I recently upgrade my computer from an AMD Athlon 900 Mhz to AMD Athlon 64 2800+ including a new AMD motherboard. I also upgraded my graphics card from NVdia 8Mb Vanta to ATI Radeon 9600 256Mb, and my hard disk from 20Gb to 120 Gb, as well as the memory from 64Mb to 512Mb. However, I still use the same old casing, with one fan. It keeps shutting down after quite sometime and reboots. What could be the problem? Sounds like you've upgraded your machine quite nicely. I'm guessing it runs much faster, and much smoother. Until it dies, of course. There's one component you didn't upgrade that I suspect as being the likely cause of your problem. Most people consider the CPU to be the heart of the computer. I don't look at it that way. The brains, maybe, but not the heart. Your power supply is the true heart of your PC. Quietly, or not so quietly, pumping out electricity at the various voltages required by the various components of your computer, the power supply is an often over looked, and under appreciated component. I mean, when was the last time you saw anyone get excited about a power supply? "Your power supply is the true heart of your PC."
With the changes you've made, it's likely that your new computer is drawing more power than your old one, and it's quite possible that your power supply isn't keeping up. It could easily be overheating and shutting down after you use it for a while. You mention that it's the "old casing with one fan". Chances are that one fan is on a small box and that small box is your old, probably tired, power supply. That would be my first guess, and the very first thing I would replace. It's probably rated for some number of watts - I'd now get one at double that rating. The other thing that your new components are probably doing is also generating more heat. It's possible that your power supply is ok, but that one fan isn't enough to keep the motherboard and other components from overheating. This is relatively easy to test ... keep the cover off of your computer, and get a table-top fan to blow air at it. If it stays running, then one way or another, you're probably overheating when the box is closed. The solution may well be the same. That more powerful power supply I mentioned above may well include a more powerful fan capable of moving more air. Alternately, you might see if you can mount a second fan in your case to help move air through. There's also a small chance that the problem is only the CPU overheating. If it doesn't already have a fan mounted directly on or over it, you might look into adding that as well. Your new motherboard probably has thermometers in various places to help measure the state of various components. Check out Motherboard Monitor, a free tool that will report your CPU's temperature among other things. It's a tad geeky, but there's good information. Related: • Recent Comments
My computer keeps shutting down and won't re-boot. I installed a new power supply with dual fans and still the same thing. I had a 500w ps and went to a 600ps. What am I doing wrong? Posted by: Chris at November 25, 2007 12:20 PMits quite simple.you have to change smps. My computer used to shut down by itself about once every two weeks. But since I bought and hooked up a new printer, keyboard, and mouse it will shut off any where from 30 seconds to 10 min. whats my problem? Is it related to the new printer? Posted by: malcolm at January 25, 2008 01:50 PMMy computer used to shut down by itself about once every two weeks. But since I bought and hooked up a new printer, keyboard, and mouse it will shut off any where from 30 seconds to 10 min. whats my problem? Is it related to the new printer? Posted by: malcolm at January 25, 2008 01:53 PMI recently did an upgrade to my machine... External hard drive keeps shutting down. I bought the enclouser at radio shack and put in old hard drive. I can use it, but after a certain period of inactivity it will quit accessing. I can turn off / on and it comes up ok. Posted by: John Keeler at February 18, 2008 10:24 AMmy pc shutting down alone after 10 minits if i stay on the piczo site any help? thx very much Posted by: adriana at March 7, 2008 03:36 PMI just went in and the PC was turned off. I turned it back on figuring it would reboot and got the screen telling me that Windows didn't shut down correctly and do I want to start up in safe mode. So I continue and then the machine just shut off. I tried this several times and several different ways and every time I have about 30 seconds before the machine shuts off. I had been having problems with my computer, recently installed 1gig memory to my already 1gig. my system is shutting down when ever i am downloading any file from net. Post a comment on "My upgraded computer keeps shutting down - what should I do?":
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