Computer Specs: Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9300 @ 2.50GHz 8.00 GB of RAM Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Bit SP1 Motherboard: ASUS P5Q5 Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 280 MSI PSU: Silencer 750 EPS 12V 2 500 GB Hard drives in RAID Zero Problem: I have been experiencing random computer shutdowns for about a month now. It started while I was playing any game on my system such as Flight Simulator or Star Wars The Old Republic. The shutdowns could be during the beginning of play time or towards the end. They are random. Then my computer would sometimes shutdown while I was searching the internet like Facebook or yahoo, etc. I looked into the problem a little and realized my computer could be overheating. My CPU was overheating a bit. Around 250 F at the most. I replaced my CPU cooler with a Corsair H60 Water Cooler and my CPU temp is not an issue anymore. The problem still exists and is more frequent now. I have tested my PSU, each stick of RAM, and the graphics card but can not find any issues. I have also hooked up my computer to a CyberPower UPS in case there were power fluctuations on my electrical wiring but still the same problem. When the computer does shutdown, there is no power dimming according to the lamp plugged into the computer. There is also no blue screen or any error message, it is just an instantaneous shutdown. I have changed my settings so the computer would not restart by itself like it does now but even with the setting unchecked, it still restarts. I have also brought my computer two other locations other than my home and 1 location it never shuts down no matter how hard you work it. Another location i tried, only for a short 15 minutes, but still didn't shutdown. 15 minutes is definitely long enough for it to shutdown at my house either way. I have had a computer tech look at it and he thinks its the graphics card or the motherboard. Can anyone suggest anything please?
Hi, If you have not done so already, I would start by running memtest86+ on the computer to test the ram. Let the test run for several hours to see if any errors come up. Also, I would try running the computer with just one stick of ram installed to see if any of them will not work. If it works with one stick of ram, move that stick to the next ram slot and see if it will work there to rule out a bad RAM slot on the motherboard. Do this until you have tested all the ram to rule them out. If possible, swap out the RAM with memory from a known good source to test. Ram is good at causing random reboots, crashing, and freezing and seems to be the problem usually moreso than other parts. I know you said you tested the RAM, but just want to be sure all bases are covered. Also, you can try using a different video card if possible, or if your motherboard has onboad video, use that to test instead of your current video card. Something else you can try to test is running a program called prime95 to test the cpu. It stresses the cpu making it calculate prime numbers, if it makes mistakes then that is a sign of damage (may be worth trying where you said it was getting over heated). If you have another pc, I would also try switching out the power supply to rule that out as a cause as well. When you tried the computer at the other houses, did you use the same power cord that you have at your house or did you use one that was already there? If you didnt use the same cord, it could be a bad cord (especially where you gave it constant power at your house from a UPS).
