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Thread ID: 150913 2022-09-30 06:47:00 Unexpected XP shutdown 4Lowie (10869) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1488569 2022-09-30 06:47:00 Hi all, back to the group with another question (this seams to me my go to place for whatever!)
Anyway, I have an old Dell computer that drives my CNC, I use this as it has a parallel port. This has served me well for years but now has an issue. After a bit of time running it shuts down, even if it's doing something. Screen goes blank with the words something like, power down detected , shutting down.
Even if you hit the mouse or keyboard it shuts down.
I've checked the power and standby settings and there's nothing to tell it to shut down. Also, I haven't changed any of the setting, this has just started.

Any ideas?

Pretty hard to find anything with a parallel port now and going to USB would mean a complete change in my CNC controller.

Many thanks.
4Lowie (10869)
1488570 2022-09-30 07:12:00 Possibly the power supply but I'm only guessing. I'm guessing it's a fairly old machine so it could be a failing motherboard or psu or graphics card, but sudden unexpected power off sounds most like a psu to me.

parallel ports are rare but there are usb to parallel port adapters that might work, www.pbtech.co.nz for example.
dugimodo (138)
1488571 2022-09-30 08:42:00 My son actually used to sell those adapters years ago as the older Garmin handheld GPS's were parallel ported gary67 (56)
1488572 2022-09-30 19:29:00 Might be worth a try but from what I've read so far may be a long shot. The controller it runs is a bit picky....

Cheers for your ideas.
4Lowie (10869)
1488573 2022-10-01 18:35:00 I never considered it but it seems pcie parallel port cards are also a thing so you can add a port to a modern pc. No idea if thar would work for you though. dugimodo (138)
1488574 2022-10-01 21:54:00 If you do need a card, I suggest one from Dell, eg www.ebay.com
The cheap ones may or may not work well.
Agent_24 (57)
1488575 2022-10-01 21:56:00 After a bit of time running it shuts down, even if it's doing something. Screen goes blank with the words something like, power down detected , shutting down.
Even if you hit the mouse or keyboard it shuts down.

Can you get the EXACT message? A photo of it would be even better.
Is the shutting down message from Windows, or the monitor itself?

Is the computer itself still on when this message is displayed?

Sounds like it could be an overheating problem.
OR software issue (virus?), if it's Windows going through a full shutdown sequence for no good reason.
Agent_24 (57)
1488576 2022-10-01 22:53:00 might also pay to check the bios settings for power off. i wonder if with age the bios battery is getting flat and has reset to default.
also is it on any network?
tweak'e (69)
1488577 2022-10-02 06:41:00 Ok, died completely now! After the over heating comment I blew out all the fans, (fans were working) reset all the plugs but no luck. As soon as it tries to boot I get the message,
1:Auto Detect
Entering Power Save.

Just a small font in the center of the monitor. The power light on the PC just flash's yellow.

Is it worth trying another power supply? Or time to move on and set up something more modern?

Cheers and thanks again for your thoughts.
4Lowie (10869)
1488578 2022-10-02 06:42:00 Also, no virus and it's not online in any way. Also no bios or any other settings have been changed . 4Lowie (10869)
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