Unhappy PSU?

[King Wookie]

Hey.
My PC that has been running quite nicely for over a year has just recently developed the nasty habit of shutting off randomly. It will run fine for hours on end, then do the instant off thing. Hit the power button, and she comes on no problem.

Doesn't look to be temps, as the cpu will be 42 to 45 Deg c when it happens.
My gut tells me it's the psu, and will be picking up a new one tomorrow.

Specs:

Opty 165 (default clock right now)
Asus A8N-E mobo
2x 1 gig Corsair XMS DDR 400
XFX 7950GT
1 x 200g Seagate sata
1 x 250g Seagate sata
Zalman 500W psu
3 x 120mm case fans
XP home

 

[Namslas90]

Go to Controll Panel > Administrative Options > Event Viewer. Look in the System or Application file for errors that accured at the same time as last shutdown. Post the error in thread.(if there is one).

 

[King Wookie]

The pc just died on me again. After checking the logs as suggested, the only error logged was:

User Action
If these events are logged regularly on a primary system drive, replace the device. Otherwise, no user action is required.



Version: 5.0
Symbolic Name: IO_WARNING_PAGING_FAILURE
Message: An error was detected on device %1 during a paging operation.

Explanation
An input/output (I/O) request to a memory-mapped file failed and the operation was retried.


User Action
If these events are logged regularly on a primary system drive, replace the device. Otherwise, no user action is required.

This is a paging file error, and seems to have happened after I restarted the machine.

So, psu or mobo?

 

[WhiteLotus]

If you have a new PSU stick it in and see what happens. That way you can eliminate the board and put it down to the PSU.

 

[hat]

run memtest86, the bootable version

 

[King Wookie]

If you have a new PSU stick it in and see what happens. That way you can eliminate the board and put it down to the PSU.

Awaiting stock on either Seasonic S12 650W, or OCZ Game Xstream 700 W. Due next monday or tuesday. (Don't just replace - upgrade!)

 

[Namslas90]

OK, your error-"IO_WARNING_PAGING_FAILURE ", could be caused by a varity of things. Bad Ram, Improper Ram settings in BIOS, Bad Motherboard Drivers, Virus, Spyware, Missing (bad) Windows FIles, HDD going bad, System overheating, Bad PSU.

Run Memtest, CHeck Ram settings.
Do a virus/spyware scan.
Run Scandisk/Defrag HDD.
Update Motherbard Drivers, check for Bios updates(only update if needed)
CLean PC with canned AIR(shut down/unplug) remove dust and debrise from all heatsinks, fans and case interior.
Check or have PSU checked for proper operation(or just replace it-since you have allready ordered one).
Maybe add an intake fan.

 

[King Wookie]

OK, your error-"IO_WARNING_PAGING_FAILURE ", could be caused by a varity of things. Bad Ram, Improper Ram settings in BIOS, Bad Motherboard Drivers, Virus, Spyware, Missing (bad) Windows FIles, HDD going bad, System overheating, Bad PSU.

Run Memtest, CHeck Ram settings.
Do a virus/spyware scan.
Run Scandisk/Defrag HDD.
Update Motherbard Drivers, check for Bios updates(only update if needed)
CLean PC with canned AIR(shut down/unplug) remove dust and debrise from all heatsinks, fans and case interior.
Check or have PSU checked for proper operation(or just replace it-since you have allready ordered one).
Maybe add an intake fan.

ok.

Will run memtest in the morning, as I am about to head off to work.
Did virus/spycheck scan. (Bitdefender with up to date definitions)
All drivers and bios up to date. (the joys of having an older machine)
Machine was cleaned a few days ago.
Awaiting new psu.

And here Microsoft's site told me that the error was nothing to worry about unless it happened frequently, otherwise new hard drive.

 

[Namslas90]

ok.

Will run memtest in the morning, as I am about to head off to work.
Did virus/spycheck scan. (Bitdefender with up to date definitions)
All drivers and bios up to date. (the joys of having an older machine)
Machine was cleaned a few days ago.
Awaiting new psu.

And here Microsoft's site told me that the error was nothing to worry about unless it happened frequently, otherwise new hard drive.

As I mentioned in post run Scandisk/defrag HDD. Scandisk will give you idea of the condition of the HDD, you could also run Ultimate boot;http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

 

[King Wookie]

Did both recently.
But thx for reminding me.

 

[keakar]

nobody ever looks at the most obvious thing first

Hey.
My PC that has been running quite nicely for over a year

DUST

blow out all the dust from the psu and after you clean out the psu it should be ok

if its not dusty then i agree with trying a new psu since you seem to want one

 

[Namslas90]

nobody ever looks at the most obvious thing first



DUST

blow out all the dust from the psu and after you clean out the psu it should be ok

if its not dusty then i agree with trying a new psu since you seem to want one

Yes, that was covered allready see post #7.

 

[King Wookie]

Right.
Ran memtest. No problems reported.
Changed graphics card for HD3850. CPU temp dropped about 8 deg c.
Attacked psu with new can of air. Far more dust than expected.
I found the HD's were getting rather toasty, so I've put a 120mm fan on them.

So, wait and see.

Nope. Still bombing out.
Roll on tuesday.

 

[King Wookie]

Right.

So far I've swapped out the gfx, psu, hd, re seated the cpu cooler, cleaned and pretty much rebuilt the machine, and she's died on me again.

Temps at the time were all within safe norms, and once again, she reboots as if nothing's wrong.

All that's left is the mobo, and do I really want to spend money on old tech?

Any recommendations for a decent cheap intel based mobo and chip? (P35 preferrable)

 

[sneekypeet]

Blood Iron???? no Crossfire, but does hit a 500FSB on stock voltages.....its under $120 shipped from the egg!