Member Avatar for Nikolai1000

OK--here is my problem. I turn on the computer and it begins to boot. At random points (I have rebooted/restarted many times) the mouse and keyboard turn off and the computer stops booting. It happens when the initial startup is happening, halfway through a windows load screen, or after the desktop begins to load up. There appears to be no pattern as to when it will cut out. Here are the specs of my computer as best I know:

Asus A8V Deluxe Motherboard (BIOS is updated)
AMD Athlon 64 3400 Processor
430 W Antec power supply
BFG Tech GeForce 7800 GS video card
Two 512K matched memory sticks (Corsair I believe)
Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM hard drive
Lighted case with 5 fans
CD ROM, floppy drive


Any and all help is appreciated. I just installed the most recent update from Windows (auto download).

  • 3 Contributors
  • 2 Replies
  • 110 Views
  • 10 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by BeastOverlordH6

Dani AI

Generated

— and pointed at heat or power-related causes. Before swapping parts, collect diagnostic data and follow a short elimination sequence so results point to the right component.

First, capture software-side clues. Disable automatic restart on system failure so any BSOD stays on-screen, enable boot logging and check Windows Event Viewer (look for kernel/power or bugcheck entries around the crash time). A guide to using Event Viewer is here: . Also save any minidumps from C:\Windows\Minidump and inspect them with a tool such as NirSoft BlueScreenView.

Second, run targeted stress and memory tests while logging temps/voltages. Use Memtest86 for RAM (bootable ISO) — Memtest86 — and use HW monitoring tools that can log rails and temps (BIOS sensors, or HWiNFO) while running short CPU/GPU stress tests (OCCT/FurMark) to see if something fails under load: HWiNFO. If voltages sag immediately prior to the hang/crash, that points to power-delivery issues; here is a safe multimeter testing reference: .

Third, do minimal-hardware isolation. With power unplugged and grounded, remove non-essential drives, disconnect extra case fans/LEDs, boot with a single RAM stick in the recommended slot, and remove expansion cards you can live without. Inspect the motherboard for swollen or leaking capacitors (common failure mode on older boards — see Capacitor plague). Try substituting one known-good part at a time (PSU or GPU) if available.

Record timestamps, Event IDs, memtest passes, and any voltage/temperature logs. Those records will make the next diagnostic step (or a shop swap) much quicker and more reliable.

Recommended Answers

All 2 Replies

Member Avatar for extofer

Open your case and assure the the CPU fan is running properly....this sounds like the CPU is burning up and shuts off. If that is not the case, then is will be the power supply.

Member Avatar for BeastOverlordH6

I'll agree to that...

Antec is usually really good about making solid power supplies, you could even go so far as to say the memory or motherboard aren't functioning either. Again, one could then argue the power supply got crippled from some unwanted amounts of current. :\

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.