Computer randomly shutting off

[Aerozord]

To be clear I dont mean I get an error, or it goes into shutdown. I mean suddenly it is off like someone just pulled the plug on me. The only thing I know of that would cause that is the safety device to keep the CPU from overheating but I dont see why its happening now in colder weather when mid summer it was fine. Nor do I know how to check. Any ideas or suggestions?

[Azisien]

99% chance power supply faulty.

1% chance other stuff, get a hardware monitor like OHM or Speccy or whatever you like and see if any of your components are lethally overheating I guess. Can always scan your RAM and HDDs but I don't see how failures in either of those would cause immediate power loss. Lastly if none of these seem to fit, could be power problems in the motherboard itself.

[Aerozord]

It sounds like most of those would involve replacing parts

[synkr0nized]

It's unlikely that an all out stop that looked the same as if power was pulled / switched off is a result of a software issue. So, yeah, you're likely looking at replacing a part.

I mean, if you got a BSOD (various hardware, driver, and even software issues) or the screen locked up and forced you to reset it (possible RAM issue or maybe motherboard) or there were any audible alarms from the case (CPU reaching or crossing temperature threshold), it would probably be more straightforward. But straight up turning off? My initial guess would be to check the power supply, just as Azisien indicated.

If it's a desktop machine, you could try to unplug things from the motherboard so that it's just the motherboard and power supply and see if it will Post and let you play in BIOS, or try the supply in another computer. If it's a laptop, I am not sure what you can do to test it besides try another power brick if possible.

Sorry I am less helpful at fixing when it comes to hardware.

[Aerozord]

Not sure how to really test it. Its not like it always does it. Its completely random, I could be on for hours or minutes before it shuts off. Even if I isolated a component unless I get lucky I wouldn't be able to rule anything out for sure

[shiney]

Sounds a bit like a short circuit to me. But your best bet may be to check Windows Event Viewer and see if an error is logged prior to shutdown. Look for critical-level events to see. Also if you do have any tools to check your temperatures / motherboard I would suggest enabling them so you can rule those issues out.

Is this a desktop or a laptop? If desktop I agree with Azisien and synk that it sounds like power supply.

[Aerozord]

It is a desktop, How to I access the event viewer?

[shiney]

Just click start and under the search bar on the bottom type event.

[Aerozord]

The only critical events are it just logging that it rebooted after an improper shutdown. There are a some events logged a few minutes before it crashed saying a program had entered a stopped state.

---------- Post added at 01:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 AM ----------

I logged times better this time, nothing was going on for several minutes before it crashed. systems were update programs like flash were running on and off. I was playing minecraft too. Otherwise nothing was active.

[Raem]

I had a similar issue caused by an overheating GPU once, although I was able to determine the cause because the fan was grinding... Still though, you can try and rule it out by downloading GPU-Z and letting it run in log to file mode.

In the event of a shutdown, check the logs after a reboot and see if it correlates with a increase in CPU or GPU temp.

[Aerozord]

I had a similar issue caused by an overheating GPU once, although I was able to determine the cause because the fan was grinding... Still though, you can try and rule it out by downloading GPU-Z and letting it run in log to file mode.

In the event of a shutdown, check the logs after a reboot and see if it correlates with a increase in CPU or GPU temp.

Hmm GPU is possible, I do have alot of graphics cards issues. Things like suddenly crashing drivers.

Have a link to that program?

[Raem]

Sure.

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/

It's freely available from a number of download sites, if you prefer download.com or something else instead.

[Aerozord]

Says the GPU got up to 45c before it crashed. Whats considered acceptable range?

[shiney]

That's not even close, damage doesn't usually begin until you're well into the upper 80s or 90s Celsius. I think we can rule out the GPU overheating. It's unlikely that it's the CPU overheating too as it doesn't happen consistently during times of high load. This is sounding more and more like a power supply issue.

---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

From Tom's Hardware:

Download and run OCCT ( http://www.ocbase.com/ ) select the power supply test on your system, this will push your HDD, ram, CPU and GPU at the same time (stressing the power supply.)

There are frequency, memory, and temperature monitors to show you whats happening with your system. Run the test for 30 minutes and watch your system the whole time. If your video starts giving you artifacts/garbage, then its probably running too hot or been damaged, if you get a BSOD, then your CPU/motherboard may be damaged. If your system locks up or restarts then its probably your power supply.

[Grandmaster_Skweeb]

Before hopping on the thermal bandwagon eliminate other avenues. Test your power supply first if you have a PSU tester. If you don't then take it to a shop that can. Pretty much any place will do this for free.

Check for any shorts or bulging capacitors on the mobo.

Replace the thermal compound on the CPU. If you know how and are capable of doing so, do the same for the GPU. Generally good to do so every once in a while anyway so it can't hurt.

Make sure all connections and components are firmly seated.

Try not to run the computer unless absolutely necessary, continuous hard shutoffs will only exacerbate the problem and potentially harm other components.

I'm betting on the PSU, as randomly timed shutoffs are generally indicative of this component failing. But, again, test before jumping to conclusions.

[Aerozord]

That's not even close, damage doesn't usually begin until you're well into the upper 80s or 90s Celsius. I think we can rule out the GPU overheating. It's unlikely that it's the CPU overheating too as it doesn't happen consistently during times of high load. This is sounding more and more like a power supply issue.

---------- Post added at 05:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:28 PM ----------

From Tom's Hardware:

Download and run OCCT ( http://www.ocbase.com/ ) select the power supply test on your system, this will push your HDD, ram, CPU and GPU at the same time (stressing the power supply.)

There are frequency, memory, and temperature monitors to show you whats happening with your system. Run the test for 30 minutes and watch your system the whole time. If your video starts giving you artifacts/garbage, then its probably running too hot or been damaged, if you get a BSOD, then your CPU/motherboard may be damaged. If your system locks up or restarts then its probably your power supply.

what if nothing happens? I ran that thing for a little over half an hour and while my framerate went to single digits at times and a few sensors were running hot it didn't crash or lock up

---------- Post added at 09:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 PM ----------

some more information. THis is an issue I used to get, but haven't since I wiped my boot drive. However it started up again after I got java and started playing modded minecraft again