I am trying to help my ex wife with her pc! She had no problems with it for ages and then all of a sudden it wouldn't start one day. It kept going to the safe mode screen but when you tried to enter an option it froze and that was that.

In the end I reinstalled Windows XP Pro and it started all ok.

So ran it for a few hours no problems. UNTIL I gave it back.

She has ran it at home and it randomly shuts down on it's own but doesn't power off! The screen receives no input, the mouse still shows the optical light, the unit has the power light but no hdd light, the keyboard shows the number lock light, the motherboard power light is on and the cpu fan works BUT you can't do anything bar turn it off?

When you turn it back on all ok for so long then exact same thing!

SO I take it back and it works fine for hours!!!!!!!!!!!

Back to hers and bang gone again!

STUPID but I have seen it with my own eyes! Makes no odds whether using it or just sat their turned on.

So far I have replaced the power supply, checked hdd, checked ram and others ystem tests, no problems reported. Error log shows nothing. Left case cover off in case of overheating, no difference.

It is a intel celeron 3ghz, 512m dimm, sata hdd, dvdrw, asus motherboard. All drivers up to date although board and bios is 2006.

Any ideas please? Getting desperate now, completely flummoxed!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

Dan

Boy-- thats a "beauty"
All the steps you have already taken...
I only have one suggestion.
have you tried a different wall outlet at her house-- could be a bad outlet/power fluctuations too great for the PSU?
It is completely stable @ your place? I would keep it run it for a day or 2-- perhaps run a game or a benchmark tool-- really give it a workout
Freeware Benchmark Programs - Free Downloads
if it does not crash-- I'd look to her wiring-- or circuit load-- even a fried outlet-- they do wear out

welcome to PCHF!

it seems your ex's power outlet might be causing a surge. does she have a surge protector on that outlet? it seems like a load balancing problem to me.

Hi and thanks for your replies

I wondered about her power outlet! It has been in a surge protected adaptor BUT on an extension lead if that makes a difference maybe!!

I have also removed it from the surge adaptor out f interest and no difference.

Will go for the 48hour running at my place and see I think.

IF it is a power outlet problem any ideas!??

Thanks again

Check for proper EARTHING of the power supply ( AC Point) ,open connection can create such behaviours in PC

Hi do you mean in the plug and lead or something in the power supply connections etc? i have changed the power supply and it does work in the offcie here and at my home just not hers!

this has made me wonder about the power lead as I am using my own ones when I take it?