E macHines E4252..KEEPS SUTTING DOWN

[david248005]

Hi
I've got a strange problem here. The above machine keeps switching off when it enters the graphical stage of windows. 3 seconds in and off it goes. I've tried reinstalling windows and the same happens. Copies setup files but shuts down on graphical stage. Tried UBCDWIN Boot disk and the same. Tried Hiren's off a flash drive and the same. I can stay in text mode all day with no problem. i suspected graphics card so replaced it with a known good one, Ive memtested the ram and ok. I've swapped the ram. Tried both slots, ran every bench test imaginable on cpu, graphics, hard drive etc and it all passes. Ckecked the voltage on the psu and fine. the only things Ive not substituted are the cpu and psu only 'cos I don't have one to hand.

Any ideas guys?

 

[joydivision]

I don't want to sound rude BUT. I hope you didn't charge for this. You have reinstalled windows and overlooked the most obvious bloody thing. When it did the same in Linux (credit for trying that) that was the clue.

Have a look at the capacitors on the graphics card you will probably find they are leaking.

If it is onboard video try a video card.

 

[ell]

I had one like that this week, I just took out the cmos battery for a bit, then it would boot to safe mode without restarting. I updated the video & audio drivers.

 

[joydivision]

Edit just realised he uses UBCD4WIn and not Linux. Although that would use its only drivers anyway. I still think this is a graphics card issue, when a graphics card goes into graphics mode it will consume more power, if the capacitors on it are failing it would do as you describe as the video chip does not get enough power to it.

I was a bit rude about the not charging bit, sorry. It has just been one of them days for people saying I reinstalled windows but it still aint workin' init.

 

[numnutz]

i'm guessing if you reinstalled windows it was not crashing during that? at what point did it start crashing after the reinstall? after you updated the video driver?

 

[desert_gold_hound]

I don't think its a driver problem because it would be different drivers in the other OS's.

I do agree to look at the caps.

My other thought would be heat problems. When you go into the video mode it uses a lot of power and this power translates into heat. If your overheating it will cause it too restart. so check that your video card (GPU) and/or CPU are not overheating.

The other thought is with the power supply. Again when it goes into graphics it uses much more wattage and this could cause the power supply to shut down. A bad power supply can lead to other problems also.

I just had a Compaq that had a bad power supply that would work unless you bumped the computer then IT would start beeping tell you unplugged it (Not checking for shorts as I have lots of spares). It would also do this if you opened graphics intense games. I tested it with all working but the -5. I have had Power supplies take out MB's, and cause all kinds of weird problems.

 

[david248005]

Hi
As I said, I swapped the graphics card with known good one and it doesn't work so it's not that. I also tried the onboard graphics. I also said I TRIED to reinstall Windows and it shut down at the graphical stage. This was a computer I got as a trade in so I was planning to nuke and pave anyway.

I tend to agree with desert gold hound as it makes sense the graphics drawing more power so I'll get a new one today and report back.

Cheers

 

[joydivision]

Sorry I missed that you had already swapped the graphics card.

Could you give us more details, what power supply and what graphics cards have you tried?

What is the full spec of the system including motherboard?

I am wondering if the fault could be the graphics port on the board itself.

From my vague memory I do once remember a faulty CPU causing a similar fault, but it must be very very unusual.

 

[david248005]

Well just put a new 400W power supply in and still exactly the same. Just shuts down at graphical stage of setup.
Swapped with 2 different graphics card. The mobo is MCP61SM-GM which after a lot of googling seems to be the weak link of the system. Chip is Athlon 64 4000+ Don't have a suitable cpu to swap out but I'm leaning towards the mobo now. I saw this machine working the last time it was switched on but I've had it in the boot of my car for a few days so maybe damaged it somehow

 

[joydivision]

Have you checked the condition of the capacitors on the motherboard?

 

[Appleby]

When I hear of strange problems like that on E-Machines, I go straight to the motherboard. I've had so many bad ones come through my little shop that it's silly.

To be honest, you have tracked down everything except the motherboard. I don't see what else it could be?

 

[david248005]

Have you checked the condition of the capacitors on the motherboard?

Yep checked them all and they look fine

 

[gazza]

Have you checked the hard drive, swap the drive out and try it.

 

[desert_gold_hound]

Have you checked the hard drive, swap the drive out and try it.

I tend to agree with this at this time. I would try the HD before MB swap. Keep us informed as some are interested in the outcome.

Also check the power supply to make sure its not bestec brand if it is you can count on it already having cooked up your MB. They test fine on a tester and will even boot up another MB but it will fry them sooner or later. I have seen this and if you search the web there is information all over it on this power supply. I didn't think about this until I was searching your model and it came up else ware.

 

[david248005]

Tried the hard drive no difference. I've got new mobo on order so will post when installed.
Yep it is a bestec power supply so I will be replacing that along with the mobo

 

[david248005]

UPDATE

New motherboard fitted today with origuinal Bestec PSU and all ok.
I've substituted the PSU with a new one tho just to be on the safe side.
Thanks for all the help and advice

 

[Kitten Kong]

Ive just got in the same model desktop with the identical issues you faced.

Same board, same psu.

Changed psu, swapped ram, cpu, added pcie gcard, mobo caps check ok, exact same thing.

Looks like E-Machines fouled up when they built this machine.

New board and psu will be next on the list.

 

[david248005]

A new motherboard fixed it for me

 

[waldo194567]

A new motherboard fixed it for me

I've got the same model desktop with the identical issues you have.
It is a repair for a lady friend and she has become attached to the thing!
The case looks nice with her setup. She says.
You say new motherboard fixed it, where did you manage to buy it, have tried
for ages to find one , i would even replace with an upgraded M/B if i knew what was required.
This is the field i am am at now. I have replaced and refitted existing and used
m/b before but only like for like.

 

[compnet]

if i knew what was required.

It's pretty much rocket science to figure out. You should just put the same awesome emachines board in.. oh and matching up voltage on a p/s is pretty tough, you should just stick with bestec.