Windows 7 Reinstall - Random Blackouts/Shutdowns

[SunBreeze]

Hey,
I've worked on a clients desktop a few months ago and ever since then they have been letting me know about random shutdowns ever since I re-installed Windows for them due to a bunch of crapware etc.

It wasn't doing it before the reinstall and happens at random times, in the event log I'm getting a kernel power error.

I installed the drivers from the CD at first and have since tried un-installing them and trying drivers off Intel's website.

I have also opened substantial amounts of applications and ran some intensive programs but I could not get it to crash. It also is not overheating. The only time I've seen it crash is when I was using it a bit after we completed the install.

Any ideas?

 

[Markverhyden]

Are these actual shutdowns or reboots?

 

[SunBreeze]

Sorry, should have mentioned that. Instant force shutdowns.

 

[gikstar]

At this point I would start from the outside in... check the power in the wall of the clients location, the surge protector and/or UPS unit. I think that is where the problem is.

I had a client who was working out of his sister's house. Determined that this old house had problems in the wiring. Seems like when the refrigerator would cycle on he would loose power to the computer. Since he is not in a position to move at the moment, I've had to downgrade his equipment so he could work at home. Even the 1500VA ups would not work because it couldn't get enough juice.

 

[Markverhyden]

I agree with gikstar. Start outside the box. Check all of the legs on the power outlet. It's rare but I have had homes where the grounding strap for the house is corroded. They ran a extension cord from a neighbor and had no problems with the equipment. Also try other locations in the site. I guessing the correlation to the re-install is coincidental.

 

[SunBreeze]

At this point I would start from the outside in... check the power in the wall of the clients location, the surge protector and/or UPS unit. I think that is where the problem is.

I had a client who was working out of his sister's house. Determined that this old house had problems in the wiring. Seems like when the refrigerator would cycle on he would loose power to the computer. Since he is not in a position to move at the moment, I've had to downgrade his equipment so he could work at home. Even the 1500VA ups would not work because it couldn't get enough juice.

She has gotten an electrician in to check her power outlets and he has said they're fine. I've assumed they're not that because it's only started after the Windows re-install. I've cleaned out the system internally as well.

I agree with gikstar. Start outside the box. Check all of the legs on the power outlet. It's rare but I have had homes where the grounding strap for the house is corroded. They ran a extension cord from a neighbor and had no problems with the equipment. Also try other locations in the site. I guessing the correlation to the re-install is coincidental.

It did strike to me as being strange when it wouldn't turn off at my work bench even after I left it run for several hours with doing tasks a lot more process intensive then she would ever do. But then again, I couldn't really emulate her (she checks emails, does Publisher work etc).
It seems like a horribly strange coincidence that it would only start to happen when I did an on-site Windows re-install.

 

[Eagle21]

It seems like a horribly strange coincidence that it would only start to happen when I did an on-site Windows re-install.

Coincidences are often horribly strange! It is easy to a draw an incorrect conclusion from a spurious relationship.

You could always forget about the coincidences and start doing some hardware diagnostics.

In general, for some customers it is always a strange coincidence that their next problem occurs after you fixed their last problem. Therefore the problem must be related to something that you did, and unrelated to anything they have done.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Especially if the PC is a couple years old, check caps on motherboard for leaking and or bulging. If those look fine I'd consider a higher quality power supply. Seems like a lot of consumer grade PCs are built with iffy power supplies to begin with. Get a nice storm or some dust, and pop.

Also may not be a bad idea to run a quick diagnostic on the hard drive.

 

[SunBreeze]

Coincidences are often horribly strange! It is easy to a draw an incorrect conclusion from a spurious relationship.

You could always forget about the coincidences and start doing some hardware diagnostics.

In general, for some customers it is always a strange coincidence that their next problem occurs after you fixed their last problem. Therefore the problem must be related to something that you did, and unrelated to anything they have done.

I already have.
PSU is fine, HDD is fine (I know, a SMART test isn't too reliable), MB is fine (from what I can see, no busted caps etc), and it only started after I re-installed. The first one happened while I was there, could it possibly be a driver issue?

The board is an Intel® Desktop Board DG41TY

 

[gikstar]

If you can find nothing, then how about putting the computer back in place at their location and using F8, turn off automatic restart so that it will not reboot... then have them contact you with the error code that shows up.

 

[SunBreeze]

If you can find nothing, then how about putting the computer back in place at their location and using F8, turn off automatic restart so that it will not reboot... then have them contact you with the error code that shows up.

There is not automatic reboot, no blue flashes etc. Everything just powers off. Like you flick it off at the switch. Then a few seconds later it will reboot, it is registered as kernel power loss.

 

[Markverhyden]

What is the setting in BIOS for action after loss of power? Try changing it to the other value.

 

[SunBreeze]

What is the setting in BIOS for action after loss of power? Try changing it to the other value.

Sorry for the late response, only just got the system back off the client as they needed it. The BIOS has "After Power Failure" set to "Stay off".

 

[JustInspired]

Has it been tested with a known good PSU? I don't trust PSU 'testers' and even PSUs tested for good voltages while they are on, can have intermittent faults.

Also, unplug the power and reset (if there is one) switches just in case one of them is getting stuck.

You can power the board on by momentarily bridging the power switch pins. Even better, plug in a loose power switch that you have salvaged from an old case; just to eliminate that possibility.

Also check USB ports etc for any damage and momentary shorts.

In fact, get that board out, plug in a known good PSU and run it with nothing unnecessary plugged in and work from there.

 

[SunBreeze]

Has it been tested with a known good PSU? I don't trust PSU 'testers' and even PSUs tested for good voltages while they are on, can have intermittent faults.

Also, unplug the power and reset (if there is one) switches just in case one of them is getting stuck.

You can power the board on by momentarily bridging the power switch pins. Even better, plug in a loose power switch that you have salvaged from an old case; just to eliminate that possibility.

Also check USB ports etc for any damage and momentary shorts.

In fact, get that board out, plug in a known good PSU and run it with nothing unnecessary plugged in and work from there.

Problem is, I can't even get it to turn off!

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

You are getting sleepy...

When you wake up you will never refer to a power off as a shutdown or instant shutdown.

 

[SunBreeze]

You are getting sleepy...

When you wake up you will never refer to a power off as a shutdown or instant shutdown.

It is 1:37am, but that's still no excuse for calling it that earlier. Lesson learned.
In the mean time, I've left it running tonight playing videos and running a few applications (Publisher, Chrome, Live Mail, Windows Games etc).
I think it may just be her power cable…