Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: boo on January 03, 2008, 12:56:57 PM
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the last 2 days, my desktop computer has suddenyl turned off without me doing anything.
i checked all the cables and nothing was out of order.
i tried the power button loads of times and for some reason after about 5mins it started up with no problems
this repeated itself a load of times
what on earth is going on????
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If it runs for a certain amount of time then shutsdown, the cpu may be overheating. You could have dust in your computer. Read how to get rid of dust from your CPU Fan here http://www.tips4pc.com/Articles/Computer%20Maintenance/computer_maintenance.htm (http://www.tips4pc.com/Articles/Computer%20Maintenance/computer_maintenance.htm) When computers have a dust build up they usually start working again when they are cooled down.
I hope it is dust, because it is easy to fix.
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Click Here (http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,33586.html)
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i know that patio but i ddnt think that stuff wud help with this
noted for future reference anyway
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When did the issue start occurring? Did you recently install a program, new hardware device, or visit a web page?
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i know that patio but i ddnt think that stuff wud help with this
noted for future reference anyway
"That stuff" helps everytime...
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ok so update on the problem
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
im running XP Pro
intel 3.2ghz
1gb RAM
cant remember what mobo.
not sure if this is relavant but i clicked on a link of Facebook and firefox told me that it was a dodgy link and wudnt let me go to it.......?
i hav no idea what is going on
oh and when i turn it on, there are some noices, not loud which were definately not there before, just before it turns off
i cant even access thr bios to see if something is running too hot!
HELP!!!
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could i possibly have a dodgy power supply
i have had the computer for about 9months
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Best way to find out is to borrow one of the same or greater wattage and swap it in there...
If you do replace it do yourself a big favor and don't buy one of those 20 dollar specials...
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ok so big update
with prompting from my friend, i put my master HDD with XP on it into another working pc and when i selected which bootscreen to use (it always asks me) it went to the windows loading window then the computer restarted itself!!!
i pressed f8 and tried to boot in safe mode. it went thorugh all those lines of code if u no what i mean then restarted!!!
wot is up with my HDD!!
should i buy another HDD???
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Unfortunately when you place the HDD from one computer into another computer it's possible for you to encounter conflictions and various other issues because Windows will detect and try to install all the hardware it detects in the computer.
You can try booting the computer into Safe Mode ( http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm ) and see if the computer powers off. I'm betting it wont.
Otherwise I think right now the best solution would be to put the hard drive back into your computer, make sure all your fans in the computer are working (bad fans can overheat the computer and cause it to turn off) re-install Windows in your computer, if you continue to experience issues with your computer turning off then I'd imagine it's a power supply issue and I'd suggest either trying a new power supply from a friend or simply purchasing a new power supply at equal or greater wattage.
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i see what u mean
on the original pc, i cant even get to the safe mode boot menu (it powers off b4 i get there)
is there some way that i can save all the data on my HDD b4 i reinstall windows.. (i dnt have a backup, stupidly enough)
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Can you get into Safe mode?
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nop
i cant even that far
it turns off b4 i get there
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Well in that case if the computer is turning off that early try replacing the Power Supply and see if you can get it into safe mode. Also as I mentioned earlier make sure all heat sink, case fans, etc. are working in the computer as it could be overheating.
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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
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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"?
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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?
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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
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i was wondering what that stuff was!!
What stuff? Where? On the surface between the CPU and the heat sink?
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yes that stuff
i wasnt sure what it was
ive never taken a CPU fan off b4, never had to
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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
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thanx
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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"?
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Try This...[/u] (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=tech
[u)
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"Sorry, the page you requested is not available"
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Try Here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421&sd=tech)
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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!
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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.
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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
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Well to narrow it down i would suggest disconnecting everything, harddrive, dvd, cdrom, remove soundcard, and Graphics card, so all you have left is the motherboard, ram, cpu and heatsink and fan. I would then boot the computer to see if it stayed on. If it does stay on then i would shut down and add one thing at a time, like dvd ect. If however, it shuts down with only these few thing connected then it is one of these things causing the problem.
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i have a new PSU ( i needed a new one anyway cos it wasnt high enough voltage)
ok so i got it today and connected evrything (as far as i know)
i disconnected everythin (inc main HDD) and tried to turn it on,
it lasted about 30sec before starting to make quiet noises then turned off.
please note, i did NOT apply thermal paste as i dont have any (is it essential?)
i am absolutley stumped and i am despairing about it.
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please note, i did NOT apply thermal paste as i dont have any (is it essential?)
i am absolutley stumped and i am despairing about it.
Yes...
Thermal Paste Instructions (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.arcticsilver.com/instructions.htm&sa=X&oi=smap&resnum=2&ct=result&cd=2&usg=AFQjCNFKwxoUQyHpZWBVKLQ6St-Ie32HnQ)
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just to note, i bought thermal paste but have not applied it yet because it took my PC to a repair shop and am awaiting a response from them.
thanx for all your help and i will let u know what the outcome was.
thanks
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Just a note.
i sent my computer to a repair shop.
they told me that they cudnt do it bcos they said that the heatsink had been removed with force and that he wudnt boot it up for fear of the CPU dying.
i got the computer back and he had bent the feet of the heatsink as if the "pirate" had tried to force it back into place
i took it home and bent the feet back and applied more thermal paste and put the fan in properly
and HEY PRESTO!!!!!
it lives!!!!!!!!
thanx so much for all ur help guys, its much appreciated!!!