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Question

MY COMPUTER FREEZES

Oct 31, 2018 11:40AM PDT

For quite some time my computer has been freezing regularly. It seems to happen at random. I can be playing a highly demanding game or be on my desktop, no applications running. When it freezes every external port is disconnected. The monitors display the last image on-screen whilst keyboard etc. stop working. If I shut off my computer and try to start it again the monitors do not receive any signal. It stays like this for a while but when I come back after a few hours/days it turns back on.
Sometimes it works for days before freezing, other times only minutes.
I tried buying and installing a new PSU but now the monitors do not receive signal what so ever.

What could be the problem?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
long wait
Oct 31, 2018 12:03PM PDT

that typically is a PSU overheated or with some other problem, they take the longest time to reset after cooling off, much longer than an over heated CPU would.

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fix?
Oct 31, 2018 1:52PM PDT

I am not the best with computers, but I will try. How would I fix the PSU overheat issue? And how can i check if this in fact is the problem?

Thanks

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I typed an answer, but seems lost
Oct 31, 2018 2:21PM PDT

Again. Average home user doesn't have equipment to run a load test on PSU. You can open side of computer to allow more air flow, see if it drops out later in use. You can install a kill-a-watt to see what power it's drawing, especially when it drops out.

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I really don't know what to type here
Oct 31, 2018 2:26PM PDT

I will try what you said but as of now, there is no signal to my monitor. This occurred after swapping the PSU. Do you think that is related to my previous issues or a new one when I swapped? If it happens to be a new issue I will sort it out and return after.

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did you....
Oct 31, 2018 5:53PM PDT

...plug the video power cords from the PSU to proper place on your motherboard? Typically a 6-8 fitting plug. On most motherboards it's near the back right corner area.

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Yes
Nov 1, 2018 4:22AM PDT

I am quite sure I did, but I will see if I have done it correctly when I am home. However, I read that a problem could occur if a cable is touching the graphics card fan. I will check if that is the case. The graphics card (Nvidia 1070) does light up when turning on the computer.

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how long
Nov 1, 2018 12:09PM PDT

If you just boot it up and let it sit for an hour or two, maybe on a screen saver, does it drop out at all? When it does, are you playing some action game on it? If you are just doing internet browsing does it drop out?

You are using a $450 video card that can pull 150-180w of power.

Tell us about your PSU, what model, it's top rating, check the side of it for specifics on a label there.

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long
Nov 4, 2018 5:32AM PST

To clarify whenever I turn on my computer (as of now) there is no signal to the screen. I will try to turn it on and see if I hear the fans etc. power off. And I do not think the computer dropping out is correlated to what I am currently using it for. It has dropped out when playing graphics-intensive action games, or just on desktop no applications running.

I am using a: Corsair TX750M, 750W PSU

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I tried
Nov 7, 2018 12:28AM PST

I tried turning my computer on and for some reason the monitor received signal. I logged in and shut off all application running in the background. I put the computer in lock-screen and waited for 3 hours. When I came back it had frozen again. I held in the power button to shut it off, but when I tried turning it back on there was again no signal to the monitors.
This is the same problem that had been occurring before i swapped out the power supply.

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So ...
Nov 7, 2018 9:11AM PST

"don't do that!"

Rather than set it to sleep or lock screen just power down. Tracking down a lockup when in sleep or just sitting there takes a lot of work. My usual finding is either some heat buildup or drivers/bios.

I think it best to stop doing what you know locks it up.