HP m8226x turns off during start up

[hub99]

I have HP m8226x in its original configuration. The computer suddenly turns off and when I try to restart it, it turns off during the process. During the reboot, when I choose the option "start the computer normally", it just turns off. Then, I usually try to restart it several times and at some point it finally starts and stays on for couple of days. Any ideas why this would happen? Please help.

Hub

HP Pavilion Media Center m8226x - Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3 GHz specifications

• General
• Type Media center
• Recommended Use Home use
• Product Form Factor Tower
• Localization English / United States
• Desktop type Media center system , Budget desktop system
• Processor
• Type AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ / 3.0 GHz
• Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
• 64-bit Computing Yes
• Installed Qty 1.0
• Max Supported Qty 1.0
• Cache Memory
• Type L2 cache
• Installed Size 1.0 MB
• Cache Per Processor 1 MB ( 2 x 512 KB )
• Mainboard
• Chipset type NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE / nForce 430
• Data bus speed 1000.0 MHz
• RAM
• Installed Size 3.0 GB
• Technology DDR2 SDRAM
• Memory Specification Compliance PC2-5300
• Form Factor DIMM 240-pin
• Storage Controller
• Type 1.0 x Serial ATA - Integrated
• Storage Controller (2nd)
• Type 1 x IDE - Integrated
• Storage
• Floppy Drive None
• Hard Drive 1.0 x 500.0 GB - Standard - Serial ATA-150 - 7200.0 rpm
• Hard Drive (2nd) None
• Optical Storage
• Type DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM - Serial ATA
• CD / DVD read speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD)
• CD / DVD write speed 40x (CD) / 16x (DVD±R) / 8x (DVD±R DL)
• CD / DVD rewrite speed 32x (CD) / 6x (DVD-RW) / 8x (DVD+RW) / 12x (DVD-RAM)
• Disc Labeling Technology LightScribe Technology
• Optical Storage (2nd)
• Type None
• Storage Removable
• Type None
• Monitor
• Monitor Type None.
• Multimedia Functionality
• TV tuner type Digital and analog TV
• Radio tuner type FM radio
• Graphics Controller
• Type Integrated
• Graphics Processor / Vendor NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Shared video memory (UMA)
• Audio Output
• Type Sound card - Integrated
• Audio output compliant standards High Definition Audio

[Big_Dave]

Try this procedure:

Unplug the PC and open it up. Clean out all the dust. Carefully remove and replace all the cables going to the motherboard one at a time. Do the same for the memory dimms and the video and sound cards if you have any. Plug your PC back in a give it a go.

[hub99]

Thank you for your reply. I did what you have recommended and the problem persists....Is there anything else that I could do?

[Big_Dave]

Intermittent problems are hard solve. It could be a number of hardware issues. When the issue occurs, then try this procedure: Trouble Shooting Power Supply Issues.

[bakeapples]

I had the same model machine with a similar issue except instead of turning off it would either reboot or freeze up during startup. The problem is likely the same as mine - bad capacitors on the motherboard. The capacitors in question are the cylindrical ones that look like mini batteries on the motherboard. The tops of capacitors should be flat but I had seven that were swollen up like stove top popcorn with the foil expanding tops.

Like mine you noticed that your machine would eventually startup. After so many attempts the capacitor(s) eventually will warm up and properly hold the charge, that is until they fail outright. My machine would stay on all day but eventually started to freeze up overnight as the problem got worst. The next day it was back to repeated restarting to get the machine running again.

In the 2006-2007 there was a Tawian company that flooded the market with these cheap capacitors and they were bought up by most of the PC manufacturers. It is possible to replace the capacitors but there are so many on the board that other ones could also fail. Best bet is to replace the machine.