potentially do damage (I am no electrical engineer by any means but thats what I've heard). If you can set your hoover to blow that it the best bet. Maybe a cold setting on the hair dryer would do....? Might also be worth checking in the Bios to see if there is a mobo power down option set for a particular cpu/northbridge chip temperature setting... ...if you know what I mean...

[Marsbarbabe]

It's your power supply.

Get a new one - a DECENT one as well (branded (min) £50+)


MBB

Originally Posted by mickrick

I reckon you have a dodgy psu and you should replace it asap before it does any damage to your pc. When you remove and replace the plug, the psu resets itself allowing the pc to reboot.

This gets my vote i had the same prob a few years ago and a new psu sorted it look on the bright side its cheap to replace could have been alot worse

[Knyght_byte]

Originally Posted by Marsbarbabe

It's your power supply.

Get a new one - a DECENT one as well (branded (min) £50+)


MBB

also important is the weight, the heavier it is the better it will be usually.....simply means its constructed with good quality materials and will last......wattage isnt such an important figure, and also depends on your system, nowadays its best to play safe and look around 350 or above (350 does a general computer, more is useful for a powerful graphics based computer) but see if you can work out whether they are quoting peak or continuous load (similar to an amp basically)....350 peak will do a work station fine, but may suffer for anything strenuous and cause problems....350 continuous load will be fine for all but SLI/Crossfire based systems usually....(or systems with heaps of HDD's, optical drives and various PCI cards as well)

[ufitsy]

Ian

More details of your pc please - is it a std base unit or built to a spec, amd or intel? grapics card? how oldis the pc? any recent upgrades, when did it start?

John

[GBDG1]

Maybe you are using the wrong shoes for booting the Pc.

(shouldn't this be in the computer section )

[M-C-P-M]

I hope this link will be of some help Ian, it certainly was for me when I had a similar problem

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

[stevefish69]

Ian,

My PC has started to lock up, crash and needs the power socket removed to be able to switch on.

The culprit for me is my DHR electric screen spikes the power supply when it starts or stops, but only occasionally. Are you sure that there is not a new bit of kit that is causing the problem. It could even be a neigbour who is running off the same phase as yours. Come to think of it, you don't live on the same street as me do ya

I'd also agree with some other comments about blowing out the PC. Mine is done monthly with a makita industrial blower that i use on delicate lift controller components at work

http://www.makitauk.com/index.php?pa...d=246&catid=70

They don't come cheap though. I could lend it to ya if you are ever near Heathrow.

[IronGiant]

Originally Posted by Marsbarbabe

It's your power supply.

Get a new one - a DECENT one as well (branded (min) £50+)


MBB

Eeek he could build half a PC for that

The only power supply I have had fail was a brand name, I have never had a problem with cheap OEM power supplies. As I type this I can feel all those cheap OEM power supplies failing overnight...

Go on:

300W for £5.87, you will know if it was the power supply, and then you can save up for a better/quieter power supply

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=20083

Edit:

Unless you are running a supercomputer which might need more power.

Dave

[Ian J]

I haven't understood most of what everyone is saying but the PC is about 3 to 4 years old and was one of these assembled by a local shop jobbies.

AMD Athlone 1.25Ghz
KS75A motherboard
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440

I know that modern PC's are more powerful in every way but I don't play games or download anything so I don't actually need anything more powerful. I do need something more reliable though so the order of the day is to check for dust and remove and if that doesn't work try a new heatsink and PSU and if that doesn't work, into the skip with it.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by Lawrenzini

(shouldn't this be in the computer section )

I've had one or two computer problems over the years and never failed yet to find the answer from someone in General Chat.