Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: fsngnshiekfan on June 09, 2008, 07:02:29 PM

Title: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 09, 2008, 07:02:29 PM
I can't find any relation to the occurences, it shuts down when its working hard or not at all, 4 hours after start to 2 minutes, though it usually shuts down 1/2 hour afterwards, I play World of Warcraft a lot and it shuts down then mostly, but that may be because I play it 80% of the time on my computer, I've been on my computer now for and hour and a half, and it still hasn't shut down, please help is you can, I cant afford another computer or a repair. My computer is just over a year old, so I wouldn't think it would have any problems besides viruses.

Thank You
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on June 09, 2008, 07:57:29 PM
Cause may be overheating...hard to tell.

When's the last time you used a can of compressed air to clean the dust and debris from this Toshiba?
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 04:10:14 AM
I suggest downloading Speedfan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php). It will read out the temperatures of your computer.

If you would please post the temperatures when the computer is idle and again when you are about 15-30 minutes into a game (like WoW).
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 04:46:52 AM
As I said, there isn't any relations to the shutdowns, sometimes it's fairly hot and others its cool. I've never cleaned the computer thoroughly I mean there isn't dust all over it but it isn't clean, could the dust and debris (We have a dog with short hard hairs that sheds a lot too) cause problems to the computer? Please explain. I'll try that with Speedfan but WoW is down today 5am-11am and I have to work at 11 and wont be back till 3:30pm-4:30pm I will regulate the temperature of WoW then.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 04:56:04 AM
OK... can you tell me how to read speedfan? I don't have a clue with things such as these. ???
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 05:00:09 AM
It should look something like this

(http://www.fileupyours.com/files/185178/speedf.JPG)
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 05:11:28 AM
At Idle:
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff275/fsngnshiekfan/fanspeed.jpg?t=1213096164)
I will post the fan speed while playing WoW later.
(Tell me if this is incorrectly recorded)
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 05:17:10 AM
GASP that is really hot, especially for Idle.

Here is another test that will confirm if this is an overheating problem or not.
Get an external fan (like a tower fan or something) and have it blow at the computer to bring down the temperature. See if the computer stays on like this.

(http://www.fileupyours.com/files/151662/30_2359159.jpg)
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 05:42:43 AM
OK... our house just got flooded so all our fans are hard at work, It'll be a little while before I get one, so Bear with me.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 05:58:33 AM
Quote
our house just got flooded
Argh. I hope nothing is damaged. Anyways, take your time. We will be here.  ;) ;)
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: friny on June 10, 2008, 06:04:16 AM
try to turn off the overclocking mode while you solve the overheating issue
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 06:06:11 AM
Thanks for your concern. Anyways, what is the overclocking mode? I'm a real idiot with computer hardware and such.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 06:09:02 AM
try to turn off the overclocking mode while you solve the overheating issue
If his computer is being overclocked.

Overclocking is basically overclocking your processor, e.g, making it faster.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/o/overcloc.htm

If this shutting down problem is recent, it is possible you have installed something that is eating at your processor power or one of your fans is faulty.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on June 10, 2008, 06:14:19 AM
As I said, there isn't any relations to the shutdowns, sometimes it's fairly hot and others its cool. I've never cleaned the computer thoroughly I mean there isn't dust all over it but it isn't clean, could the dust and debris (We have a dog with short hard hairs that sheds a lot too) cause problems to the computer? Please explain. I'll try that with Speedfan but WoW is down today 5am-11am and I have to work at 11 and wont be back till 3:30pm-4:30pm I will regulate the temperature of WoW then.

Dust, debris, pet hair, dander, etc., etc.,...can contribute to a computer overheating.  It does appear your computer is overdue for a good cleaning.

Also...you just stated...due to flooding...all the fans in your home are currently being used.

It sounds like your computer may not be in an appropriate environment to function properly.  High humidity, dampness...not good.  Your computer needs to be operating in a dry cool environment to prevent overheating.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 07:09:15 AM
My computer has been doing this for months, the flooding happened a few days ago, the flooding has NOTHING to do with this. How do you clean your computer properly, and can you hire anyone to do it? And is it possible to check the state of your computer fans?
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 07:10:08 AM
Oh and I have not overclocked my computer.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on June 10, 2008, 07:19:27 AM
As I stated before in my previous post at the beginning of this thread...you can use a can of compressed air to clean the inside of your computer.

It is recommended you turn it off and disconnect all cables.  Open the case...if possible...and use the compressed air to blow out any debris from inside the computer.  DO NOT USE A VACUUM CLEANER.

Be careful around fans...if you use compressed air around fans...you may ruin the bearings if you cause them to spin faster than they were meant to.

When cleaning...pay close attention to dust that has a tendency to cling to heatsinks.  Sometimes, compressed air will not remove the accumulation around heat sinks, because the heat has caused it to stick.  Myself...I use a toothpick to gingerly loosen this dust and then compressed air to remove the loosened dust.  Others may use a paintbrush...just depends on the person...or who gives you the advice.

Just be careful while working inside the computer.  Protect it from ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) by wearing a wrist strap meant for this purpose...or keep yourself grounded at all times, by touching the exposed metal of the computer case.

As far as the weather goes...I was only making note that high humidity and dampness are not good for computers.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: brett74 on June 10, 2008, 07:24:23 AM
take the side of the case off and blow the inside out like saviour said:) You can get a can of compressed air for about 3 or 4 dollars at radio shack.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 07:32:17 AM
Can you hire someone to do it for you? I don't want to mess up my computer with my own clumsiness. :P
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 07:33:45 AM
How about going outside and using a strong fan to blow at it.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 07:38:59 AM
A fan is blowing on it right now, we actually don't have any strong fans, the ones clearing out the flooding aren't ours.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 07:49:43 AM
I meant instead of using a compressed air canister.  :P
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 08:05:30 AM
Oh, ok so what should I do about the problem, is it overheating due to dirtyness? Or what?
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: stevejohnson1958 on June 10, 2008, 08:15:07 AM
Since we cannot physically see the inside of your computer...we can't answer that question.

Based on the information you've provided us...yes, that could be one of the problems.  The trick, here, is to rule out one probable cause...and move on to the next.

If you're not comfortable working on the inside of a computer...then you can have someone perform this for you.  Once it's done...and you're still experiencing the same issue, we can move on to the next probable cause.

It appears you're not comfortable doing this due to...and I quote you...your "clumsiness"...then I highly recommend you have someone who knows a little more about computers do it for you...or take it to a PC repair shop...and have them diagnose it for you....giving you an estimate as to what it would cost to repair...


Best of luck...

Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: fsngnshiekfan on June 10, 2008, 08:41:06 AM
Thank you all for the information.  Hopefully I can get this thing fixed.
Title: Re: My Toshiba, Windows Vista is randomly shutting down.
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on June 10, 2008, 08:42:58 AM
Just remember where we are if you have more questions.  ;)