Why does it shut off hard for no reason?

**Maheriano** · 07-19-2006, 11:38 PM

My computer's been shutting off hard on pretty much every trip, sometimes multiple times. It'll shut off completely with a pop noise, wait a few seconds, then startup right away again. I had the circuit board for the screen kind of dangling behind the screen so I fgured that could cause problems like tension or grounding issues so I fixed it to the back of the screen and haven't tested it since. Not sure if that fixed it, but what else could it be? I also figured maybe there was a wire grinding out somewhere but I don't think that's it either. I have all wiring going into the wiring harness and it's all taped up pretty good. The only other thing I could figure it heating issues, but wouldn't they account for that in building the setup? I have the Ampie case and hardware listed in my signature. It has happened while the car was completely still waiting at a drive through window. When it starts up, it boots into Windows, I start Roadrunner, and it starts playing the same song everytime.

**yrean** · 07-19-2006, 11:48 PM

id check wiring and look to see if theres any loose wires. I have my windows set to not show me error codes etc. so mine has maybe rebooted from a crash once or twice.

do youself a favor and ghost the drive in case something really gets screwed. then you can have it back up and running the way the system was from the time of that ghost image in no time.

as for road runer. If it crashes it doesnt save any info on where the track stopped etc, so the next time you load it will automatically start where it did the last time you started up. only time it saves resume info is when your shutting it down or exiting etc. not on a hard crash/reboot.

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-20-2006, 08:00 AM

just the fact that you had the monitor board 'dangling' back there makes me question your entire install.

I'd take a look at this thread:FAQ: Proper Wire Termination and Connection Methods for tips on how to solder anything and make terminations.

and this thread to determin proper wire and fuse sizing: FAQ: Determining proper gauge wire/fuse size/battery size/alternator size

**Sonicxtacy02** · 07-20-2006, 09:04 AM

:O good lord you've spent alot on your install. You should have a much better system for that price.

**TruckinMP3** · 07-20-2006, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Maheriano

My computer's been shutting off hard on pretty much every trip, sometimes multiple times. It'll shut off completely with a pop noise, wait a few seconds, then startup right away again. I had the circuit board for the screen kind of dangling behind the screen so I fgured that could cause problems like tension or grounding issues so I fixed it to the back of the screen and haven't tested it since.
SNIP

What makes you think it is for no reason.... do you suspect "MAGIC"?

This is the result of a poor install. You should know this and correct the problems without blaming the equipment or anyone except yourself.

The reason I am saying these 'harsh' things is your approach and complaining.
Do better work, get better results.

**Bugbyte** · 07-20-2006, 09:13 AM

'Taped up pretty good'! 'TAPED up pretty good!' 'TAPED UP pretty good!!!'

I have highlighted what I believe to be your problem, see above. Taping wires is a sure recipe for intermittent failures.

Proper termination, splicing, and grounding of the system is a real pain in the ***, but is essential to long term stability of the system.

Check also that all components on the mobo, all cable connectors, particularly power supply related, are seated properly. Also, make sure you have not added on components which draw too much power on one of the power rails. If you have not added anything to the system, you can ignore that part. If you have but don't know what I'm talking about, read some of the power supply FAQ's that discuss this issue.

Also, you are drawing power directly from that battery using 10 gauge wire at the least, yes? You wouldn't have hooked it up to your head unit supply, would you?

**Maheriano** · 07-20-2006, 10:04 AM

I didn't realize the circuit board was hanging in behind the monitor, I thought the way I secured it had worked until I pulled it out.

As for the power issue, I'm running 18 gauge wire from the wiring harness to the computer. Mainly because that's the size that came with the harness for the Ampie case.

**MatrixPC** · 07-20-2006, 11:02 AM

Shutting hard most of the time cause by loose connector/card/adapter .....

**RedGTiVR6** · 07-20-2006, 11:19 AM

18 gauge = up to 10 amps at 10'

are you pulling mroe than that?

**Maheriano** · 07-20-2006, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

18 gauge = up to 10 amps at 10'

are you pulling mroe than that?

Sorry man, I tried to figure out that amps/voltage post in the PSU section and just couldn't figure it out. You're probably going to hate me for this but I'll post what I have.

7 inch Xenarc running off molex connector
remote lead to 4 channel amp
GPS receiver running off USB
the Xenarc also running off USB and VGA
80 gig 5400 RPM 2.5 inch hard drive running off molex

I guess that's it.