Power Problem

[boo]

yesi will attempt to get or borrow a power supply from somewhere and see what happens 2morrow
thanx for ur help
i will post 2morrow some time with what happens

[dahlarbear]

i took out the CPU fan and cleaned it with one of those aerosol air spray things. i put it back
i timed how long it took for the computer to turn off and its now down to 21 seconds.

i havent added any hardware or software
the problem has only been happening for about 3 or 4 days but is now much worse

1. "took out the CPU fan".  Is that the one that sits on top of the CPU (and heatsink)?    Should he have applied a fresh coat of "thermal paste"?

[Flip81]

boo:  first off, your hard drive is fine. 

Try a new PSU.  If the new PSU comes up with the same results (short turn off as usual) then clearly your system is overheating.  Usually if a PSU is bad it won't get that far consistently as you describe it.  Is your fan running at boot up?  Can you hear it running?  If so, is it really loud? 

[boo]

i was wondering what that stuff was!!
when i turn the computer on, the fan is running normal.
i will attempt to borrow a PSU from some1 and try that

[dahlarbear]

i was wondering what that stuff was!!

What stuff?  Where?  On the surface between the CPU and the heat sink?

[boo]

yes that stuff
i wasnt sure what it was
ive never taken a CPU fan off b4, never had to

[WillyW]

Just in case they are needed,  here's a couple links:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/274

http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

[boo]

thanx

[boo]

ok, so as a temporary solution, i have inserted my main HDD into the other computer as a slave bcos it wont boot as a primary.

the drive stats show that there is roughly 100gb being used on it (out of 250)
i have checked show hidden files and i have full permissions for it but i can only see 11gb of files and folders.
the stuff i need just isnt there!!
how can i view the "hidden files"?

[patio]

Try This...[/u]

[boo]

"Sorry, the page you requested is not available"

[patio]

Try Here

[boo]

thanks for that, problem solved
i have access to all my files

i have ordered a new PSU and am awaiting its delivery
i will post with the result!

[Frankie]

A computer shutting down randomly can be a sign of many different things. It could be overheating, a virus, bad drivers, faulty PSU or bad RAM.

You can try sticking a desktop fan right on the computer with its side case off.

A virus is an easy fix. Download the necessary anti-virus software and run it.

The RAM is easy to diagnose. Download and run memtest. For the PSU, you just have to do what is suggested and swap it with another.

[boo]

i have already slaved the primary HDD on a second PC.
i cant boot it up at all so i cant do the other stuff
if the PSU thing doesnt, work i can always take it back and try asomething else