5. As "peter" indicated the problem could result from a failingpowersupply.
The only practical way to tell would be to replace the current one
with a known working PS.
Going beyond Anna's point; don't fix anything until something is
identified as defective. For example, a fan that does not spin; only
then is the fan considered for replacement. If it spins, do you
replace it anyway? Yes, if doing shotgunning.
Unfortunately, Anna's point five is in error. For example, if all
doors are sticking inside a house, do you plane down the doors to make
them fit? Of course not. First confirm the house foundation is not
crumbling.
A power supply is a computer's foundation. Anything can appear
intermittent or defective if power supply integrity is not
established. Your power supply could be 'crumbling' for more than six
months to create intermittents. A computer works fine for hours or
days before crashing because power supply has been defective for 6+
months - maybe even when first provided.
Power supply is a first hardware check; performed in but two minutes
with a 3.5 digit multimeter. A tool so ubiquitous as to be sold even
in K-mart. A tool so simple that even Ipods are more complex. A tool
as necessary as a screwdriver if one is going to fix things
electrical. And sold in most stores that also sell screwdrivers. If
a meter is too complex, then you had no business cleaning out dust.
In your case, execute multiple programs so that all peripherals are
accessed simultaneously (multitasking). IOW display complex graphics
(from a movie), while reading a floppy and hard drive simultaneously,
while downloading something from the net. Now take four voltage
measurements. Measure a voltage on one of each colored wire from
power supply to motherboard. Readings on orange, purple, red, and
yellow wires must exceed 3.23, 4.87, and 11.7 volts. If true, then
power supply 'system' (not just a power supply) is known good.
Furthermore, you now have numbers to post here so that more
knowledgeable posters might add useful information. Your replies will
only be as good as the facts and numbers you provide.
With power supply known god, only then move on to other suspects.
Heat is not a reason for failure. When others cite heat as
problems, well, that is too common among those who did not learn how
hardware works. Heat is a diagnostic tool. Currently your system is
intermittent. If problem can be made hard, then the problem is easily
located Computers consider a room at 100 degree F as 'pigs
heaven'. Only computers with defective hardware fail when room temp
exceeds 100. Even a computer full of dust must work just fine in a
100 degree room.
Another diagnostic method is to heat selective components with a
hair dryer on highest heat settings. So hot as to be uncomfortable to
touch; but not leave skin. If a warmed part causes failure, well,
that is a 100% defective part. Those who never learned hardware,
instead, want to cure that defective part with "more fans".
As Anna noted, get diagnostics. Responsible computer manufacturers
provide comprehensive hardware diagnostics for free (on computer and
on their web site). If your manufacturer is not so responsible, then
(painfully) download each diagnostic separately from the component
vendor. Best test is each diagnostic at 70 degrees; then repeated at
100 degrees. That also includes memory diagnostics.
Unfortunately, by trying to fix things first, you have destroyed
what could have identified the suspect. Windows was reloaded only on
wild speculation. Therefore system (event) logs were destroyed. Logs
with history of what failed previously. Just another example of why
responsible techs first learn what is defective long before trying to
fix things.
Three simple tasks to include what Anna has posted. First (and
before any other hardware analysis), get a 3.5 digit multimeter and
get those voltage measurements because your symptoms are also typical
of a supply that has been defective for more than 6 months. Don't
verify a power supply by swapping power supplies. Remember, it is a
power supply 'system' - not just a power supply.
Also perform hardware diagnostics; and repeat at elevated
temperatures.
And finally review system (event) logs to discover what has been
detected by the OS as defective (intermittent).
The last thing to do is swap parts. Swapping occurs only after a
suspect has been identified. Shotgunning (whether with computers,
cars, or satellites) is always the indication of one who has not a
clue; therefore is 'firing a shotgun into the dark'. Even trained
soldiers don't do that.
And again, your replies here will only be as good as the numbers you
provide. Demonstated also is how to obtain information from better
informed lurkers.
Nothing posted above is beyond abilities of anyone who can learn to
drive a car. However some fear only because they never did it before.
