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General discussion

random shutdowns: no BSOD, no restart, no error code

Feb 25, 2013 4:56PM PST

First off I work a 3rd shift so Im sorry if I don't respond soon enough. NOW to the situation. about a year ago my custom built from a company started doing random shut downs and at that point i had never touched it myself software/bios/hardware related, but heres what exactly is going on and what i've tried so far.
It shuts down with no bsod randomly while watching videos or playing video games at different points never consistent. when it shuts down it will not restart even after i turn off the power switch and unplug the chord and plug it back in. it usually takes 10-15mins sometimes less. what i've tried so far is used ccleaner to fix any registry errors and that seemed to make it crash a little less often but still anytime i play games. I have installed a new cpu heat sink with copper piping and reapplied thermal paste that was recommended and that did drop my cpu core #0, #2 temps down which were hovering around 80 c during stress test. now they dont even break 40 degreees. but i did notice today that there was only one item around 70-75 degrees and i believe it was labeled TMIDO i think? im at work now and cant remember. other than that i have also replaced my graphics card and the problem still persist.

specs

antec 550watt psu
gigabyte motherboard with an i3-540
nvidia gtx660 graphics card
2-500gb harddisks

i can take screen shots of tests and pictures of my set-up when off for work but for now this is what i have.
-thank you kind people of the internets

Discussion is locked

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Let's find some Watts.
Feb 26, 2013 1:54AM PST
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6276/nvidia-geforce-gtx-660-review-gk106-rounds-out-the-kepler-family/17

I see this pull nearly 300 Watts so you want a PSU at double that which keeps you from finding out what Amperes are needed on each PSU leg. Your 550 Watt didn't meet that guideline so it's suspect. And having a second HDD only enforces the idea it could be yet another PSU buckling under the load.

Try the usual test for heat. And if the client tells you it's not heat, nod and do it anyway. Pull the case cover, point a fan at it and see if it takes longer to fail or not fail.
Bob
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let's see
Feb 26, 2013 7:42AM PST

any test ive ran have passed and using a psu calculator with my card it still says as far as a psu a 350w woulda been the bare minimum. but i have a spare 450w psu from an old computer that is only 3 years old what if i used that alone to power the gtx660?

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tests
Feb 26, 2013 7:57AM PST
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Again. Nod at your client.
Feb 28, 2013 8:10AM PST

Pull the cover off and point a fan at the open case then repeat the test to try to get it to shutdown.

You can make good money off the folk that think you can rely on temperature monitoring software. But don't argue with them. Just do the tests and correct the issues with cooling and power.
Bob

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nope
Feb 28, 2013 5:10PM PST

cover has been off and computer has been on top of desk with fans pointed at it and just bought a high dollar UPS and let it charge but it still crashes this time it was not even doing anything just playing music in itunes. im out of ideas i guess bad psu but everything has been tested how the hell could it be my psu's keep failing. i absolutely give up im on multiple forums and nothing helps. taking it to a shop tomorrow. i use three different brands of temperature monitoring programs ITS NOT OVERHEATING

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The test is not about overheating.
Feb 28, 2013 11:52PM PST

It's to determine if something is heat sensitive. Sorry I thought I was working with a technician and I apologize I was writing as if I was talking to the tech.

Temp monitoring programs are fun to use but your seasoned tech rarely uses them when this issue is happening.

I'll try again. If you close it up and it fails in shorter time, then some part is heat sensitive. If it's exactly the same amount of time there is that issue where a failed PSU fan and a failed or over taxed PSU would get you the same time but at that point it would be a software issue.

But here we are many posts and I can't seem to get the idea about testing across to sniff out what it is. Also you may not have spare parts and might think the power supply is fine. It takes a long time to learn all this so a shop might be the right move.

I was going to suggest you read reviews on the motherboard but it's too late to look at that.
Bob