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computer shuts off

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dragoncdf   11-05-2008 at 03:59:50 PM

Ok twice now after playing test drive unlimited my computer shuts down and won't start working for several hours. Like tonight I played for an hour and when I got done shut the computer down. An hour later I turned it on to check some stuff on the internet about 15 minutes later the screen went and the only light was the power light. I turned off the computer and back on to have the cpu fan run at full speed and didn't wind down and nothing on screen. 2 and a half hours later and it's back to working. When this happened I noticed the power supply fan barely running now that it's back to working the fan seems to be going stronger too. Is it a matter of the cpu overheating or something else. A quick note is the cpu usage goes to at least 60% while playing test drive.This so far only happens while playing test drive. Played spiderman 3 Monday with no problems and the cpu usage is about 5 or 10%.
Here is my info about the computer.
intel d915gag motherboard
3.2Ghz pentium 4 with hyperthreading
3 gigs of ram
XFX 8600gt xxx
vista 32 bit
and a 300 watt power supply
my voltage rating according to speedfan is:
+2.5V:1.48
Vcore:1.34
+3.3V:3.34
5V:5.15
+12:12.19

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jtt283   11-05-2008 at 04:20:20 PM
- 0 +

Three hundred watts ought to be enough, but your PSU is probably aging and can no longer handle even that load.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
dragoncdf   11-05-2008 at 04:47:25 PM
- 0 +

So it's not just the cpu overheating? I thought it might be the power supply how is this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007 ?

Reply to dragoncdf
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 05:02:26 PM
- 0 +

That's good.
Is this a branded computer, like HP or Dell?

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
jtt283   11-05-2008 at 05:16:09 PM
- 0 +

Yes, that's a good PSU.
Something (could be the PSU) might still be overheating. Get a can of compressed air (not a vacuum cleaner, and not an air compressor) to blow it out.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
dragoncdf   11-05-2008 at 05:24:13 PM
- 0 +

It's a gateway 552ge had 4 years now. Toke a can of compressed air to it this past weekend before it started acting up. On a side note ran the vista memory test just to make sure it wasn't the ram I recently added and found no problems there. Also ran burn in 2008 for 30 minutes no errors for and the cpu temp stayed at 57C.

Reply to dragoncdf
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 05:35:32 PM
- 0 +

Before buying a new PSU, find out from Gateway if it uses a proprietary PSU or a standard ATX. You can buy the Antec if it uses a standard ATX, otherwise you need to buy a proprietary one.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 05:38:27 PM
- 0 +

Check your CPU temperature with Speedfan or Everest.
If it stays under load below 70ºC, it is not a temperature related problem.


------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
dragoncdf   11-05-2008 at 05:55:10 PM
- 0 +

This is the psu currently in it http://www.oemliquidators.com/sear [...] id=6500936 Also I've seen the cpu temp sometimes at 70C and no problems then but not sure when gaming since test drive stutters I shut down anything not require. It still stutters though.

Reply to dragoncdf
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 06:36:41 PM
- 0 +

Run an antivirus program or Prime95, check for maximum temperature.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
dragoncdf   11-05-2008 at 06:59:25 PM
- 0 +

Ran antivirus and found nothing also reran burn-in 2008 cpu stress test which makes the cpu usage jump to 50% about like test drive and the temp stayed 59 to 60C. Here is what I have connected to the 300 watt power supply:
200 gig hard drive
dvd burner
cd rom drive
media card reader
8600gt xxx video card
and 2 fans the cpu fan and another fan
the only thing that has been changed in the system is more ram and the video card. Also this computer did something similar a year ago but much worse just surfing the net after awhile it would cut off. I added the 7300gs videocard to replace the integrated video card and the problem stopped. The card I got now I just got so it can't be the card.

Reply to dragoncdf
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 07:54:45 PM
- 0 +

As far as stuttering goes, that is because the 8600GT is not much of a gaming card. You would probably need a more powerful one to stop the stuttering.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 07:58:55 PM
- 0 +

If you can put in the Antec 500W PSU instead of the stock one, you would get more for your money and be able to upgrade eventually.
Again, make sure Gateway uses standard ATX power supplies.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
evongugg   11-05-2008 at 08:05:44 PM
- 0 +

Integrated video is the lowest form of video.
If your computer is abnormally slow in applications other than gaming, you might think of building or buying another one.
I attribute the shutting off to the power supply.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
dragoncdf   11-06-2008 at 03:14:09 PM
- 0 +

evongugg wrote :

If you can put in the Antec 500W PSU instead of the stock one, you would get more for your money and be able to upgrade eventually.
Again, make sure Gateway uses standard ATX power supplies.


Tried emailing gateway but they want to charge to answer a simple question. I do know the exact power supply in my system is http://www.oemliquidators.com/sear [...] id=6500936 not sure if that is standard atx.

Reply to dragoncdf
JohnnyLucky   11-06-2008 at 08:14:26 PM
- 0 +

Open your computer case and look at the label on the psu. Write down the manufacturer, make, and model. Post the information so we can figure out what you have. Unlike Gateway we won't charge you.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to JohnnyLucky
dragoncdf   11-06-2008 at 09:18:04 PM
- 0 +

JohnnyLucky wrote :

Open your computer case and look at the label on the psu. Write down the manufacturer, make, and model. Post the information so we can figure out what you have. Unlike Gateway we won't charge you.


From what I can see it is a Hipro HP-P3087F3. Everything else is block by the cpu fan.That's wonderful customer service at gateway. No way I would pay $60 for 30 minute tech support.

Reply to dragoncdf
JohnnyLucky   11-06-2008 at 09:22:09 PM
- 0 +

OK! When I get home from work today I'll look it up. Don't recognise the name though.

Reply to JohnnyLucky
JohnnyLucky   11-06-2008 at 09:33:25 PM
- 0 +

That was easy. I thought it would take me longer to sort things out.

You have the following 300 watt psu inb your computer:

http://www.oemliquidators.com/sear [...] %206500936

It is a standard ATX power supply. You can replace it with any high quality ATX power supply. I recommend a Corsair psu. I have been using Corsair psu's for several years without any problems. They are high quality, rock steady, and very stable.


Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 11-06-2008 at 09:35:04 PM
Reply to JohnnyLucky
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