Re: Random switch-off - I'm certain it is not heat or drivers

Thanks for your help once again.

I am going to try
PSU in different computer
CPU in different computer
updating the BIOS
lowering the memory clock frequency (though I don't think it is this,
it is a simple check to perform)

If I still get the same results, I am going to try swapping out the PSU
first, then and if that doesn't work, will get another motherboard.

It's annoying that the retailer who supplied these parts have been so
unhelpful and provided such poor customer service. I was warned by
others that their service was terrible, and did not believe it until
these last few weeks. Anyone in the UK, avoid "Overclockers" in
Stoke-on-Trent. Unfriendly, unhelpful and refused to test the parts I
have identified as being potentially faulty. Trading Standards, here
we come!

Thanks again
Mart



RussellS wrote:
Sorry to hear about your continued problems. Your power supply is a quality
model and is compatible with your system. In order to completely rule out a
case short, is there any hidden case wiring or plugs going on behind your
motherboard? Is the I/O panel firmly in place and not touching any metal
contact points on your motherboard? I doubt a case-to-motherboard short at
this point, as typical behavior would be a reboot, and not a power down.

Having mentioned the fact that you can go a day without the problem, then
have it occur in a couple minutes on another day would tend to rule out a
temperature problem, unless one or more fans shuts down before this power
off thing happens. A modern CPU's temperature can climb extremely high in a
very short time if its fan shuts down.

If you've tested your memory thoroughly with no errors, I'd more suspect
either a faulty power supply or a bad motherboard. Physically check around
the board to see if you see anything out of the ordinary, like a blown or
leaking cap or your motherboard bent in some way. It sounds to me like
improper voltages or infrequent spikes of power being supplied to your CPU,
chipset or other onboard component might be going into your board, either
due to a damaged power supply or due to faulty power regulation on your
motherboard. Try using a software-based motherboard monitoring program to
watch for voltage irregularities.

If you can't use an alternate power supply, or the Antec PSU works reliably
in another computer, don't spend the next year troubleshooting, but try to
get an RMA replacement of the motherboard.

Good luck to you


"wileywilson" <wilsonm@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1158052168.656085.200060@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thanks for your reply RussellS. Please see my answers below...

RussellS wrote:
Hi Mart,
<snip>
1. Motherboard/Case mounting short (motherboard standoffs/improper
metal-to-metal connection somewhere/case power/case reset button(s) loose
or
shorted)

I have disconnected the Power and Reset switch and am booting from
pressing the "Space" bar. I wanted to eliminate the case. The mobo is
firmly mounted on the standoffs which screw into the case.


2. Defective power supply or loose plug contact, either to the
motherboard
or to the main power cable, including damaged cables/plugs

2 other computers I have built in my house have run very well for
years. This is the 1st 24 pin PSU I have bought (PCI express mobo), so
I can't try another PSU from another computer as they are 20 pin.
However, I have just remembered that there is a 4 pin connector which
can be "removed" from the 24 pin to make it a 20 pin. I will try the
new "20-pin" PSU in another computer, though if I don't have a problem,
it could mean the 4 pin connector is faulty and I will have no other
way of testing this.

3. Defective chipset/sensor or other motherboard component, including
damaged capacitors/damaged leads

If all the other parts work, it could well be the mobo


4. Incorrect BIOS setting/corrupt BIOS/immature BIOS (especially with
incompatible voltage/memory timings/FSB speeds, etc.)

I will make sure my BIOS is up to date, though I'm 99% certain it is

5. Defective Processor

Could be. I will see if I can put it in one of the other computers


6. Insufficient/improper mounting of CPU/chipset cooling solution

I thought this too, though it has switched off minutes after switch on
and sometimes I can play a demanding game like Oblivion for hours and
hours with no problems whatsoever. Over 24 hours is the longest I have
had it on without problems, and I though it had "fixed" itself. Then
the next day, it switched itself off 3 times in 2-3 hours.


Does the system power off and stay off until powered up manually, or does
it
spontaneously reboot?

The power stays off and needs to be powered on manually


Has this occurred while or just after physically
moving the case in any way?

No, I never move the case when the computer is on. The power down is
when the case is "untouched"


Are you absolutely sure that the building power
source is stable (is your system attached to a Battery
UPS-Uninterruptible
Power Supply?)

I have tried the computer in 2 houses. Also during one weekend's LAN
party, the other 2 computers were fine whilst mine kept on switching
off *cry*

BTW I have spoken to Antec and they say there isn't a compatibility
issue with the Truepower 550W PSU and the Asus A8N-SLi SE mobo

Thanks for your continued help!
Mart


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