Hi guys really need your help!

I've got an Advent GX9000 PC, with mainly ASUS internals. It has Vista 64 loaded onto it. Basically after I moved my computer from uni back home, when I switch it on it only stays on for around 10-30 seconds depending on whats happening.

When I first load up the computer I get the BIOS splashscreen. If I do nothing the computer either switches itself off or it'll go into the menu that says computer was not shut off properly and gives options for safe mode etc.

If, when I first load up the computer, I press 'delete', then that takes me into the BIOS settings. Again, after 20-30 seconds the computer just switches off.

If I choose to go into safe mode, then it lists the files loading and it gets to some file and turns off.

I I choose load windows normally then it says windows vista is loading, then after a few seconds it'll switch off.

Does anyone know what i can do? Is the PSU faulty?

I have my dissertation in for Monday (got a 4 day extension!!!) and there are three hard drives on the computer. The C:\ has my work on it, as I luckily saved my work onto the desktop. The other two hard drives are striped so I am unsure if I move them onto another computer whether I can retreive the data or not.

What can I do? Any help is greatly appreciated. Btw I bought the computer from PC world but did not buy their extended service thingies.

Sounds like something has come loose in the move. First things first, take the side off and check the cards are all in place, and take the memory chips out and reseat them. Whilst you are in there, make sure the CPU heatsink is still atached to the processor and not lose.

Hi thanks for your reply. I checked the cards and tried pushign them all in. I checked the RAM and tried pushing them all in too. The CPU fan is still secure (was always a bit wobbly but it's always been like that).

I'd say check PSU, cooling for PSU (overheating?) and possibly if the RAM sticks are faulty or not making contact probably. Although I'd be more inclined to think PSU or cooling.

To retrieve your RAID data, you would need to use a board with the same RAID controller chip on it really. The same ASUS board really, to give yourself the best chance.

I've been in this position before, and it's a case of being able to use other spare components to try and narrow the possible causes of the problem.

Steve

Also, start by going for the bare minimum. Disconnect all drives (optical and HDD), all expansion cards - so you're left with power, CPU and RAM connected.

Boot the machine and see if it will stay running. The methodically connect one item at a time and observe...

S

Hi thanks for that. Will try disconnecting everything then and see what happens.

Watch this space!

The computer managed to load up into Windows, without me removing any cards, so that suggests that the bits are all ok. Maybe the time spent posting online allowed the components to cool down. But when I went to copy the files over from the desktop on to the USB stick the computer turned off. I'm going to try a new PSU and CPU fan tomorrow, hopefully that will work!

OK, well load it into BIOS setup and watch the section listing CPU temp etc - it's not something daft like the system shutdown overheat setting is set ridiculously low or something??

Could still be a faulty component, and its intermittently malfunctioning. I'd still go with the basic test idea, as you're really no further forward with diagnosing it. Nothing to say it's either PSU or CPU fan related at the moment.

Cheers,

Steve

have you got anything plugged into the USB ports when you're booting up?

I had a USB driver corrupt on me a few years ago that caused my computer to randomly reboot or turn off when I had something plugged into the USB port. Took me days to get it sorted - I was at the point where I was about to reinstall windows trying to fix it!

It defo sounds like its overheating... ASUS boards tend to just power off if the cpu temp gets too high..

I presume its a tower... if so put it on its side, (so everything is facing upwards ovbiously) and then just gently rock the CPU cooler to make sure its seated right.. i had the exact same thing with my PC, was a athlon XP chip and pc would just power off before booting.. it was because i had a big 3/4kg worth of copper-cooler on the cpu and the weight of it was pulling it out of contact with the CPU slightly when the pc was upright.

Hey guys thanks for all the replies! I think what's at fault is the fan for the CPU. It works fine but it's loose and you can see that it's not firmly stuck to the CPU any more for some reason. So for the sake of

I ended up getting one of those funky Zalman fans with the circular heatsink going all around it. It has a remote to control the fan speed too but i left that off so it stays full speed all the time! Computer has been on for about 15 mins so I guess its worked! Thanks for everyone's help!

Glad it's sorted mate