Thanks, I'll work on the stuff you suggested and let you know. I appreciate
all your kindness
Reasons from those who know this technology would number maybe 50.
Many, instead, will cite the few understood 'usual suspects' - such as
heat , flaky power supply, or disk drive. Speculation. Disk drive is
not even valid speculation for your symptoms..
For example, the second suspect - power supply. Most who blame a
supply do not even know any other part of that 'system' that can cause
a computer to shut off. 'System' where a power supply is only one
component.
Your post provided insufficient information. Therefore 'solutions'
will be just as uninformative - mostly speculation. For example, heat
is more often a symptom of other defective hardware. A tool to
identify a problem. Computer must work just fine even when room
temperature is 30 degrees warmer - over 100 degrees F. Defective
semiconductors may fail at warmer (normal) temperatures. Solving heat
as a problem only cures a symptom; does not solve a problem. To
obtain useful replies, first provide useful information - facts -
especially numbers.
What does the system 'event' logs report? Problems can be
temporarily solved, recorded in that log, and then computer keeps
working. You learn and solve these problems later. At least that is
the idea. But without those logs, then problem may be ignored? Some
instead want to cure problems without first learning what that problem
is. They would reload Windows - and destroy those system logs; make
the problem more difficult.
What does Device Manager report? Any hardware problems identified?
Before fixing anything, first obtain facts; first identify the
suspect. Those facts also make your replies more useful.
Responsible computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware
diagnostics for free on the hard drive, on a separate CD, and on web
sites. If your's is a responsible manufacturer, then execute their
comprehensive diagnostics. If not, then diagnostics must be
downloaded from each component manufacturer or from third parties -
such as Memtst86. But again, Memtst86 sometimes only finds memory
defects when memory is heated by a 100 degree room or by heating
memory (and related ICs) with a hairdryer on highest heat setting.
Again, heat is a diagnostic to identify hardware defects.
If using an NT based versions of Windows (not Windows 9x or ME),
then hardware that can cause problems is limited; to sound card, video
controller, memory, CPU, some motherboard functions, and power supply
'system'. Note other devices not on that list such as hard drive or
keyboard. Diagnostics obtained for those 'listed' components.
Malware can also cause shutdown. Do you execute a virus protection
search periodically?
What is ongoing when a crash happens? Everything (since Windows is
a pre-emptive multitasking system) that is loaded executes
simultaneously.
Just a few questions to start an analysis. A fundamental point.
Replies will only be as useful as information you provide. Was the
problem created by hardware or by software? Another fact that must be
known before fixing anything.
