The PC restarts and the display goes dark when loading specific games?
The PC restarts and the display goes dark when loading specific games?
Full system specs, including PSU make and model (or part number) is? Also, how old the PSU is, and was the PSU bought new or used/refurbished?
Points towards to file corruption.
Things to try;
1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt (or cmd.exe), right-click the top/correct result, and select the
Run as administrator
option.
3. Type the following command to perform system repair and press Enter:
SFC /scannow
4. If the scan found corrupt files and repaired them, run the same command again, just in case:
(if no errors were found, skip to step #5)
SFC /scannow
5. Once no errors are found with SFC /scannow, type the following command to perform a quick check and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
6. Once this is done and when corruption is detected, type in another command for in-depth scan and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
7. Once this is done and there are issues with system image, type in another command for fixing it and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
8. Once the system image repair is complete, type in another command and press Enter:
SFC /scannow
9. After last once completes, final command with Enter press would be:
exit
This closes the terminal window.
Note: SFC /scannow, DISM /ScanHealth and DISM /RestoreHealth may take a long time to complete.
Do not close
the terminal window or
do not
reboot the system, when each of theses scans/fixes are taking place, even when they seemingly get stuck.
System specifications;
GPU - RTX 2080 super
CPU - Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core, 4Ghz
Ram - 32GB
PSU - Cronus Modular 850W, EVO Labs
I estimate I acquired my PSU around four years ago and it was brand new. After being away for three days, I noticed several issues emerging, with many files corrupted or not functioning properly upon return—something unusual since I hadn’t experienced such problems before. Another aspect that could be relevant is my HDD, not the main SSD, which has also been acting odd. It might not be a critical issue on its own but could contribute to the overall problem.
Oh also, the steps I attempted didn’t resolve the situation.
This situation can be fully understood by its nature.
A poor quality power supply unit is essentially a major issue because it supplies power to all components.
When PSUs are inexpensive, they often operate beyond their intended voltage ranges, which can harm the hardware over time. Problems like file corruption may appear mild, but more serious damage—such as affecting the CPU or GPU—is much harder to reverse. Using such substandard units increases the risk of unexpected failures, releasing harmful particles and potentially destroying your entire system.
The best immediate solution is to replace the PSU with a reliable, high-quality model.
For example, brands like Seasonic, Corsair, Super Flower, or Evo Labs offer good options in various power ranges.
A 750W unit is sufficient for most needs.
Although a new PSU won’t undo damage already done by an older unit, it can prevent further deterioration.
If software issues persist after replacement, you have two choices: reformat the affected drive and install a fresh Windows system, or replace the operating system drive entirely (which could be due to drive corruption from the faulty PSU).
Remember: invest in quality PSUs—don’t compromise on them! And avoid purchasing used units.
I understand this might seem like I'm being overly proud and I want you to remember this. Thanks and @Metal Messiah.
For the details! It's strange it's suddenly a PSU problem without any prior notice. That's PC stuff, so what else should I expect? Even though I was just starting out in PC building, I can't say I missed out at that time since we were both aware of the importance of the PSU. Now, seeing the prices today makes sense. Of course, I'm fully aware how crucial the PSU is and have done much more research on it now than before. That thread will definitely be useful!
When I upgrade and test again, I'll check back here to see if anything has changed or not, but as you mentioned, better to stop and address any further issues later—definitely a plus!
Not every power supply unit is the same, and with poor quality components, there isn’t a specific moment when problems start or the device fails completely unexpectedly. High-quality units, on the other hand, tend to perform reliably over time. For instance, my main build—built with Skylake architecture and full specifications with photos in my profile—is driven by Seasonic PRIME 650 (80+ Titanium) [SSR-650TD]. I purchased this PSU in the fourth quarter of 2016. Now, nearly eight years later, it continues to operate smoothly without any issues. That said, I bought the top 650W model available in 2016 for €206.80, and it remains one of the most reliable units I own. What distinguishes it from others is its status as a flagship product from Seasonic, backed by a 12-year warranty. Indeed, you’re correct—12 years. While other brands like Seasonic Vertex also offer a decade-long warranty, all other PSUs typically provide no more than ten years. A solid review of my PSU can be found here: Having the Seasonic PRIME 650TD powering my main build isn’t just a coincidence. I also use the Seasonic PRIME Ultra 650 (80+ Titanium) [SSR-650TR] for my Haswell system (the PSU cost €205.50). For my older AMD build, I opted for a more budget-friendly option: the Seasonic Focus+ 550 (80+ Platinum) [SSR-550PX] (PSU cost €101.50). Reliability is clearly reflected in the length of the warranty offered. In summary: - Up to 2 years – poor reliability - 3 years – moderate reliability (e.g., Corsair VS/CS) - 5 years – average reliability (e.g., Be Quiet! Straight Power 11, Seasonic G12, Corsair CX/CXF) - 7 years – decent reliability (e.g., Seasonic Core/Focus GM, Corsair TX/AX) - 10 years – good reliability (e.g., Seasonic Focus GX/PX, Corsair RMx/HX/HXi/AXi) - 12 years – excellent reliability (e.g., Seasonic Vertex/PRIME) My Evo Labs unit had a two-year warranty, which matches what I recall from my research. Another helpful guide for selecting a good PSU is available here: https://hwbusters.com/best_picks/best-at...e-busters/
This is really useful information! I've found the Seasonic Focus GX-750 ATX 3.0 and verified the 10-year warranty details as well.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C5...CLV8H&th=1
Reviewing other sources confirms it's a strong PSU. Just have to wait for the paycheck before installing. I'll check back after setup to see if issues persist. Even if it doesn't (which would be disappointing), it shouldn't cause further damage, making it a good deal either way! Thanks a lot for your help and the links!