first build--computer shutting off randomly

[lancerev08]

I built my first computer and the computer will just shut off at random times. (It's happened 4 times already.) The first time, I powered on the PC and it flashed the BIOS screen and it was just sitting on the info screen (before I installed windows). I waited a few mins because I was going to check what the temperature was, but then the computer just shut off. I turned it back on and then it seemed to be working fine. Then I tried to install windows xp and it shut off in the middle of installing. I finally got winxp installed and I was getting the SP2 update and the PC just shut off....

In all of these instances, the weird thing is that I cannot power it back on. I have to first unplug the power cord, wait until the power LED on the motherboard goes off, then plug it back in, and then hit the power switch for the PC to come on...

Any help is appreciated.

Here are the specs:
Pentium D 940 3.2GHz
ABIT IL8 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P ATX Intel Motherboard
1GB Kingston PC2-4200 DDR2 533
AOpen GF6600GT-DV128 Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
Rosewill R604TSB Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Rosewill ATX12V 400W with P4 support, 20-pin Main connector Power Supply
Maxtor 6L040J2 (WinXP installed on this one)
Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
DVD+/-RW NEC ND-3550A

Could it be a power supply problem? You can click on the picture of the power supply on the case from newegg.com:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147017

The computer has been on for over an hour now without shutting off yet, here are some stats that I recorded from AbitEQ on Windows:

Voltages:
CPU Core 1.19V
DDR 1.79V
DDR VTT 0.89V
PCIE 1.5V
ATX 12V 12.26V
ATX 5V 5.14V
ATX 3.3V 3.36V

Temperatures:
CPU 23C
SYSTEM 37C
PWM 43C

CPU FAN: 1721RPM

Everything is Normal according to AbitEQ.

[minsonngo]

Your temps look good.

It is possible that the problem lies in your PSU. Do you have the ATX12V connector hooked up to the motherboard as well as the 20+4 pin main PSU cable? Rosewill makes decent power supplies but 400 watts may be inadequate for your set up.

[flanzig1]

that mother board requires a 24 pin plus a 4 pin power connection. That Roswell PSU is only a 20 pin supply. You need to get a quaility ATX 2.0 12v PSU probably in the 450 watt range.

[lancerev08]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 that mother board requires a 24 pin plus a 4 pin power connection. That Roswell PSU is only a 20 pin supply. You need to get a quaility ATX 2.0 12v PSU probably in the 450 watt range.

Yes, that's correct. I have the 20pin and the 4pin hooked up. I see that I might need the 24pin. And you think 450W is better? Any Brand recommendations for PSU? Thanks a bunch.

[minsonngo]

Antec, Thermaltake, Sparkle, and Enermax are all good choices.

By the way, how did you hook up the 20 pin PSU connector to the 24 pin connector on the current motherboard. I am suprised it even powered on.

[lancerev08]

Originally Posted by minsonngo Antec, Thermaltake, Sparkle, and Enermax are all good choices. By the way, how did you hook up the 20 pin PSU connector to the 24 pin connector on the current motherboard. I am suprised it even powered on.

In the manual, it said that the 20-pin is compliant with the ATXPWR1. They said just to leave Pin-11, 12, 23 and 24 un-connected.

I will try out a new power supply. I hope that works. This problem kind of sucks because I can't really "test" to see if it's working. Cuz it didn't really shut off at the same point every time--I can't try to induce a failure..

I'll try one of those brands. Thanks.

[minsonngo]

I'm pretty sure when you install a PSU with the 24 pin connector you will be up and running and able to enjoy your new system fully. Good luck and have fun!

[blue60007]

I would post a power supply you have picked out here first so we can double check spec/quality for you. Make sure it's 24 pin/PCIe/ATX 2.0 spec...careful with Thermaltakes' - some of them aren't up to spec. You won't go wrong with an Antec Smart power 2.0 or Truepower-II. FSP and Sparkle also have good budget choices (check the specs though)...

Rosewill PSU's are rebadged and most of the time they are absolute junk....looking at the specs on the pictures (the label on the side) it's really weak. I had an OK quality 350W that put out more real power than that...and it's not suitable spec for your build.

[lancerev08]

I ended up going with the Ultra Connect2 550W. I know it wasn't one of the ones you mentioned, but it was a really good deal at Fry's..

Here's a link (the stats are on the bottom of the page):
http://www.ultraproducts.com/product...&productID=420
(no way did i spend that price on that website. haha)

What do you think?

It definitely has 24pin/PCI-E/ATX 2.0.

The PC shut off right before I went to Fry's. I got home, installed the new PSU, and so far so good. I'll keep my PC on over night--see if anything happens.

[minsonngo]

Great glad its working so far, be sure to keep us updated. I never heard of Ultra before but maybe it is a good one (I hope so).

By the way, how much did you pick it up for?

[blue60007]

I think the newer Ultra's are decent (it's on our good list, but I think some aren't good)...it looks pretty decent, looking at the power output. Yeah, see how it holds up in the long run.

PS. Yeah, it's definitely not worth that price!

[lancerev08]

That's good to know it's on the "good list." I like how you can pick and choose what cords to put in. Keeps the box clean and not full of wires.

I got it for $60 =D

Thanks for your input minsonngo--i'll definitely keep you guys posted this next week..

[lancerev08]

I'm confident now that it was a PSU issue. Been running these past few days with no random shut offs.

Thanks guys for the help! This is a great site for noobs like me!! Mad props for everyone that helped.

[minsonngo]

Its good to see that the new PSU fixed your problem. Game On!