Pc switching off (after an hour gaming period.)

[jamiephillips909]

Could you try setting your maximum processor state to 80% and game for a while and see how long it takes to shutdown?

 

[Ellie_Tay]

You've certainly done all the logical steps for different types of faults. I'm impressed with how you have stuck at this to try to fix it yourself.

My last question was just trying to understand if the current combination of hardware and programmes has ever worked without fault, or if ever since you have had this hardware set up and used these games there have been problems - even if the games worked on previous hardware configurations?

The reason being that it seems odd that the stress tests of the hardware didn't cause it fail but specific games did. Also, I know some of the earlier AMD components didn't like certain games and could cause crashes. I believe that these issues got fixed in BIOS updates, but I don't know enough about BIOS to advise what to do (and BIOS is best left alone if you don't know what you're doing!).

Also, I know that some overclocking can seemingly work on most applications, but can be unstable for particular scenarios, e.g. specific games. This can - in extreme - cause shutdowns. I believe that most overclocking is done in BIOS settings, so again, I'll leave advice around that to someone else. Even if you haven't done overclocking yourself, it might be that it was set up that way. E.g. RAM is set to 2133 MHz by default and anything over this is considered overclocking, so if you bought RAM at 3000 MHz and PCS set it to run at that speed so that you get what you paid for, it would be within its design limits but it would still be considered overclocking.

I am very persistent with fixing things, especially my pc. I like to learn more where I can

I have been running the same hardware for around 10 months. The main games I play now are the same as then. I did some research into BIOS updating back when the machine arrived, I would certainly need to refresh my memory on the subject if I were to repeat the process. I did update the BIOS. I also searched it for overclocking and restored the settings to 'default' upon hitting these problems.

My RAM cards were bought separately from the initial build and should be able to achieve 3600 MHz. When I initially had the PC, I did raise the setting to 3200 before dropping it to 3000 as safety precaution. But as I say, this has been set to 'default' for the purpose of troubleshooting. No further overclocking was done.

 

[SpyderTracks]

I have been running the same hardware for around 10 months. The main games I play now are the same as then.

Was the issue present when you got the system?

I did update the BIOS.

Again, was the issue present before you updated the BIOS?

 

[Ellie_Tay]

Was the issue present when you got the system?


Again, was the issue present before you updated the BIOS?

To my knowledge, the issue hasn't been present.
I did have a problem a long time ago that was resolved by lowering the overclock on the RAM.

No issues have been present for around 8 months or so after I made the changes, seems to have surfaced under no obvious cause



EDIT: After viewing an older forum post I made in September of last year, I did mention the pc shutting off during gaming and reboot attempts. This has long since been resolved. As I say, this was last September.

I now wonder if there was always a fault with the board or if I need to look at updating BIOS? perhaps a further update would resolve this issue. I don't doubt my abilities in updating the BIOS previously, I am always confident in what I do following research and tutorials.

 

[SpyderTracks]

To my knowledge, the issue hasn't been present.
I did have a problem a long time ago that was resolved by lowering the overclock on the RAM.

No issues have been present for around 8 months or so after I made the changes, seems to have surfaced under no obvious cause



EDIT: After viewing an older forum post I made in September of last year, I did mention the pc shutting off during gaming and reboot attempts. This has long since been resolved. As I say, this was last September.

I now wonder if there was always a fault with the board or if I need to look at updating BIOS? perhaps a further update would resolve this issue. I don't doubt my abilities in updating the BIOS previously, I am always confident in what I do following research and tutorials.

I would contact PCS and ask them to take you through a BIOS update. A lot of fixes have been rolled out that were quite major for both USB connectivity and processor support since last September which may well be contributing to this.

You need to liaise with PCS on BIOS updates to retain warranty.

 

[Ellie_Tay]

It's been a long time since I last updated this thread but I intend to eventually update the cause of the problem so that others may also find what the issue was, if they have the same issue.

Pc Specialist Update:
I called PCS, after talking to 3 members of staff on different occasions, explaining the situation and waiting for a responses over the course of a few weeks I was informed yet again that staff would be in touch soon about the issue. This unfortunately went on for so long that my warranty was up so, I can't say PCS are particularly good with their RMA or handling issues passed troubleshooting. Having said that, they couldn't find the issue either, despite having remote access to my system and walking me through things (Understandably it is difficult to diagnose an issue remotely.)
On the second to last day of my warranty I called them and asked about RMA but, their timescale for returns was unreasonable. I was also informed that given the nature of the problem, there was no guarantee they would be able to repair it or replace necessary components before returning it to me

Issue update:
I have now also tested fans and the pin connectors on the board in an attempt to determine if there was any issues with the fans or connection points, this was unsuccessful, the problem yet persists.
I've also added a new cpu cooler to the system and applied new thermal paste on install. This also, did not fix the problem.

 

[TonyCarter]

Your first line implies you've got a solution, but the rest seems to say you haven't.

If I'm understanding this correctly, you've not had a working PC for months because it was broken and you didn't want to want to send it back on RMA in case it took months to fix?

 

[Ellie_Tay]

Your first line implies you've got a solution, but the rest seems to say you haven't.

If I'm understanding this correctly, you've not had a working PC for months because it was broken and you didn't want to want to send it back on RMA in case it took months to fix?

My pc is functional on the basis that I take the side panel off and it occasionally requires me to use a room fan to ensure it stays cool when the room is hot, for example, during hot weather.
I can use my pc in the mean time, what I am looking for is a fix to whatever the issue is. It seems to be heat related but I am checking boxes till I get to the bottom of the issue.

And in response to the question of RMA, as I've explained, it will take several weeks to return to me and even then it's not guaranteed to be solved before returning to me. This is because PC Specialist will see it up and running for 30m before confirming it functions correctly.

I am in a better position to fix this issue by doing research & testing different areas until I do find the problem. So please, try not to make it sound like I'm making irrational decisions.

 

[TonyCarter]

I understand now!

 

[Bhuna50]

Sorry but not read the entire thread but are you monitoring your temperatures to see how high they get when the PC then resets itself.

Have you tried repasting?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Let's take this right back to square one.

Can you describe the process of a clean windows install?

Where do you source your drivers?

Have you manually installed latest Chipset after windows install?

Have you monitored Temps under load?

Which BIOS version are you on?

 

[Ellie_Tay]

Solved: Motherboard replacement

Further details: After all my testing and so on, it was definitely a temperature based issue, it would only occur during periods my room was hot or if the case had all panels attached. It has been two days of continued use with the side panel on, a reasonably hot room and running up to two games at once (of high demand) for extended periods.
I can only assume that a part of my board was overheating for some reason, most likely the area near input/output devices as that seemed to be generating a lot of heat when I was checking. I still believe it was the motherboard having heat issues because it has been the only part replacement since the problem has stopped occurring.


Performed tests, checks, and replacements for those interested:

Using software for checks:
Storage devices (for unhealthy sections)
Ram sticks (x2) (for unhealthy sections)
Valley benchmark tool (Stress testing)
AIDA 64 (Stress testing)
HWInfo (temperature checks)
Open hardware monitor (used to control fans to check speed functionality)
Updated motherboard BIOS

Hardware replacements/tests:
RAM (checking connection etc)
CPU cooler (for possible temps issues)
PSU & all power cables (the usual suspect for power cuts)
GPU
Additional fans (total of 5 to drop temperature in case)
Unplugged unnecessary input/output devices (Best to run a minimal input/output test to check those devices)
Reconnected all motherboard components/connections + checked motherboard manual for checks.
Motherboard replaced

Hopefully this can be of some help to someone as a checklist or perhaps those who are monitoring and helping people with their issues on these forums.

Thank you to everyone who has given advice or time to read about this issue and helping me along with possible troubleshooting methods.

 

[B Poot]

I'm really glad that you were able to solve it - you have certainly earnt a working computer!

Some of these hardware issues can be really hard to diagnose. It could have been as simple as an electrostatic discharge during install, or when connecting something to an input/output port, weakened one of the electrical components on the board, e.g. a smoothing capacitor. Essentially a 'latent failure'. This might not cause a complete failure, but could affect the electrical properties to the point where it is short circuiting (or similar) when warmed up. Gamers Nexus did quite a good explanatory video on this kind of thing (see below) and why they are one of the worst kinds of failures (because they are hard to detect/diagnose).

Regardless of what it was, well done on all your hardwork investigating, diagnosing and fixing the problem. Happy gaming - you deserve it!