Crap! I need some hardware computer support.

Last night, my computer just started wigging out. It restarted and then would shut down repeatdly after 3 seconds. The fans would spin and the it would resart again. It does this until I turn off the power. Do you guys have any idea what it could be and where I start troubleshooting? I'm guessing its a motherboard or internal issue as it seems its not even getting to the bios. TIA

 

I don't know this word in english but can try to start it with another

 

Any sounds (bips) from the internal speaker? These are many times a good indicator of what's happening.

 

Can you hear such within 3 seconds?

 

Try resetting the bios, you will have to open the PC up and change one of the jumpers then restart your PC and then put the jumper back and restart again...

 

Replace your power supply.

 

What brand cpu? Power supply is a good possibility, or possibly your heatsink/cpu fan has failed causing an overheat issue and your mobo's bios to shut down the computer to save your cpu.

There are lots of reasons that could cause this but I would start and cleaning the internals if it's dusty, checking the heatsink/cpu fan and power supply.

 

I have many years of computer repair under my belt. The above statement is the first thing you do. Replace the power supply with a higher wattage and see if that helps. If not reset BIOS. After that, strip down the system, and ad one component at a time. start with the floppy drive. Test each as you add.

I can not tell you how many times a bad power supply was to cause of all problems.

That will be $5 bucks

Elray

 

Thank god for resetting the bios that's saved me on more than a few occassions Stripping the components and readding them is a good idea, also checking though to make sure all cards, memory, etc are in good and solid first though is what I do before I strip the system. If a vid card, stick of ram, etc got moved out of it's socket a bit it can cause this to.

Would like to hear what type of system he's got, may help us help him

Powersupply failure sucks, why I recommend to anyone picking up a spare to have on hand just incase.

 

Move to montana, forgo all your worldly posessions and script an anti-technology manifesto. The are other steps, but I don't want to advise of them here.

If that does not work, then follow the good advice provided above.

 

I've got a HP Pavillion (2.4ghz). I'll clean it out and see if I can pick up a power supply from best buy (I might have one lying around here). Well go one step at a time. Thanks a ton guys.

The computer runs 24/7 would that provide any clue?

 

Installed a new power supply ($70 dollars later), same problem but I noticed the cpu fan isn't spinning. We'll replace that tonight and see if thats the cause.

 

shitt.. you could have borrow one from a friend or something..

 

Over heating, had a feeling on that one Did you try cleaning the fan, some of them you can also lube.

 

Hardware check: Dust it out! Get an air compressor (LOW SETTING), go outside and dust the darn thing out. (Those lil' cans of compressed air don't do much.)

Software Check: Then, check for spyware (Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware). If those don't cut it, maybe SpySweeper ($30) at store. Then, virus scan. AVG is a good free one. Solo antivirus works too. You can download a lot of these programs from download.com.

Get new heat sink goop (um... can't think of word)....

 

I personally use a vacuum with a soft brush

I believe he said it doesn't even make it past bios so don't believe this could be it

Thermal Grease

 

Ever get your system up and running Mizt?

 

Indeed, I unplug everything and and put it back together. I switched my cpu fans cable (where it connected on the motherboard) and it started up. hopefully it stays running. =) Thanks a ton for the help. Greenie given

 

Glad to hear it

 

Hey, that's awesome mitz! I wouldn't know what I'd do without my computer.