Problem with TPU computer

[BarbaricSoul]

A few months ago, you guys help me build a computer for my GF's oldest son Sean(thread here- [WTB][US] Cheap computer ). Well we're having a problem with it. When the computer is turned on, it'll run for 2-3 minutes, then it just shuts down and will not power back on until some time has passed. When it shuts down, I hear a click from the tower. Temps are in the 61-63'c range when shut down occurs(seems the heatsink that was donated isn't adaquate for the quad) and I plan on getting a better heatsink for it this weekend(I'm working now, so I can afford the parts now). So the temps are high, but not so high that they would cause this shut down. Sean tried using it for several weeks before telling me he was having heat problems. System specs of the comp are-

AMD Phenom II 965 w/ Cooler Master 752 heatsink
ASUS M3A76-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX(using onboard video until I can get him a 5770)
4 gigs(2*2) 1066 Transend Axe RAM
Thermaltake TR2 W0379RU 500W ATX 12V v2.2 Power Supply
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit

So what do you think is wrong with it?

 

[H82LUZ73]

Try 2 things
1,Take out the ram and put one in and see if it boots.
2,Try another PSU if you have one lying around,Also go into BIOS and see if he tried overclocking it.

 

[1Kurgan1]

My guess would be PSU, swap in another or yours for a bit and see what happens. When it comes down to trouble shooting, I just start swapping in parts till I find the issue.

 

[happita]

Like the previous 2 replies. But I would say run a Memtest86 on the RAM first just because its the easiest (don't have to take out anything). If it comes back with errors, then you have to find out which stick is giving you the malfunctioning, in which case you then have to boot up with each stick individually and Memtest again.

 

[Mussels]

my guess is definitely PSU, its about the only thing with safety shutoffs that power down the PC, as opposed to it crashing/throttling.

 

[Kreij]

Those CPU temps are nowhere near high enough to cause thermal shutdown. My old QX6700 would run all day in the high 70s and low 80s.

I agree that the PSU is the most likely culprit. If not, then it could be that some other hardare is causing the PSU to see a voltage condition it feels is worthy of a shutdown. That, however, is pretty rare.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

gonna try swapping out my PSU with the TR2 later today to see if that helps

 

[JrRacinFan]

I agree with everyone else here that it is power supply. Upon hearing the click noise, I'm assuming it's hard drive clicking and powering off, then power supply shuts down powering off the whole pc.

Do psu's have thermal protection? I can't remember ....

Either way, take a peak at this cooler:
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel...

 

[TheMailMan78]

There is a litte red switch on the back of the PSU. It says 120v and 220v/240v. Did your GF click that?

 

[Kreij]

There is a litte red switch on the back of the PSU. It says 120v and 220v/240v. Did your GF click that?

Isn't that how you OC the PSU ?

@Barbaric : Let us know what fixes (or does not fix) the problem in case other people experience this same issue.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Isn't that how you OC the PSU ?

@Barbaric : Let us know what fixes (or does not fix) the problem in case other people experience this same issue.

I hope you are kidding.

 

[Mussels]

oh f*ck no, do NOT flick that red switch. fire ensues.

 

[Kreij]

I hope you are kidding.

Yes, MM. I am kidding. We all know you OC the PSU in the BIOS

oh f*ck no, do NOT flick that red switch. fire ensues.

Setting a PSU to 220V and feeding it 110V should not result in any damage to the PSU. It should detect insufficient input voltage and simply not function.

Setting a PSU to 110V and feeding it 220V will fry it in a quite spectacular manner.

 

[Mussels]

Yes, MM. I am kidding. We all know you OC the PSU in the BIOS



Setting a PSU to 220V and feeding it 110V should not result in any damage to the PSU. It should detect insufficient input voltage and simply not function.

Setting a PSU to 110V and feeding it 220V will fry it in a quite spectacular manner.

our mains runs on 240v, and yeah, i've seen some pretty fireworks...

 

[Peter1986C]

240v is the EU voltage, in the US the electricity comes out of the wall in a lower voltage (120v if I am right). If the switch is on 240v while you're in the US, the psu "thinks" it is undervoltaged and powers down to protect itself and the pc.
Correct me if I am wrong guys.

 

[_JP_]

240v is the EU voltage, in the US the electricity comes out of the wall in a lower voltage (120v if I am right). If the switch is on 240v while you're in the US, the psu "thinks" it is undervoltaged and powers down to protect itself and the pc.
Correct me if I am wrong guys.

Adding that in the US the A/C freq. is 60Hz and in the EU is 50Hz. For "study" purposes I've put a PSU at 120V and plugged it on the 230V. Found out that it would be a very good alarm clock.

 

[bogmali]

Yes, MM. I am kidding. We all know you OC the PSU in the BIOS .

No wait, I've done mine through EVGA's Precision software.....Am I screwed?

Kidding aside......What you heard is a "Click of Death" which means your PSU either died or in your case resets itself. It should work "again" after you let cool off for some time but this is a sign that your PSU is about to go out.

 

[TeXBill]

What you heard is a "Click of Death" which means your PSU either died or in your case resets itself. It should work "again" after you let cool off for some time but this is a sign that your PSU is about to go out.

+1 I agree with that I've actually had that happen to me after a storm blew thru my neighborhood and we lost elect. for about 60 mins.
Change PSU and everything will be ok...

 

[scaminatrix]

I know someone who flicked the red switch on the back of the PSU while the rig was ON...
Needlessly to say, it died. Some people are too stupid even for consoles.

 

[W1zzard]

check if all fans are spinning, especially the psu fan.

this seems to be a heat problem, or some kind of short happens randomly while the system is running (not very likely)

 

[BarbaricSoul]

check if all fans are spinning, especially the psu fan.

this seems to be a heat problem, or some kind of short happens randomly while the system is running (not very likely)

when the click happens, everything shuts down. If I try to restart it, the fans will for about 1/2 a second try to start spinning(they make about a 1/4 spin) and that's all they'll do.



I haven't had the chance to try my PSU in it yet.

 

[AsRock]

Like most said PSU what makes me think it's that is that it's shutting down and taking you a while before your able to turn it back on.

 

[Cold Storm]

Any update man?