(Delete) PC shutting off and cannot troubleshoot the cause.

[Kaos Wulf]

I built a new PC back in June, and since day one it's been shutting off on me. Doesn't matter what I'm doing, it happens when playing games or when idle; it just has to be on for several hours for it to occur. I've monitor temperatures and everything is normal. Now for the story outlining what I've done on my own to try and solve this issue:

 

First, I checked for any sleep settings that may have been enabled, only my screens are set to sleep after 20 minutes. Then I bought myself an UPS, figuring since this summer has been especially hot, that I was getting brownouts. The UPS had a 'wiring fault' indicator lit on the back of the unit showing something was either reversed or not properly grounded. I called an electrician to sort out a grounding issue in-home, and that light is no longer lit. Days went by without a problem, until the PC still shut off once again.

 

Next, I took it to the service department where I bought most of my parts. There it stayed for days running benchmarks to tax the system, never once shutting off. They were never able to replicate the issue. I spoke with the supervisor to see what we could do to troubleshoot it, and we were unable to come up with anything definite. The only thing different in my setup compared to theirs, is that I run dual-screen and HDMI through my main monitor, and that's it.

 

The only insight into this issue, is that the event logs show "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly." and "The previous system shutdown at (time and date stamp) was unexpected." This has been one expensive and nerve-wracking experience, and would greatly appreciate if anyone could provide me with something I can do to finally address the problem.

 

My specs are the following just in case;

ASUS Maximus VII Hero Z97 Motherboard 

i7-4790k CPU cooled with a Corsair H100iGTX

EVGA GTX 980 Ti GPU

Corsair Vengeance 16GB RAM

Samsung 250GB SSD

WD Black 1TB HDD

Corsair HX1050 PSU

Windows 8.1

[Tepi]

That sounds similar to what I had once when I upgraded a gpu and old psu didn't have enough amperage for 12V rail. But your psu should have that one handled...

 

When you had the pc in store was it running at 100% load all the time? Because your psu could still be faulty, it just might not show any symptoms at full load.

Could it be your apartments electricity or something? If possible you could try to run it at someone elses place to see if it would do it there as well?

 

Mostly guessing here so... take what you will

[Kaos Wulf]

With my PC hooked up to an UPS, I should be fine from electricity problems. I unplugged it from the wall to test, and my PC stayed on. Had a couple thunderstorms shut off the power and it stayed on. The UPS does what it's supposed to by providing battery backup and regulating incoming electricity. The electrician checked all of that, and so did the power company. Has to be something with the PC.

 

The PSU was definitely not working at full load, because with a 1050w, I could be running 3 980Tis. Someone who had this issue told me it stopped when he updated to Windows 10, because of some driver issue for all I know. This however, seems highly unlikely.

[bjornk]

1. The first thing you should do is to try using the PC with another OS (could be another Windows or Linux, perhaps a live one) without installing any driver software.

    

2. You may also want to check the power cables connected to your motherboard (and other devices). Make sure they are all firmly attached.

    

3. If the above doesn't help, then remove all hard drives and disconnect everything including the graphics card and all peripherals. Leave only the PSU and the motherboard (including RAM, CPU w/cooler) connected to it. You may even remove them from the case. Turn on the PC and see if it randomly shuts off again. And then put together the PC one component at a time and test it with each component you've added, out of the case. I'm afraid there really isn't any other way to do it.

    

4. If the PC still keeps shutting off even with minimal hardware, then start double checking your motherboard configuration and also BIOS/UEFI configuration.

    

5. If nothing works then try re-installing your RAM and CPU and the cooler.

    

6. Still keeps shutting off then try it with another PSU.

    

7. Still keeps shutting off then your motherboard is probably faulty. A faulty CPU is less likely.

 

 

 

[swmas]

Maybe you have the pc too close to a wall or something and the air doesn't get blown out by the fan and it overheats.

[Kaos Wulf]

The first thing you should do is to try using the PC with another OS (could be another Windows or Linux, perhaps a live one) without installing any driver software.

 

If that doesn't help, then remove all hard drives and disconnect everything including the graphics card and all peripherals. Leave only the PSU and the motherboard (including RAM, CPU w/cooler) connected to it. You may even remove them from the case. Turn on the PC and see if it randomly shuts off again. And then put together the PC one component at a time and test it with each component you've added, out of the case. I'm afraid there really isn't any other way to do it.

 

You may also want to check the power cables connected to your motherboard (and other devices). Make sure they are all firmly attached.

I was considering updating to Win 10 out of desperation. The second option is certainly not preferable, but if it has to be done...

 

Maybe you have the pc too close to a wall or something and the air doesn't get blown out by the fan and it overheats.

I have software to monitor temperatures, and everything stays at an optimal level. I also use MSI afterburner to control the GPU fans.

[bjornk]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10. At least not yet. Actually, I'd recommend downgrading to Windows 7.

 

Have you searched the Net for reported problems addressing the same issue, especially with Windows 8/8.1? Like this one for instance?

 

The only insight into this issue, is that the event logs show "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly." and "The previous system shutdown at (time and date stamp) was unexpected."

I've had this issue myself with my 8.1 PC (with an Asus mobo) and I would get this message even when I turned off Windows myself. It may not be related to the issue you're having. Try turning off Fast Startup (somewhere in the power options).

[swmas]

There is no other explanation, if you say it worked when it was at the service, other than your UPS and dual monitors. Try going a day without them and see if it works.

[Kaos Wulf]

Do not upgrade to Windows 10. At least not yet. Actually, I'd recommend downgrading to Windows 7.

 

Have you searched the Net for reported problems addressing the same issue, especially with Windows 8/8.1? Like this one for instance?

 

The only insight into this issue, is that the event logs show "The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly." and "The previous system shutdown at (time and date stamp) was unexpected."

I've had this issue myself with my 8.1 PC (with an Asus mobo) and I would get this message even when I turned off Windows myself. It may not be related to the issue you're having. Try turning off Fast Startup (somewhere in the power options).

 

Been skimming through that thread, and a lot of people are saying it's a Windows 8.1 issue. Also, I don't have a Fast Startup in my power options (looked at screenshots showing where it should be).

[bjornk]

Been skimming through that thread, and a lot of people are saying it's a Windows 8.1 issue.

It may very well be.

 

Also, I don't have a Fast Startup in my power options (looked at screenshots showing where it should be).

Is Hibernate enabled?

 

If the Turn on fast startup setting is not listed, then you will need to close the System Settings window, enable hibernate, then start back at step 1 again.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

 

The only thing different in my setup compared to theirs, is that I run dual-screen and HDMI through my main monitor, and that's it.

Try using a single monitor and a connection other than HDMI and test this with both monitors.

[swmas]

It still don't explain why it worked at the service department. Take note on what you were doing when it shuts down and see if you can reproduce it.

[bjornk]

Take note on what you were doing when it shuts down and see if you can reproduce it.

Doesn't matter what I'm doing, it happens when playing games or when idle; it just has to be on for several hours for it to occur.

[swmas]

 

Take note on what you were doing when it shuts down and see if you can reproduce it.

Doesn't matter what I'm doing, it happens when playing games or when idle; it just has to be on for several hours for it to occur.

 

So time is a factor then. Go from there, why would a computer shut down after some time? See how much time it takes exactly till the pc shuts down, that may be a clue my dear Watson.

[Kaos Wulf]

 

Been skimming through that thread, and a lot of people are saying it's a Windows 8.1 issue.

It may very well be.

 

Also, I don't have a Fast Startup in my power options (looked at screenshots showing where it should be).

Is Hibernate enabled?

 

If the Turn on fast startup setting is not listed, then you will need to close the System Settings window, enable hibernate, then start back at step 1 again.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

 

The only thing different in my setup compared to theirs, is that I run dual-screen and HDMI through my main monitor, and that's it.

Try using a single monitor and a connection other than HDMI and test this with both monitors.

 

 

I turned off Fast Startup. Thanks for the link to the thread explaining how to get that option to show.

 

Still though, swmas is right, this doesn't explain why it never shut off while in the shop.

[pringles89]

just curious, what do you consider optimal temperature range for your card?

 

a long time ago, i had an evga 8800 gts card that ran at least 80-90 deg C when gaming if i remember right, and after a few hours my computer would shut down.   you might try lightening the load on the gpu by trying with a single monitor setup or a smaller monitor at a lower resolution and see if it makes a difference.  Or if you have a spare GPU or can borrow one to test if it shows the same behavior.

[Kaos Wulf]

just curious, what do you consider optimal temperature range for your card?

 

a long time ago, i had an evga 8800 gts card that ran at least 80-90 deg C when gaming if i remember right, and after a few hours my computer would shut down.   you might try lightening the load on the gpu by trying with a single monitor setup or a smaller monitor at a lower resolution and see if it makes a difference.  Or if you have a spare GPU or can borrow one to test if it shows the same behavior.

For a 980Ti, it's about ~85°C under load. When idle, it hovers around 50°C

 

Used my PC this morning, and nothing has changed; turned off after a couple hours.

[Slorm]

Not sure if this will be of any help but I had a similar problem with an Asus X99-S about six months after I built this pc, I use a UPS as well.

 

I missed the mobo message a couple of times on the restart as I wasn't expecting it, when I did notice it, it was reporting the board had shut down due to detecting over voltages.

 

I checked the UPS and that was fine and as it turned out the problem was a faulty PSU which I had to return to Corsair. Once I replaced it I've not had a problem since. For reference the PSU was a Corsair RM850.

 

 

 

 

[pringles89]

https://boinc.berkeley.edu/dev/forum_thread.php?id=9288

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2669091/980-temp-question.html

http://www.overclockers.com/evga-gtx-980-ti-classified-graphics-card-review/

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti,4164-8.html

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-980-ti/specifications(couldn't find evga version)

 

based on the research i've done online and personal experience with nvidia/evga card, i think it is the gpu causing the issue.  even though ~85°C under load is lower than the max temp of 92°C and you are not running it for the full time under load, the card may be shutting itself off after several hours to prevent damage since it is getting close to the max temp. 

 

running dual monitor at high resolutions with a game like skyrim using enb may put a heavier strain on the gpu compared to benchmark they used, which may be the difference with the store testing.

 

are you overclocking with msi afterburner and what are your GPU fan settings? are you using a profile to increase fan speed as temp goes up?  you could try a manual setting of 100% gpu fan speed to see if it makes a difference.

[Kaos Wulf]

https://boinc.berkeley.edu/dev/forum_thread.php?id=9288

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2669091/980-temp-question.html

http://www.overclockers.com/evga-gtx-980-ti-classified-graphics-card-review/

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti,4164-8.html

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-980-ti/specifications(couldn't find evga version)

 

based on the research i've done online and personal experience with nvidia/evga card, i think it is the gpu causing the issue.  even though ~85°C under load is lower than the max temp of 92°C and you are not running it for the full time under load, the card may be shutting itself off after several hours to prevent damage since it is getting close to the max temp. 

 

running dual monitor at high resolutions with a game like skyrim using enb may put a heavier strain on the gpu compared to benchmark they used, which may be the difference with the store testing.

 

are you overclocking with msi afterburner and what are your GPU fan settings? are you using a profile to increase fan speed as temp goes up?  you could try a manual setting of 100% gpu fan speed to see if it makes a difference.

I don't run games using both monitors, I have it for convenience for when I'm doing work. I don't overclock the GPU, since it has performed fine for other games at 4k (Skyrim stays at 1080), and I use a fan profile I copied when I did some research into it.

[Imperfection]

That sounds similar to what I had once when I upgraded a gpu and old psu didn't have enough amperage for 12V rail. But your psu should have that one handled...

 

When you had the pc in store was it running at 100% load all the time? Because your psu could still be faulty, it just might not show any symptoms at full load.

Could it be your apartments electricity or something? If possible you could try to run it at someone elses place to see if it would do it there as well?

 

Mostly guessing here so... take what you will

 

Just my 2 cents as I think what Tepi posted is your issue, I had this exact same problem under Windows 7 when I upgraded my MOBO and CPu, the PSU I had was not supplying enough amperage (not wattage) on the 12V rail for the EVGA card. My system would run for days without problem, then reboot whenever it felt like it, load or no load.

 

In the EVGA box is a sheet with the specific amperage required for your card. I could not find this on EVGA's site just raw wattage required which only covers part of the requirements, why they don't post the individual rail requirements is beyond me.

 

With my PC hooked up to an UPS, I should be fine from electricity problems. I unplugged it from the wall to test, and my PC stayed on. Had a couple thunderstorms shut off the power and it stayed on. The UPS does what it's supposed to by providing battery backup and regulating incoming electricity. The electrician checked all of that, and so did the power company. Has to be something with the PC.

 

The PSU was definitely not working at full load, because with a 1050w, I could be running 3 980Tis. Someone who had this issue told me it stopped when he updated to Windows 10, because of some driver issue for all I know. This however, seems highly unlikely.

 

The UPS could be your problem as well if it does not support an active PFC power supply, when the UPS switches to battery even for a split millisecond the system will power off or reboot.

 

Just because you have 1050 watts does not mean you can run 3 980ti's if the rail amperage under load is not sufficient, or weak or fluctuates. In my experience temperature issues also do not lead to reboot but CTD the game or application instead.

 

If the above both check out then you have bad hardware and need to start swapping components.

[Kaos Wulf]

 

Just my 2 cents as I think what Tepi posted is your issue, I had this exact same problem under Windows 7 when I upgraded my MOBO and CPu, the PSU I had was not supplying enough amperage (not wattage) on the 12V rail for the EVGA card. My system would run for days without problem, then reboot whenever it felt like it, load or no load.

 

The UPS could be your problem as well if it does not support an active PFC power supply, when the UPS switches to battery even for a split millisecond the system will power off or reboot.

Taken from MSI article:

GeForce GTX 980ti - 38A and a 600W PSU minimum, my PSU provides 87.5A on the +12v.

 

As for the UPS, my PC was shutting off before I even bought it. Though, the PFC thing you mentioned could still be a factor and I'm looking into it now.

[Imperfection]

Sorry I was under the impression you has an EVGA card not MSI, probably the same spec but better to verify with EVGA. Does you motherboard bios report proper voltages on each rail? The amp issue from my experience does not make the system shut off it makes it reboot, so is your shutting off or rebooting? You say both but not sure you mean both.

 

If problem occurred before adding UPS to mix then probably not related then, that issues usually makes system reboot not shut off. You will have to start replacing components to isolate issue or use another hard drive with windows 7 installed if you think it windows 8.x related but I doubt it. If you bought from system builder then take back and make them start swapping components.

 

Have you tested your ram?

 

If you say it will happen after couple hours during idle then boot into safe mode command prompt only and see if it happens. If it does then my bet is still on bad hardware.

[Kaos Wulf]

Sorry I was under the impression you has an EVGA card not MSI, probably the same spec but better to verify with EVGA. Does you motherboard bios report proper voltages on each rail? The amp issue from my experience does not make the system shut off it makes it reboot, so is your shutting off or rebooting? You say both but not sure you mean both.

 

If problem occurred before adding UPS to mix then probably not related then, that issues usually makes system reboot not shut off. You will have to start replacing components to isolate issue or use another hard drive with windows 7 installed if you think it windows 8.x related but I doubt it. If you bought from system builder then take back and make them start swapping components.

 

Have you tested your ram?

 

If you say it will happen after couple hours during idle then boot into safe mode command prompt only and see if it happens. If it does then my bet is still on bad hardware.

 

It is an EVGA, but the article gives an outline at least on how much amperage is needed, which my PSU meets. I did look into the UPS, and it's not a pure sine wave model, so it won't help during those milliseconds of losing power you had mentioned. This is another thing in my setup that differs from the service department, aside from my dual-screens.

 

As for everything else, they tested it all.

 

edit: Oh, and the PC shuts completely off, never restarts.

[Imperfection]

If they tested it all then you would not still have the problem, sorry not trying to be a dick here (lol, still succeeding maybe), my 30 years experience as a field engineer and my gut says bad motherboard or power supply if its shutting off. If its a thermal issue then the bios will usually log that as thermal event. You can only start swapping components to know for sure but I would still try the other things I mentioned.

 

Same advice is here:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000689.htm

 

If the "service department" is in a Best Buy type of retail outfit then they probably did nothing but let it sit there.

[Farmthat]

Almost certainly a GPU issue. 

 

Your experience versus the service department rules out most other explanations.  First step would be to uninstall all drivers for your card and reinstall from a stable, non-beta release.