Power Supply Failure

C

cardude2004

3,001
Ok, yesterday my computer started to do like random shutdowns. All of a sudden, the computer like turns off and it doesn't even go through the Windows shutdown sequence, the screen just goes blank and the drives turn off, etc.

It is still doing this today.

About every 5 to 20 minutes it randomly shuts down. Do you think this is my PSU failing?

I have a 450 watt PSU and an ATX mobo, 2.8 ghz processor, 4 drives (1 cd, 1 dvd, 2 hdd) and an AGP video card. Nvidia 5200 Ultra.

If this is a PSU failure, how many watts does my new PSU need to be?

EDIT: I did scan for viruses and spyware. I don't have any viruses or spyware that is causing this.
 
cardude2004
Ok, yesterday my computer started to do like random shutdowns. All of a sudden, the computer like turns off and it doesn't even go through the Windows shutdown sequence, the screen just goes blank and the drives turn off, etc.

It is still doing this today.

About every 5 to 20 minutes it randomly shuts down. Do you think this is my PSU failing?

I have a 450 watt PSU and an ATX mobo, 2.8 ghz processor, 4 drives (1 cd, 1 dvd, 2 hdd) and an AGP video card. Nvidia 5200 Ultra.

If this is a PSU failure, how many watts does my new PSU need to be?

EDIT: I did scan for viruses and spyware. I don't have any viruses or spyware that is causing this.
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Does the computer start anymore?
450W should be enough, i have a 2.66ghz P4, 1 cd, 1 dvd, 1 hd, 1 floppy disc and memory stick, 1.5gb ram, ATi X850xt 256mb AGP powered by a 300w power supply.
 
sounds like it COULD be power supply related. how old is it? was it one that you bought yourself, or one that came inside your case? those tend to be a little cheaper. i just had mine go out on me recently. it would just randomly "shut off" as well, tho my power light would stay lit in front, but the fans would all shut off, screen would go blank. id have to manually shut it off and restart it. (had the crappy ps that came w/ my case in there, was probably like a 300 watt) so i replaced it w/ a new 500 watt and i havent had any problems since
 
Yep, its probably the power supply. For the new power supply I would say 300-450 is a good range. I would go on the lower end of the range for a computer like that.
 
It's not always about how many watts the power supply has, it could just be poor quality or from a poor manufacturer. People always say that if you are going to buy a PSU make sure it's from a good name such as Antec or Akasa.

Hope you find out what's causing it.
 
donbenni
It's not always about how many watts the power supply has, it could just be poor quality or from a poor manufacturer. People always say that if you are going to buy a PSU make sure it's from a good name such as Antec or Akasa.
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Generic PSU's often don't provide the wattage they're rated at, and usually consist of cheaper parts. That's why it's a good idea to get PSU's from trusted brands (a lot of newer ones even contain PFC, which helps keep your electricity bill down).
 
Shannon
Generic PSU's often don't provide the wattage they're rated at, and usually consist of cheaper parts. That's why it's a good idea to get PSU's from trusted brands (a lot of newer ones even contain PFC, which helps keep your electricity bill down).
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lets also not forget that sometimes cheapo PSUs explode when they've seen enough stress :dopey:
 

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