Computer shuts off randomly

[enwar3]

So my computer has a shutting-off incident that happens maybe every other week, where it shuts off randomly and continues to shut off every time I try to restart for like 20 minutes, then it works fine. I checked the cpu temperature and it's not overheating, which was my first guess.

Today my friend told me using power strips could be the cause, something about power surges and what not. Right now all my computer stuff is plugged into two different power strips, which are both attached to a power strip, which is attached to an extension cord. So I use power strips liberally... does this affect my computer? The turning off?

 

[Cutthroat]

There should be an option in your BIOS for what to do on AC power loss, set this to restart. Now if your PC starts to suddenly reboot instead of just shut off I would guess you have a problem somewhere along your AC power source.

Shutting down without warning like that can corrupt your hard disks, not likely going to cause permanent damage though.

 

[Old Hippie]

Right now all my computer stuff is plugged into two different power strips, which are both attached to a power strip, which is attached to an extension cord. So I use power strips liberally... does this affect my computer?

As long as there's no type of power regulation (usually surge protection) in those strips, I wouldn't think it would be a problem....unless you're overloading the circuit.
I'd just eliminate one, and go from there.
Good Luck!

 

[wpshooter]

Originally posted by: enwar3
So my computer has a shutting-off incident that happens maybe every other week, where it shuts off randomly and continues to shut off every time I try to restart for like 20 minutes, then it works fine. I checked the cpu temperature and it's not overheating, which was my first guess.

Today my friend told me using power strips could be the cause, something about power surges and what not. Right now all my computer stuff is plugged into two different power strips, which are both attached to a power strip, which is attached to an extension cord. So I use power strips liberally... does this affect my computer? The turning off?

IF, you are saying that you are pluging running SURGE SUPPRESSORS in series then you should NOT be doing that !!!

 

[enwar3]

Regardless, I'll be taking them off the strips. I don't think they're particularly fancy power strips, one might have built in surge protection (comes standard these days?) but I'm pretty sure they're not surge suppressors or I would've noticed.

Could I possibly be overloading the strip by plugging in too many things? Both of the power strips are completely full. What's weird is the same stuff is always plugged in, but it only shuts off a couple times every two weeks.

 

[dhaddox]

It could be a lot of things....wall current, power strip, power cord, power supply, motherboard...

 

[1EZduzit]

I hap that happen once with a system and couldn't figure it out until the PSU died. Turned out it was just a bad fuse in the PSU, they didn't get the end glued on properly. I reglued it with some silicone and haven't had a problem since.

 

[DimZiE]

either u'r PSU not working properly or u might want to dole some cash for a UPS

 

[dwcal]

When my friend had this problem, it was a bad power supply. It was a horrible, cheap no-name unit.

 

[imported_Baloo]

Originally posted by: enwar3
Regardless, I'll be taking them off the strips. I don't think they're particularly fancy power strips, one might have built in surge protection (comes standard these days?) but I'm pretty sure they're not surge suppressors or I would've noticed.

Could I possibly be overloading the strip by plugging in too many things? Both of the power strips are completely full. What's weird is the same stuff is always plugged in, but it only shuts off a couple times every two weeks.

You just said one might have built in surge protection, then say you are sure they're not surge suppressors. That's contradictory. Since surge protector and surge suppressor are synonymous.

edit: and that seem like a lot of things plugged into one outlet. Definately run another extension cord from another wall plate if that's what it take to get power to where you got all your stuff. Maybe you should move into a real home rather than running power cords across other people's lawn without their permission(I kid).