computer shuts down

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Guest

Sometimes my computer will completely shut down. I have McAfee VirusScan and
there are no viruses. I have modified my power options to Home/Office user,
always on.

What should I check now?

Thanks.
 
Check for dirty or malfunctioning fans on the CPU and all the case fans.
Sounds like a overheating problem.
If all the fans are clean and running fine, then suspect a failing
power-supply.
 
Thanks for the response. My computer was recently upgraded equipment wise,
so it is probably not the supply. I will check the fans and clean them.

I didn't think about the simple stuff.

Thanks!!!!
 
A few other things that can do this.

Loose USB ports on the back of the computer
It is amazing how many times a loose power cable can do this, give it a
wiggle
I have had a video driver that caused something like this
Make sure all expansion cards are screwed down

--
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Use of included script samples are subject to the terms specified at
http://www.microsoft.com/info/cpyright.htm.

Nathan

..
 
Hi,

Is there an error message?
Does it just suddenly go off, or does it go through a shutdown sequence?

A sudden loss of power can be a motherboard fail-safe as well, if the cpu or
board overheats, the system shuts down to protect it. If this is the case,
additional cooling fans may be necessary.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
try housecall.com and avg, sometimes your virus program isn't picking it up.
I also use adaware and spybot to get rid of spyware
 
Hello, my laptop does the same thing even though I brought a cooling fan for
it. Also I'm starting having this problem recently any advise?
 
Assuming that there is no "malware" or other odd software causing the
problem--
Laptops generally fail (abrupt shutdown) due to hardware failure.
The types of hardware failure can be related to CPU fan or fan speed control
failure, or such things as internal power supply failure.
Even a malfunctioning external power supply can cause abrupt shutdown on
some models.
A bad battery can have a rapid discharge curve that causes shutdown before
the battery monitor software has a chance to give the user a warning.
Additionally, some laptops use batteries that have temperature sensors that
will cause shutdown if the battery overheats.
Those laptops that are in the news lately do not have this battery safety
feature, or it does not work properly.
Usually, a laptop must be sent to a service center for repair. Many
parts/assemblies are peculiar to the laptop make and model.
Quite often the repair cost on an older laptop equals or exceeds the
residual value. The cost of out of warrenty service center repair usually
begins at about $200.
 
Is there a way to like say self-booting to help this problem,because I
already got my laptop check.
 
How would one go about checking for a failing power supply? Also, is there
another way to check CPU temp. other than with a tool from the motherboard?
 
How would one go about checking for a failing power supply? Also, is there
another way to check CPU temp. other than with a tool from the
Click to expand...
motherboard?

Specialist computer stores have test equipment that
can test a power supply. This takes barely a minute
and is usually free, because power supplies fail regularly
and the store wants to sell you a new one. Typical
PC malfunctions that indicate a dying power supply
range from unordered shutdown to failure to read a
CD or hard drive, but no particular pattern warns of
future failure of the PS.
 
Thank You Gerry. That does give me a lot to work with. I greatly appreciate
your quick response as well. That is why I come to this forum first. Plenty
of people with a desire to help. I learn a lot from the MVPs here and their
knowledge is greatly appreciated. But, along with that, it really helps to
hear from someone who has experienced the exact same problem and found the
fix. Also, as we are all aware, a fix for one sometimes doesn't help all.
Here we can learn all the possibilities and keep trying different solutions
til our own computers are back up and running. To those of us who are not so
much of an expert, that is a great feeling.
 
Thank you so much. I was wondering if it could be tested at a computer store.
But, I wasn't sure if I just had 'generator/alternator' on the brain. My car
is pissing on me as well....lol

Thanks again. Very helpful.
 
Replace the radiator hose <G>?



~~~~


Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Thank you so much. I was wondering if it could be tested at acomputerstore..
But, I wasn't sure if I just had 'generator/alternator' on the brain. My car
is pissing on me as well....lol
Click to expand...

Computer stores that use a power supply tester will not provide a
useful answer. Best power supply test (and only one that will
properly identify a defective supply without $hundreds in test
equipment) means leaving everything unchanged inside the computer.

Setup the system to access (multitask to) all peripherals
simultaneously. Play complex graphics (ie a movie) while playing
sound while searching the hard drive for files while downloading from
the internet while reading a CD, etc. Now the power supply is ready
to be tested.

A 3.5 digit multimeter should measure one of each power supply wires
- orange, red, purple, and yellow. Those VDC numbers should exceed
3.23, 4.87, and 11.7.

Only time a tester can properly test a power supply is under full
load. A power supply could have always been defective but not caused
failures for months. Some of these numbers could be too low (a
defective power supply) and computer would still boot and run today.
Only indication that the power supply was defective would be those
numbers - to find a defect today that would cause failures months from
now.
 
Thank you so much. I was wondering if it could be tested at
acomputerstore. But, I wasn't sure if I just had
'generator/alternator' on the brain. My car is pissing on me as
well....lol
Click to expand...

Computer stores that use a power supply tester will not provide a
useful answer. Best power supply test (and only one that will
properly identify a defective supply without $hundreds in test
equipment) means leaving everything unchanged inside the computer.

Setup the system to access (multitask to) all peripherals
simultaneously. Play complex graphics (ie a movie) while playing
sound while searching the hard drive for files while downloading from
the internet while reading a CD, etc. Now the power supply is ready
to be tested.

A 3.5 digit multimeter should measure one of each power supply wires
- orange, red, purple, and yellow. Those VDC numbers should exceed
3.23, 4.87, and 11.7.

Only time a tester can properly test a power supply is under full
load. A power supply could have always been defective but not caused
failures for months. Some of these numbers could be too low (a
defective power supply) and computer would still boot and run today.
Only indication that the power supply was defective would be those
numbers - to find a defect today that would cause failures months from
now.[/QUOTE]

Wow! I don't know where you got your education, but ... you need more!
This is nothing but balderdash spewed out without any means of
verification/clarification or backing of any kind, which can not be
forthcoming.
So, if 3.23 reads 6, and 4.87 reads 9, that OK by your standards,
right? You're missing so much and so fickle in your knowledge that you
need to go back to school or get a life!
 
He didn't say that, you did. Use common sense.
Twayne said:
Wow! I don't know where you got your education, but ... you need more!
This is nothing but balderdash spewed out without any means of
verification/clarification or backing of any kind, which can not be
forthcoming.
So, if 3.23 reads 6, and 4.87 reads 9, that OK by your standards, right?
You're missing so much and so fickle in your knowledge that you need to go
back to school or get a life!
Click to expand...
 
Wow! I don't know where you got your education, but ... you need more!
...
So, if 3.23 reads 6, and 4.87 reads 9, that OK by your standards,
right? You're missing so much and so fickle in your knowledge that you
need to go back to school or get a life!
Click to expand...

If Twayne was educated, then he also knows why the 3.3 volts cannot
read 6 volts and why 5 volts cannot read 9. Well there are people who
learned how power supplies work and how to fix power supplies by
designing them even 30 years ago. And then there are computer
assemblers who don't even know how electricity works, never learned
the basics, and do not know why those 6 and 9 volts cannot exist.

How do we know Twayne has insufficient knowledge? He posts
insults. All Twayne had to do is read ATX power supply specs to know
why his numbers are impossible. Another problem with those who post
insults. They also forget to learn basic facts before posting.

Barkimmy asked:
How would one go about checking for a failing power supply?
Click to expand...

Do we want an answer from someone who fixed power suppliesy before
the design even worked? Or one who knows without even reading power
supply specs - who knows without first learning?
 
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