Random shutoff troubleshoot help?

[dealaus]

Hey guys,

I have quite a problem on my family PC. Basically, its a pretty low-key pc and not at all fancy or anything, but it will randomly shutoff. What happens is I will be using it and all of a sudden the screen will freeze and about a second later the computer just shuts off, without warning. I have noticed that it happens alot faster/easier when I am drawing from it a lot more (i.e youtube, multiple tabs/windows, etc). Once it shuts off for the first time, you can't get back on it right away otherwise it will do the same thing again extremely fast, sometimes before even completing its boot to the home screen. It is quite aggravating and has cost me a few hours of school work on it. My parents, of course, thinks it is a virus, but I doubt we have gotten the same virus over four times b/c my dad has given it to my uncle who cleans it up (viruses, extra stuff, etc) and when it gets back from him it wont start doing it for a while, but eventually surfaces back. Anyways, you can see why I wanna do my build this summer, but any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, dealaus

[GoatNapp3r]

First that crossed my mind is temps, it happens alot with my laptop. It overheats, and if it don't get time to cool down it will shut down again after booting it up. Is all the fans working, any dust build-up?

[dealaus]

First that crossed my mind is temps, it happens alot with my laptop. It overheats, and if it don't get time to cool down it will shut down again after booting it up. Is all the fans working, any dust build-up?

Yep, you were right, but I do not understand why. The machine is running xp sp3 and even though the gpu is a downright piece of crap, it gets hot enough to burn my finger when placed on for a few seconds, fans will not do any good.

[smduff]

check the CPU cooler.

[dealaus]

check the CPU cooler.

It works, but just the bad stock one.

[smduff]

is it full of of dust? or hot to the touch?

[dealaus]

is it full of of dust? or hot to the touch?

Not real dusty, I blew it out though. Not really hotter that normal.

[GoatNapp3r]

How old is the PC? You could consider applying new thermal paste on the cooler.
And check the airflow thru the case, is there enough intake/exhaust, or is there alot of cables everywhere?

[Drdeath]

When you get it running, download Coretemp and let's us know the temps.

[dealaus]

How old is the PC? You could consider applying new thermal paste on the cooler.
And check the airflow thru the case, is there enough intake/exhaust, or is there alot of cables everywhere?

i really don't know its age, not good, but not old. only like 2-3 fans i believe, minimal wires. But, my dad resolved the problem by obtaining a mac:/ so,,, anyone have office mac codes?


the old computer was sent to my uncle (again).

Thanks
dealaus