Computer keeps shutting off after a few hours use

[rae888]

I've never noticed what the temperature LCD reading on front of case is WHEN it happens but now days, at most is low 80s F. Right now its running at about 77-79 F.

I've checked and fan on CPU is spinning, All fans are working. And when this happens the hub on my USB port continues to get some power from the power supply because the little red light stays on even when computer is shut off. The little red light on the hub only goes out if I turn off the power switch on my power supply.

Built this computer in 2006. Everything else is working fine. I was wondering if it might be the APC Backup too. I was going to order a new power supply but would the power supply act like this if its starting to fail? Operate for a few hours, then shut down? Or does this sound more like CPU or motherboard?

I'm building a new one soon as I can so don't want to start buying new parts for an old computer without knowing WHICH part it is.

Is there any way to pinpoint the problem at work here?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rae888]

Do the Windows Event Logs contain anything useful?

I'm not sure which log to study.

 

[Onus]

Most likely the System log. It may report some kind of driver error.
The only things I plug into my UPS are computer, monitor, speakers, and my 7W LED desk lamp. Do NOT plug a laser printer into a UPS, unless the UPS is huge, e.g. 2KW. Laser printers contain heating elements that will overload a typical UPS. I have another smaller UPS into which I've plugged my phone, cable modem, and router. You might use your older one for that purpose too, possibly after replacing its battery.

 

[rae888]

Help!
I am trying to connect this new power supply. Rose Will 550W capstone Modular. All the connectors are female. I can't get my monitors to work . i had plugged a cable into motherboard and monitor wouldn't work then finally figured out it wasn't connected to the power supply and I can't figure out how to do that.
When I plug one of the cables into the 8 pint ATX 12 v, how do I connect it to power? There is one 8 pin cable which has sata connections and two females power connectors. There is another 8 pin cable that has two 6 pin connectors attached, labeled PCI express and the other SLI ready. But they have no power connector (male or female).
The only fixed cables coming out of power supply is the 20/24 pin connector and one that has two 4 pin connectors labeled UI and CP.
I don't have places for most of these cables on this 2006 motherboard. I just need to plug in my 8 pin ATX 12 v cable to power and cannot figure how to do this. The only male power connectors I have to work with are the three i have for my DVD player, and my two fans.

 

[Onus]

One end of each of your modular cables plugs into the PSU. Those ends probably look pretty much the same. There may be labels if there is any ambiguity as to where they go, but they should also be keyed to only go in where they should (even if there is more than one valid choice). You may find videos on youtube of how to do it. Are there any illustrations in a manual?

 

[rae888]

One end of each of your modular cables plugs into the PSU. Those ends probably look pretty much the same. There may be labels if there is any ambiguity as to where they go, but they should also be keyed to only go in where they should (even if there is more than one valid choice). You may find videos on youtube of how to do it. Are there any illustrations in a manual?

Hi -
No instruction manual. I know how to plug them all in to PSU. But o...UPDATE : I got it working. I feel so silly. My old Power supply had all females too. I just wasn't used to this one. Found connectors finally for everything. I don't need most of the stuff that came with this PSU.

 

[Onus]

Ah. Nice. Save all those cables. You'll need more of them (e.g. for the graphics card) when you build your new rig.

 

[rae888]

PSU's age, i'd suggest that its a psu issue, as it gets warm it fails. what is the PSU and the rest of the specs.

After trying first a new UPS, with same problem of shutting down, I installed two new fans (even tho the old ones were working since I was in there) and a new Rose Will Capstone. So far so good. I've been running it all day and no problems. So looks like your first hunch was right.
I sure had heck of a time with that Rose well PS tho. I never would have known to use a 4 pin in my 8 pin ATX 12 v if I had not read it somewhere on these boards.

Thanks for all the help. This website is great.

 

[rae888]

(See above)