StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I'm currently writing this from my PDA, as my desktop has recently become very unstable. I can't seem to lock down the specific prob lem, but it randomly seems to lose power. The power switch remains on, indicating that some power is still entering the device, but the system itself is off. Case fans stop, the internal lighting shuts off, and the computer itself stops dead in its tracks. I have to hold the power button for five seconds to get the system to turn "off" so I can turn it back on again. Any ideas?

My first guess would be the power supply.

How old is it? What brand is it? What are it's specs?

This can also be caused by thermal problems on the CPU.
It might be an idea to check in your BIOS to see if it tells you the system temperature and the voltages your PSU is supplying. If anything looks wonky in there it'll give you an idea what parts are going out.

Also, just feel the CPU heat sink with a finger when it dies. If you start screaming 'IT BURNS, IT BURNS!' chances are you have an overheating problem.

Actually, in a good many cases, that won't tell you much.

A good 25% or more of CPU heat related issues are bad thermal contact, not bad cooling of the heatsink. If the thermal contact is good and the rest of the airflow is OK, you could even survive a knackered fan with little more than some instability, since a P4 will throttle back and an Athlon can fry eggs before blowing up.

Your PSU is dying and needs to be replaced ASAP.

Check to make sure all your wires are plugged in right. Check the memory too. It happens from time to time if you move it, or if you run it a lot, the heat will cause things to jiggle around.

If that don't work, I'd look at the power supply.

It's happened to me twice as well recently, it might be worth checking out. Ive got multiple case fans, a cpu fan and a fan on my video card and all are working, the memory is passing its check ok.

If I play a CD in the drive though it is really hot when it comes out, but it could be worth getting the PSU checked over.

I've watched bad PSUs blow entire systems inside out. I've seem them start to smoke when plugged in. I've watched a motherboard CATCH FIRE because of a bad PSU. Do /not/ wait.