[datrader]

My HP Pavilion a300y recently started shutting down for "no reason" while I'm using it. The monitor goes dark and the computer does not respond to the mouse or keyboard. The small indicator light on the front of the PC stays yellow and I can hear the fan running, so it's not powered down completely. But the only way I can get it back is by powering off then restarting. When this problem first started happening it was only once in a while. Now it happens every few minutes, sometimes within a couple of minutes after starting the PC. I ran Norton Anti-Virus scan, MS Spyware remover and the Windows Disk Checker - no problems detected. The shutdown happens regardless of what software I'm using at the time (IE, Excel, Firefox - anything).
Any ideas on what's wrong? I suspect hard drive or power supply failure, but just a guess. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,
RP

[Samm]

Certainly sounds like it could be a PSU issue. If the PSU came with the system & you haven't added additional hardware to to it since, then it should be powerful enough to run your system. In which case, its more likely to be a faulty PSU.

Also check the CPU & system temps though. These symptoms are similar to the ones you get when the system overheats.

[gerryf]

Start > Control Panel > power options

Set Standby to never in both cases (laptop desktop)

Does the problem recur?

[datrader]

Thanks for the suggestions. I installed Everest home edition and used its heat montior to check internal heat (a tip from another thread). The temps went as high as 88F / 31C. Should that level of heat cause a shutdown? The PC ran about 10 minutes at that temp before shutting down. I haven't installed any extra hardware.
Thanks,
RP

[Doby]

no that level of heat won't cause a shutdown or reboot I would trouble shoot the psu as Samm suggested

Rick

[Thexgene14]

as another quick question while we are on the suject (srry to post it in here but i didn't want to start a new thread) what should be your max temp on your computer mine is 49C/127F is that healthy?

[Samm]

Thexgene14, on Apr 18 2005, 03:18 AM, said:

as another quick question while we are on the suject (srry to post it in here but i didn't want to start a new thread) what should be your max temp on your computer mine is 49C/127F is that healthy?

Without knowing what CPU you have etc, 49C at max is fine.

[Thexgene14]

Ok coool i have a AMD 3200 64 bit CPU so as long as it deosn't go over 49 i should be good? Thanx.

[Pulaski CM]

Happens to me too

[rshaffer61]

Direct to: Pulaski CM

Please start your own topic
Although your issue may seem similar there can be other issues that may need to be resolved.
By bumping on someone's topic it makes it confusing for the tech to understand who they are helping. This can in turn cause the wrong support to be given and can cause instability or worse to happen to your system.