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Unexpected shutdown of PC

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by beldave 1 view

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Okay so I'm running the Intel i7 (the reg one and not the extreme) chip, an Intel MB (DX58SO), 6 gigs of ddr3 tri-channel RAM and Vista Home Premium 64. I just built this new system and have went through all the available updates both from Intel (bios, etc) and Microsoft. I'm having two consistent problems that are driving me wonky. First the blue screen of death over a "memory management" problem that results in a memory dump and restart. I'm assuming this is not RAM related (bad sticks, etc) and more of a CPU problem. So any thoughts on that? And second - and most annoying - the computer will just "turn off" like the power went out or something in the house. Turns off - and boots its self right back up. It does it at different times and at different system loads. I was just reading MSNBC.com and it did it and was doing it last night while running Photoshop and several other programs. I checked the CPU temp regularly and it is in the low 40's all the time - so I would imagine its not that. Power supply to the case?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thank you!!!!!!

4 replies

by larryd4

I would remove some RAM and run with say 4 Gigs and even swap in and out until you can confirm that its not a RAM issue.

The power off probelm could be a short to the MB.

I once built a new PC and did not put on those litte O rings that create a insulating barrier between the MB screw and the actual MB. It ended up the screw was so close to a bus that it was randomly arching causing the PC to just reboot.

by ---tk---

I was thinking the Power off Problem could be cause by the Power Supply... If your PS isnt supplying enough power, this will happen... I would double check and make sure its strong enough to properly power your system...

by oh smeg

Test the RAM with MemTest86 available here

http://www.memtest86.com/download.html

Also while you are at things check the CPU's Heat Sink and make sure it is correctly fitted. These can be a bit difficult for the first time you use one.

The reason it turns off could be Heat Related to prevent the CPU from overheating and getting damaged. I've seen this several times particularly when the Heat Sink is not properly fitted.

As for the Memory Dump that could be piratically anything but I'm assuming here that you are using 3 X 2 GIG RAM Sticks so you need to check if these are all the same Specifications. It is possible that if they are not a Matched RAM Kit that you have different Brands, Speed, Manufacturing Batches fitted and this is creating a memory Error and causing the problem.

Also recheck everything you have done here in assembling this unit and make sure that everything is properly connected and fully plugged in. The Axillary 12 V DC Plug is very important and it is also important that you have a stable 12 V DC present at this plug so a good Power Supply is a Must.

Start off with on the restart entering the BIOS and checking the Temps present on the M'Board as well as the voltages. You can do this in the BIOS. If any Temp is high of a Voltage Low you need to fix that before you proceed any further. While you are at it you should enable the alarms to sound when a Fan goes below a preset speed, the CPU exceeded a Set Temp or the Voltages drop below the threshold of the M'Boards Tolerances.

It is also possible that there are [b]Hot Spots[/b] inside the case due to poor Air Flow so tidy up any wires and if necessary add some Case Fans. I prefer to have air sucked in at the front and blown out the back to prevent any hot air from the Power Supply getting sucked into the case and allowing things to get hotter than they otherwise would.

Col

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