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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then,
I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Interestingly, trying to turn the machine back on does nothing. HOWEVER...if I physically unplug the PC, and leave it off for a few seconds, I then *can* reboot it. Looking inside the case, I notice a green LED. When this goes out (after unplugging) it signals that I can now successfully reboot. If I try to reboot before the light goes out (about a 2 second wait) the reboot fails. I'm assuming the LED is showing power remaining on the motherboard due to capacitors. I don't know if that's a hint towards a solution? Also, when I reboot, most (but not all) of the time the bios has been reset as well. Now the questions I've got a 1) Why? I've installed drives dozens of times, and never had anything like this. 2) How do I fix it? Presumably a new motherboard will do the trick, though I'd like to a) confirm that's the cause and b) fix the existing MB, if at all possible. (Historically, every time I've tried to replace a MB I've ended up having to replace the entire PC. Apparently my skills don't lie in that direction!) Is there any chance I can salvage this board? I have no idea if replacing the onboard battery, flashing the bios, or any of these arcane things will do anything to help, or if it's physically broken and needs a part replaced? A electrician friend tells me he thinks a capacitor may have gone, but looking at the MB, none of them appear to be swollen or leaking. thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! |
#2
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
wrote in message
... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Interestingly, trying to turn the machine back on does nothing. HOWEVER...if I physically unplug the PC, and leave it off for a few seconds, I then *can* reboot it. Looking inside the case, I notice a green LED. When this goes out (after unplugging) it signals that I can now successfully reboot. If I try to reboot before the light goes out (about a 2 second wait) the reboot fails. I'm assuming the LED is showing power remaining on the motherboard due to capacitors. I don't know if that's a hint towards a solution? Also, when I reboot, most (but not all) of the time the bios has been reset as well. Now the questions I've got a 1) Why? I've installed drives dozens of times, and never had anything like this. 2) How do I fix it? Presumably a new motherboard will do the trick, though I'd like to a) confirm that's the cause and b) fix the existing MB, if at all possible. (Historically, every time I've tried to replace a MB I've ended up having to replace the entire PC. Apparently my skills don't lie in that direction!) Is there any chance I can salvage this board? I have no idea if replacing the onboard battery, flashing the bios, or any of these arcane things will do anything to help, or if it's physically broken and needs a part replaced? A electrician friend tells me he thinks a capacitor may have gone LMAO but looking at the MB, none of them appear to be swollen or leaking. thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! After all that waffle and piffle, you never even once conidered removing the ****ing DVD drive. Right? -- alt.usenet.kooks "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 [129] Hammer of Thor: February 2007. Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker: September 2005, April 2006, January 2007. Official Member: Cabal Obsidian Order COOSN-124-07-06660 Official Overseer of Kooks & Trolls in 24hoursupport.helpdesk Member of: Usenet Ruiner List Top Assholes on the Net List Most hated usenetizens of all time List Cog in the AUK Hate Machine Find me on Google Maps: 24°39'47.13"S, 134°4'20.18"E |
#3
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
Your DVD drive could be defective.So could that second power drive
too.One of the worst things to do with a computer is to physically unplug that computer without properly shutting the computer down first. cuhulin |
#4
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Apr 17, 8:51 pm, wrote:
Your DVD drive could be defective.So could that second power drive too.One of the worst things to do with a computer is to physically unplug that computer without properly shutting the computer down first. cuhulin I agree. Shutting a computer down by simply unplugging it (a method I call "brute force") rather than using the correct shutdown procedure can and often does corrupt the operating system, requiring that the entire OS be reinstalled--not to mention all your application programs you may have installed at the time. Most of the time the computer will go into safe mode if it is shut down other than by the recommended procedure, but I wouldn't count on it. I don't even remember how many times my first Windows computer (running Win95) crashed and corrupted the operating system when I tried to shut down the system with the brute force technique. (I don't do that anymore with my current Win98SE system unless I have to, say if the computer freezes and absolutely cannot be shut down normally; live and learn.) Another problem with shutting down simply by pulling the plug is that the hard drive may have errors on it when the system is restarted; many if not most Windows computers are set up by default to scan the hard disk as soon as the system boots after a crash. The system can be set to repair automatically any errors thus found. Still another potentially fatal (for the computer) problem created by the act of shutting down without following the correct procedure is that the read/write heads of the hard disk will literally crash into the disk, again with the potential for disk errors when the system is rebooted. These crashes will eventually ruin your hard drive, so it is best to avoid them if possible. Occasional disk crashes are inevitable (power outages, for example), but here I am speaking of unnecessary hard disk crashes caused by incorrect shutdowns; for maximum trouble-free life of your hard disk, please, for gosh sakes use the Windows-recommended shutdown method. This can be accessed directly from the Start menu by clicking on "Shut Down" and selecting the option of the same name from the menu which appears, or by doing the so-called "three-finger salute", i.e. pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete while the computer is powered up. Jeff Strieble, WB8NHV Fairport Harbor, Ohio USA |
#5
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
Jeff, WB8NHV wrote:
On Apr 17, 8:51 pm, wrote: Your DVD drive could be defective.So could that second power drive too.One of the worst things to do with a computer is to physically unplug that computer without properly shutting the computer down first. cuhulin I agree. Shutting a computer down by simply unplugging it (a method I call "brute force") rather than using the correct shutdown procedure can and often does corrupt the operating system, requiring that the entire OS be reinstalled--not to mention all your application programs you may have installed at the time. Most of the time the computer will go into safe mode if it is shut down other than by the recommended procedure, but I wouldn't count on it. I don't even remember how many times my first Windows computer (running Win95) crashed and corrupted the operating system when I tried to shut down the system with the brute force technique. (I don't do that anymore with my current Win98SE system unless I have to, say if the computer freezes and absolutely cannot be shut down normally; live and learn.) Another problem with shutting down simply by pulling the plug is that the hard drive may have errors on it when the system is restarted; many if not most Windows computers are set up by default to scan the hard disk as soon as the system boots after a crash. The system can be set to repair automatically any errors thus found. Still another potentially fatal (for the computer) problem created by the act of shutting down without following the correct procedure is that the read/write heads of the hard disk will literally crash into the disk, again with the potential for disk errors when the system is rebooted. These crashes will eventually ruin your hard drive, so it is best to avoid them if possible. Occasional disk crashes are inevitable (power outages, for example), but here I am speaking of unnecessary hard disk crashes caused by incorrect shutdowns; for maximum trouble-free life of your hard disk, please, for gosh sakes use the Windows-recommended shutdown method. This can be accessed directly from the Start menu by clicking on "Shut Down" and selecting the option of the same name from the menu which appears, or by doing the so-called "three-finger salute", i.e. pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete while the computer is powered up. The heads on modern HD's automatically retract when power is removed, it's a function of the design. They do not crash into the platters. Jerry Jeff Strieble, WB8NHV Fairport Harbor, Ohio USA |
#6
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Apr 20, 6:16 pm, Jerry Peters wrote:
Jeff, WB8NHV wrote: On Apr 17, 8:51 pm, wrote: Your DVD drive could be defective.So could that second power drive too.One of the worst things to do with a computer is to physically unplug that computer without properly shutting the computer down first. cuhulin I agree. Shutting a computer down by simply unplugging it (a method I call "brute force") rather than using the correct shutdown procedure can and often does corrupt the operating system, requiring that the entire OS be reinstalled--not to mention all your application programs you may have installed at the time. Most of the time the computer will go into safe mode if it is shut down other than by the recommended procedure, but I wouldn't count on it. I don't even remember how many times my first Windows computer (running Win95) crashed and corrupted the operating system when I tried to shut down the system with the brute force technique. (I don't do that anymore with my current Win98SE system unless I have to, say if the computer freezes and absolutely cannot be shut down normally; live and learn.) Another problem with shutting down simply by pulling the plug is that the hard drive may have errors on it when the system is restarted; many if not most Windows computers are set up by default to scan the hard disk as soon as the system boots after a crash. The system can be set to repair automatically any errors thus found. Still another potentially fatal (for the computer) problem created by the act of shutting down without following the correct procedure is that the read/write heads of the hard disk will literally crash into the disk, again with the potential for disk errors when the system is rebooted. These crashes will eventually ruin your hard drive, so it is best to avoid them if possible. Occasional disk crashes are inevitable (power outages, for example), but here I am speaking of unnecessary hard disk crashes caused by incorrect shutdowns; for maximum trouble-free life of your hard disk, please, for gosh sakes use the Windows-recommended shutdown method. This can be accessed directly from the Start menu by clicking on "Shut Down" and selecting the option of the same name from the menu which appears, or by doing the so-called "three-finger salute", i.e. pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete while the computer is powered up. The heads on modern HD's automatically retract when power is removed, it's a function of the design. They do not crash into the platters. Jerry Jeff Strieble, WB8NHV Fairport Harbor, Ohio USA That may be true for today's hard drives (used in new laptops and desktop systems), but I was referring to the hard drive in my IBM Aptiva 595 system which was new eight years ago. Were the read/write heads on HDs of that vintage designed to retract on power down as well? If so, I'm sure I was worrying for nothing every time the disk crashed on that system and my first Windows computer circa 1997 (AST Adventure! model 200). |
#7
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
Jerry Peters wrote in news:QoOOj.221484$cQ1.29403
@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net: The heads on modern HD's automatically retract when power is removed, it's a function of the design. They do not crash into the platters. ....'should' automatically ... 'should not' crash .... Unfortunately, design and reality diverge at times. Also, on modern drives, the heads don't retract, they move to a 'parking area'. On older drives, the heads actually were removed from the area of the platter when the drive was off. Now, the heads never leave the platters. They actually land on the platters when the platters stop spinning. They take off and fly when the platters spin. I don't know how they avoid 'sticking'. I have seen platters with bands of magnetic coating scrapped completely off due to head crashes. In the late 70's, early 80's I actually replaced platters and heads and aligned drives. Now, the heads are so small that I can barely see them! In any case, since win 95/98 and later systems WRITE to the hard drive during start up, while running and during shut down, thus are updating the directory almost constantly. It is very likely that killing power without proper shut down will write garbage to the directory tracks. Once that is done, files are lost. If you are UNLUCKY, it is your data files that get corrupted, but you don't notice until you need them. If you are LUCKY, the system won't boot and you must repair the op system from the CD and repair disk you made when you installed the op system. -- bz 73 de N5BZ k please pardon my infinite ignorance, the set-of-things-I-do-not-know is an infinite set. remove ch100-5 to avoid spam trap |
#8
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. -- "I will admit to being dickless. I will admit to being a raging homosexual. I will admit to being black." - Rick Mather a.k.a. "K-man" |
#9
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
John "C" wrote:
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. applause -- http://www.kustomkomputa.co.uk - Personalised Desktop Computers |
#10
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Dr.Hal0nf1r£$" wrote in message ... John "C" wrote: "Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. applause Thank you! HJ |
#11
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Dr.Hal0nf1r£$" wrote in message
... John "C" wrote: "Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. Correction. Welcome to the John 'C' Show - Featuring Kadaitcha Man stalker, John 'C'. I have the **** plonked. As you no doubt see, there is no benefit to reading any of his tripe. -- alt.usenet.kooks "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 [129] Hammer of Thor: February 2007. Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker: September 2005, April 2006, January 2007. Official Member: Cabal Obsidian Order COOSN-124-07-06660 Official Overseer of Kooks & Trolls in 24hoursupport.helpdesk Member of: Usenet Ruiner List Top Assholes on the Net List Most hated usenetizens of all time List Cog in the AUK Hate Machine Find me on Google Maps: 24°39'47.13"S, 134°4'20.18"E |
#12
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:23:44 +1000, in the land of alt.usenet.kooks,
"Kadaitcha Man" got double secret probation for writing: "Dr.Hal0nf1r£$" wrote in message ... John "C" wrote: "Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. Correction. Welcome to the John 'C' Show - Featuring Kadaitcha Man stalker, John 'C'. I have the **** plonked. As you no doubt see, there is no benefit to reading any of his tripe. *PLONK* -- A Number 1, Grade A, Prime USDA 'Ratz Accept No Substitute |
#13
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message ... "Dr.Hal0nf1r£$" wrote in message ... John "C" wrote: "Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. Correction, I'm Gay as Boy George at Neverland Ranch! Yes, Ricky! John C. -- "I will admit to being dickless. I will admit to being a raging homosexual. I will admit to being black." - Rick Mather a.k.a. "K-man" |
#14
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:23:44 +1000
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote: "Dr.Hal0nf1r£$" wrote in message ... John "C" wrote: "Kadaitcha Man" wrote in message Right? Yes, Ricky! John C. Welcome to the the K-Man & John 'C' Show - Featuring the Kadaitcha Man and his yes-man; John 'C'. Correction. Welcome to the John 'C' Show - Featuring Kadaitcha Man stalker, John 'C'. I have the **** plonked. As you no doubt see, there is no benefit to reading any of his tripe. Actually there *is* I got him to fess up to being a WIFE BEATER. FYI -- http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com...Centipedes.jpg |
#15
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:41:16 +1000
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote: wrote in message ... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Interestingly, trying to turn the machine back on does nothing. HOWEVER...if I physically unplug the PC, and leave it off for a few seconds, I then *can* reboot it. Looking inside the case, I notice a green LED. When this goes out (after unplugging) it signals that I can now successfully reboot. If I try to reboot before the light goes out (about a 2 second wait) the reboot fails. I'm assuming the LED is showing power remaining on the motherboard due to capacitors. I don't know if that's a hint towards a solution? Also, when I reboot, most (but not all) of the time the bios has been reset as well. Now the questions I've got a 1) Why? I've installed drives dozens of times, and never had anything like this. 2) How do I fix it? Presumably a new motherboard will do the trick, though I'd like to a) confirm that's the cause and b) fix the existing MB, if at all possible. (Historically, every time I've tried to replace a MB I've ended up having to replace the entire PC. Apparently my skills don't lie in that direction!) Is there any chance I can salvage this board? I have no idea if replacing the onboard battery, flashing the bios, or any of these arcane things will do anything to help, or if it's physically broken and needs a part replaced? A electrician friend tells me he thinks a capacitor may have gone LMAO MAybe in the new drive? but looking at the MB, none of them appear to be swollen or leaking. thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! After all that waffle and piffle, you never even once conidered removing the ****ing DVD drive. Right? Sure. test it in a new unit. Then mess around in the BIOS...then notice that OMG! My show is coming on! Leave for few days and come back and everything works magically. Blame evil haunted equipment. -- http://www.encyclopediadramatica.com...Centipedes.jpg |
#16
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated!
After all that waffle and piffle, you never even once conidered removing the ****ing DVD drive. Right? Wow, you're quick to jump to conclusions. If you read the post, you'll notice that: "...I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related." So yes, of course I removed the DVD drive. Logically, the first thing to try... |
#17
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
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#18
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
wrote in message
... thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! After all that waffle and piffle, you never even once conidered removing the ****ing DVD drive. Right? Wow, you're quick to jump to conclusions. Yes, very. You have a problem with that? If you read the post, you'll notice that: "...I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related." So yes, of course IBITCHSLAP You need to be less overblown with the techno-bull****. People like you do that all the time in an effort to hide the fact that you don't know what the **** you're on about. The fact is, now that you offer that text in your defence, the very first line in that mass of swollen verbiage you call a post was a lie. "I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically..." Had you been less of a ****ing jaw-boner you would have said "I installed a DVD drive into my PC then removed it. Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically..." The poor ****s who have to suffer your flowery, porcine posts wouldn't have needed the ten extra pages of ****ing bombastic waffle you added. The answer would have been a straightforward, "You ****ed something". HTH -- alt.usenet.kooks "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 [129] Hammer of Thor: February 2007. Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker: September 2005, April 2006, January 2007. Official Member: Cabal Obsidian Order COOSN-124-07-06660 Official Overseer of Kooks & Trolls in 24hoursupport.helpdesk Member of: Usenet Ruiner List Top Assholes on the Net List Most hated usenetizens of all time List Cog in the AUK Hate Machine Find me on Google Maps: 24°39'47.13"S, 134°4'20.18"E |
#19
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.os.windows-xp
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:57:30 -0700 (PDT)
wrote: thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! After all that waffle and piffle, you never even once conidered removing the ****ing DVD drive. Right? Wow, you're quick to jump to conclusions. If you read the post, you'll notice that: "...I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related." Might as well try taking the RAM and putting em back in different slots. Chip creep & all that... So yes, of course I removed the DVD drive. Logically, the first thing to try... I'd **** around in the BIOS...but then I like to **** around in the BIOS. Post the model # of you DVD drive. Need more info. -- http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/18/...-iraq-debacle/ |
#20
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
wrote in message
... \I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. |
#21
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Apr 18, 12:46 pm, "Butch Haynes" butch@huntsville wrote:
wrote in message ... \I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. Thank you for the tip. I did this, but no luck. A couple interesting new developments: one one occasion when it wouldn't start, holding down the power button kept the PC on, for as long as I held it. That made me wonder if it was the switch, but the effect was never repeated. Another time it wouldn't start, and I disconnected all the devices but the hard drive, and then it started. Yet other times I have disconnected every single device, and the fan won't even spin and try to start. Strange... Thank you! I appreciate the helpers among the trolls. |
#22
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
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#23
Posted to alt.os.windows-xp,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Butch Haynes" butch@huntsville wrote in message
. .. wrote in message ... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tech support by feng shui. -- alt.usenet.kooks "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 [129] Hammer of Thor: February 2007. Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker: September 2005, April 2006, January 2007. Official Member: Cabal Obsidian Order COOSN-124-07-06660 Official Overseer of Kooks & Trolls in 24hoursupport.helpdesk Member of: Usenet Ruiner List Top Assholes on the Net List Most hated usenetizens of all time List Cog in the AUK Hate Machine Find me on Google Maps: 24°39'47.13"S, 134°4'20.18"E |
#24
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:26:03 +1000, in the land of alt.usenet.kooks,
"Kadaitcha Man" got double secret probation for writing: "Butch Haynes" butch@huntsville wrote in message ... wrote in message ... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tech support by feng shui. "I've tried removing all my hardware(other than RAM)" Do none of them understand what that entails? -- A Number 1, Grade A, Prime USDA 'Ratz Accept No Substitute |
#25
Posted to alt.os.windows-xp,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
"Aratzio" wrote in message
... On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:26:03 +1000, in the land of alt.usenet.kooks, "Kadaitcha Man" got double secret probation for writing: "Butch Haynes" butch@huntsville wrote in message m... wrote in message ... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tech support by feng shui. "I've tried removing all my hardware(other than RAM)" Do none of them understand what that entails? None of them understand anything. -- alt.usenet.kooks "We are arrant knaves all, believe none of us." Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1 [129] Hammer of Thor: February 2007. Pierre Salinger Memorial Hook, Line & Sinker: September 2005, April 2006, January 2007. Official Member: Cabal Obsidian Order COOSN-124-07-06660 Official Overseer of Kooks & Trolls in 24hoursupport.helpdesk Member of: Usenet Ruiner List Top Assholes on the Net List Most hated usenetizens of all time List Cog in the AUK Hate Machine Find me on Google Maps: 24°39'47.13"S, 134°4'20.18"E |
#26
Posted to alt.os.windows-xp,alt.usenet.kooks,alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:35:53 +1000
"Kadaitcha Man" wrote: "Aratzio" wrote in message ... On Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:26:03 +1000, in the land of alt.usenet.kooks, "Kadaitcha Man" got double secret probation for writing: "Butch Haynes" butch@huntsville wrote in message m... wrote in message ... I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Unplug/replug all power and data connections. That way, the errant loose one will be fixed and your problem will be resolved. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Tech support by feng shui. "I've tried removing all my hardware(other than RAM)" Do none of them understand what that entails? None of them understand anything. I go toetally on into-ition. Just do what feels good for a few hours...take out a few cables...fondle them...blow out the dust bunnies...listen to the Grateful Dead live at Winterland for inspiration. Drink another beer... Change a bunch of jumpers on the Mobo at random. Leave **** scattered around on yer workbench and wander away. Watch cartoons for another hour... Come back and put it back together. Holy ****! Now it works. Thats how I do it anyway. FYI HTH -- http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/18/...-iraq-debacle/ |
#27
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
In article
, wrote: I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. I had a similar thing which drove me crazy. Happened just after fitting a new graphics card. Which was just coincidence. Turned out to be the main processor overheating and shutting down. Its fan was working normally and no error messages generated. Removing the heatsink, cleaning and applying new thermo conductive paste sorted it. Now have a spare power supply... -- *I'm really easy to get along with once people learn to worship me Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#28
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes In article , wrote: I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. I had a similar thing which drove me crazy. Happened just after fitting a new graphics card. Which was just coincidence. Turned out to be the main processor overheating and shutting down. Its fan was working normally and no error messages generated. Removing the heatsink, cleaning and applying new thermo conductive paste sorted it. Now have a spare power supply... I had the same problem with the PC shutting down when the processor was working hard. Its heatsink was full of dust. Soon afterwards, I again had shutdowns. This time it was because the PSU fan had seized solid (probably dry bearings). Freeing-off and re-lubrication with WD40 has worked for the last 6 months (but I will fit a new fan one day). In the front of the case, I have since fitted an additional fan which sucks the air in, and also blocked off some unused holes (to ensure that most of the air entering passes through the fan). In front of the fan is a crude filter made out of thin scouring pads. Every couple of weeks, I wrench off the plastic front panel of the computer, and clean a VERY dirty filter. Finally, as this is an Asus motherboard, I have installed 'Asus PC Probe' - a monitoring program which tells you things like the temperature of the processor and hard drives, the voltage rails, the fan speeds etc. As all is now working OK, I don't use it much, but it is interesting to watch the processor rise from 28C to 45C during a prolonged spell of 100% activity! -- Ian |
#29
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
In article ,
Ian Jackson wrote: I had a similar thing which drove me crazy. Happened just after fitting a new graphics card. Which was just coincidence. Turned out to be the main processor overheating and shutting down. Its fan was working normally and no error messages generated. Removing the heatsink, cleaning and applying new thermo conductive paste sorted it. Now have a spare power supply... I had the same problem with the PC shutting down when the processor was working hard. Its heatsink was full of dust. Soon afterwards, I again had shutdowns. This time it was because the PSU fan had seized solid (probably dry bearings). Freeing-off and re-lubrication with WD40 has worked for the last 6 months (but I will fit a new fan one day). Mine was relatively new and the heatsink clean. Plenty of fans, too, all working. It's a home assembled one which worked fine for a year or so before developing the symptoms. I used the paste which came with the heatsink originally and that had gone hard - dunno why. -- *Acupuncture is a jab well done* Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#30
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes In article , Ian Jackson wrote: I had a similar thing which drove me crazy. Happened just after fitting a new graphics card. Which was just coincidence. Turned out to be the main processor overheating and shutting down. Its fan was working normally and no error messages generated. Removing the heatsink, cleaning and applying new thermo conductive paste sorted it. Now have a spare power supply... I had the same problem with the PC shutting down when the processor was working hard. Its heatsink was full of dust. Soon afterwards, I again had shutdowns. This time it was because the PSU fan had seized solid (probably dry bearings). Freeing-off and re-lubrication with WD40 has worked for the last 6 months (but I will fit a new fan one day). Mine was relatively new and the heatsink clean. Plenty of fans, too, all working. It's a home assembled one which worked fine for a year or so before developing the symptoms. I used the paste which came with the heatsink originally and that had gone hard - dunno why. Unfortunately, in this house, there seems to be an inexhaustible supply dirt and dust. God know where it comes from. You really would NOT believe how filthy my home-made filter gets. Actually, I forgot to mention also that the clamping of the heat dissipater/ fan assembly to the processor was rather loose. This would definitely have made things worse. I disassembled everything, cleaned off the dust and thermal paste (which was still soft), did a bit of judicious bending so the clamp was firm, put on new thermal paste, etc. It was like a new machine when I had finished. -- Ian |
#31
Posted to alt.computer,sci.electronics.repair,24hoursupport.helpdesk
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article , Ian Jackson wrote: I had a similar thing which drove me crazy. Happened just after fitting a new graphics card. Which was just coincidence. Turned out to be the main processor overheating and shutting down. Its fan was working normally and no error messages generated. Removing the heatsink, cleaning and applying new thermo conductive paste sorted it. Now have a spare power supply... I had the same problem with the PC shutting down when the processor was working hard. Its heatsink was full of dust. Soon afterwards, I again had shutdowns. This time it was because the PSU fan had seized solid (probably dry bearings). Freeing-off and re-lubrication with WD40 has worked for the last 6 months (but I will fit a new fan one day). Mine was relatively new and the heatsink clean. Plenty of fans, too, all working. It's a home assembled one which worked fine for a year or so before developing the symptoms. I used the paste which came with the heatsink originally and that had gone hard - dunno why. The heat dries out most pastes ! That is why the move to phase change materials was made. Also the phase change material allows for a much thinner interface improving thermal conductivity and thus a more effective heat transfer. -- Best Regards: Baron. |
#33
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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spontaneous PC power losses - HELP!
You didn't say how old the PC is. It might be the onboard battery.
First, try to reseat it; if that doesn't help, I'd try replacing it w. a new one. Also, check carefully that the MB is not occasionally shorting out to the chassis (that all insulating spacers are in place). wrote: I recently installed a DVD drive into my PC. (2 days ago.) Since then, I get spontaneous power loss periodically - sometimes seconds after booting, other times after hours of operation. I've tried replacing the power supply, and I've tried removing all my hardware (other than RAM), so I'm thinking it must be motherboard related. Interestingly, trying to turn the machine back on does nothing. HOWEVER...if I physically unplug the PC, and leave it off for a few seconds, I then *can* reboot it. Looking inside the case, I notice a green LED. When this goes out (after unplugging) it signals that I can now successfully reboot. If I try to reboot before the light goes out (about a 2 second wait) the reboot fails. I'm assuming the LED is showing power remaining on the motherboard due to capacitors. I don't know if that's a hint towards a solution? Also, when I reboot, most (but not all) of the time the bios has been reset as well. Now the questions I've got a 1) Why? I've installed drives dozens of times, and never had anything like this. 2) How do I fix it? Presumably a new motherboard will do the trick, though I'd like to a) confirm that's the cause and b) fix the existing MB, if at all possible. (Historically, every time I've tried to replace a MB I've ended up having to replace the entire PC. Apparently my skills don't lie in that direction!) Is there any chance I can salvage this board? I have no idea if replacing the onboard battery, flashing the bios, or any of these arcane things will do anything to help, or if it's physically broken and needs a part replaced? A electrician friend tells me he thinks a capacitor may have gone, but looking at the MB, none of them appear to be swollen or leaking. thanks a lot! any advice is appreciated! |
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