Computer shuts down - Any ideas?

azibux1

azibux1

azibux1

Soldato
Joined
11 Oct 2011
Posts
3,335
Location
UK
Hi,

This is NOT about my computer, it is someone my Mum knows and their computer

I still need to ring them and find out more information but my Mum told me that the computer just randomly shuts down

I need to ask the person if it shuts down and doesn't come back on, shuts down and restarts itself etc but in the meantime anyone got any ideas of things to check? Things that might be causing the problem?

Hope you can help, will post more info when I have it, :)
 
Is it overclocked? Clear CMOS set it to default values.

Check the temperates.

Re-seat everything.

Virus/Trojan scanner.

Run Memtest.
 
If it just suddenly cuts out (as opposed to shutting down Windows first), then PSU and heatsink/temperatures should be the prime suspects. Often happens when the PSU wears out/is overloaded, or the heatsink gets filled with dust or the fan dies, triggering a high temperature shut-off.

Ask if there's any pattern to it, i.e. does it always shut down under load, or does it do it at the Windows desktop as well?
 
Last edited:
It sounds like when I had a dust issue, as Mattus says. My computer would randomly shut down. There was so much dust on my heatsink fan that it was struggling to do anything.
 
stulid said:
Is it overclocked? Clear CMOS set it to default values.

Check the temperates.

Re-seat everything.

Virus/Trojan scanner.

Run Memtest.
Click to expand...

Okay, thanks

I'm guessing it isn't overclocked as it is only an office PC

As I'm not sure what processor it has, assuming it is a relatively low-end one as it is just an office PC, what are suitable temperatures, just a rough guide?

Will try the reseating and virus/trojan/spyware scans

And I will run memtest and see what happens

Mattus said:
If it just suddenly cuts out (as opposed to shutting down Windows first), then PSU and heatsink/temperatures should be the prime suspects. Often happens when the PSU wears out/is overloaded, or the heatsink gets filled with dust or the fan dies, triggering a high temperature shut-off.

Ask if there's any pattern to it, i.e. does it always shut down under load, or does it do it at the Windows desktop as well?
Click to expand...

Okay, I thought that it may be dust but I'll find that out when I go and open it

Will ask about when it happens too, like you say if it is linked to something else or not

scottmuir424 said:
are any of the power save option enabled causing to shut down :)
Click to expand...

I don't think it would be this as it is an office PC so I'm assuming it is constantly being used so wouldn't expect it to go onto standby or anything like that.

It sounds like when I had a dust issue, as Mattus says. My computer would randomly shut down. There was so much dust on my heatsink fan that it was struggling to do anything.
Click to expand...

I think I will probably dust it out while I'm doing all of this, will be better in the long run :)





Thanks for all your help guys :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom