AG3-605 Predator Desktop Powers Off and Re-Starts for no apparent reason.

Pekasbub
Pekasbub Member Posts: 4 New User

My computer has begun restarting for no reason once it has been operating for a time. I installed a temperature check app, and the temperatures do not appear to be approaching maximums. I opened up the case and there was sadly a bunch of dust and buildup on the main board fan. I took it to a repair shop, and they used compressed air to clean out the interior well. They then ran some stress tests and the machine ran for close to an hour with no problems. Today, granted after 5 hours of time on, the machine shut down again. Any thoughts or diagnostics I should try to remedy the situation? Do power supplies ever fail in this intermittent matter?

Answers

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,174 Trailblazer
    edited August 26

    Your Predator G3-605 desktop is a 2013 released desktop and allot of oem components could have deteriorated and are past their used by date that could contribute to the shutdowns and reboots of your desktop and its not only dust and felt of the fan(s). Go through the hardware systematically, starting with the following:

    1. RTC/BIOS BATTERY- The memory battery (aka motherboard, CMOS, real-time clock (RTC), clock battery) is generally a CR2032 lithium coin cell. This cell battery has an estimated life of three years when power supply unit (PSU) is unplugged or when the PSU power switch is turned off.
    2. RAM - Check each module if its faulty or the ram slots have corroded pins
    3. PSU - Read this Signs Of Failing PSU - How To Identify A Dying Power Supply and be very careful with diagnosing a desktop PSU as you need to know what you are doing as if you don't, you will get electrocuted.
    4. HUBS - if you have anything connected to a USB HUB through any USB ports, those peripherals could contribute to a short and the restart of your desktop,

    Note: I speak from personal experience with a USB HUB that was connected to a USB port on my brand-new Nitro laptop, that did the same restarts and shutdowns that drove me crazy and I couldn't find out why my laptop was restarting and shutting down🤣and the culprit was a USB hub on a Zalman tablet cooler that I used that was shortening the USB port of the laptop out and making it shut down and reboot, so check all the above out on your old Predator G3-605 as anything on the main board also could be contributing to this shut offs.

    Predator G3-605 mainboard change the bios battery, check the ram slot pins and 12pin and 4 pin power plugs if they have any corrosion and clean all these components out with a good circuitry cleaning spray like STANLEY Contact Cleaner or WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner that are the best circuitry cleaning spays. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • Pekasbub
    Pekasbub Member Posts: 4 New User

    I'll try these thoughts and suggestions. Thank you very much. Some of the diagnostics may be past me to try. I wish Acer had a good to great diagnostic program. 😀

  • Pekasbub
    Pekasbub Member Posts: 4 New User

    Replacing the CR2032 is relatively straight forward. The PSU is a bit more complex it seems. My local computer repair place I have used for years says that G3-605 Predator's power supply is non-standard, and would be very expensive to replace. They can use a standard power supply, with an adapter cable that has "the right number of pins"? Does it sound correct that the replacement PSU for a 2013 Acer Computer is no longer available?

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 12,174 Trailblazer

    Yes, the Predator G3-605 is an old desktop but the PSUs might still be available online, so try the Acer part numbers of the oen PSUs that I've give you, and see if anyone still sells these PSU. Just in case you can't get the old PSUs, I've also included the ATX power mainboard plugs pin layout to help your tech with an adapter for a new PSU. Good luck and hope this helps you out further.

    ATX Mainboard plugs pin layouts

    Acer oem G3-605 PSUs

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,246 Trailblazer

    Adapters to go from the 12 pin to the more standard 24 pin aren't too tough to find. Here's the first one that showed up in a quick Google search.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Pekasbub
    Pekasbub Member Posts: 4 New User

    StevenGen and Billsay - thank you both for the information. I'll get it to my technician and research some more myself from the info given. Much appreciated!