psu

[ralphie7]

Hi guys
i don't know if i have a problem or not
well i do but i aren't sure what is the cause.

pc keeps resetting itself
Avast freezes while virus scanning
keep getting the message PROGRAM NOT RESPONDING
programs won't CLOSE

I don't know if its my psu that is on its way out
or i have a virus or some other nasty

yesterday i couldn't get internet access until dinnertime
though i could get my emails.
it wasn't the net cause i could get on with my daughters laptop

anyone know of any way you can test a psu ?

or any other ideas ?

[ralphie7]

when it resets its not the dreaded BLUE SCREEN thingy
it just resets like i have pressed the reset button

[GotaFancy?(BPP)]

Stupid question Is the plug in the wall properly? And the other end in the desktop firmly?

Also worth trying PC Pitstop and Housecall if you can....

[ralphie7]

Thanks mate will give Housecall a try next.

the bit about the plugs is not so daft.
its usually something simple and you don't find it till
you have got the damn engine out and the cylinder head off

[ralphie7]

tell you what i have noticed
if you press the power down switch
when the thing is locked up
when you take your finger off it boots back up
it should stay off until you press it again
i have to turn the switch off at the back of the case.
it doesn't happen all the time but a fair bit.

[davidmphill]

Fcuk me Ralphie, you must be the unluckiest guy in the world when it comes to all things computers!

Best of luck!!!!!!

[Comic Book Guy]

It could be at least a dozen of causes for those symptoms. It might be bad Power Supply, it might be overheating, or problems with some peripherals (scanner, printer)...
You could do two things to find out what the cause is:
1. Click 'Start' -> Run -> type 'eventvwr' -> This will open Event Viewer, so you can try to find what happend at the time of last system freeze (restart).
2. Force your PC to show you Blue Screen of Death by right clicking on “My Computer” and choosing “Properties”. Goto the “Advanced” Tab and under “Startup and Recovery” press the “Settings” button.
Under the “System Failure” box there will be a checkbox saying “Automatically Restart”. Untick this box and click Ok. Next time your PC goes berserk it will show you BSOD with the error code. Write down that code and we (or Google) will be able to tell you more.

I don't want to alarm you mate, but if you're getting a lot of these freezes and restarts it might be wise to make a backup of your important files. Just in case...
It's probably nothing serious, but a half an hour of burning things to DVDs could mean a lot in case it is serious.

[ralphie7]

thanks guys
can't get it to go on the internet again this morning so i am on my daughters laptop again.
stayed up till about 3 am messing about with the bloody thing.
no joy
didn't get thru Housecall
took it ages and then it didn't finish
I can't feel any heat on the case but i will take the side off today and check all fans are running.

the power supply is the only bit apart from the case that i haven,t either upgraded/replaced.
it must be 8 or 9 year old.

so it must be a suspect.
its just i would like to sure that was the cause before i replace it.
not tight but don't believe in replacing something just for the sake of it.

thanks for the help i will give them a try today and try and solve it.

David - you know i was thinking that too

thanks guys
ralphie

[Comic Book Guy]

Originally Posted by ralphie7

the power supply is the only bit apart from the case that i haven,t either upgraded/replaced.
it must be 8 or 9 year old.

Oh, it's the main suspect then. If you've upgraded other components and you still have old Power Supply (200W or 300W), it could be probable reason for restarts.

[ralphie7]

didn't get anywhere yesterday
can receive emails and thats it
it even freezes going in to CONTROL PANEL

anyway i have bit the bullet and ordered a new psu 650w

with my luck it probably won't cure it but at least it will be quieter.

hopefully

[ralphie7]

Right its fitted and I am back on the Internet
don't know if its sorted but it sure is quiet.

I suppose only time will tell
but getting on the Internet was encouraging.

thanks for your help guys
ralphie

[ralphie7]

no problems yesterday not even - NOT RESPONDING messages
so i think i am ok