My computer keeps shutting off by itself

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 09:49 PM

Hi, i'm new here and I was wondering if anyone can help me. The last 2 months I guess my computer has been shutting off by itself randomly and for no reason that I can see. The last few weeks its been doing it more and more. I don't seem to have any viruses but i've noticed that when I play games on the computer like tetris and things like that its too much and it shuts off. Just a few minutes ago it shut off 3 times and I wasn't doing anything but my scanner was scanning and that seems to set it off too. Is there anything I can do now before its too late and I have to spend a ton of money to get it fixed? I've heard it could be the power supply and i've heard that it could be my motherboard and from what i've seen they cost an arm and leg.
Thanks in advance

Vikingod · Feb 8, 2006, 10:08 PM

Welcome to DH cdvegan.

First, give us some specs of your computer. Tell us what your motherboard and processor are, how much RAM, what OS, video card, hard-drive, and any other relevant information. Also, make sure your drivers are up to date, as that is a common problem, and make sure nothing is overclocked.

You may also want to check the temperatures of your system. There are plenty of programs available, do a Google search for the easiest one for you. Blowing out your computer with compressed air may solve heat related issues. Also a spyware scan isn't a bad place to start. It really could be a ton of things, people here are always willing to help.

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingod

Welcome to DH cdvegan.

First, give us some specs of your computer. Tell us what your motherboard and processor are, how much RAM, what OS, video card, hard-drive, and any other relevant information. Also, make sure your drivers are up to date, as that is a common problem, and make sure nothing is overclocked.

You may also want to check the temperatures of your system. There are plenty of programs available, do a Google search for the easiest one for you. Blowing out your computer with compressed air may solve heat related issues. Also a spyware scan isn't a bad place to start. It really could be a ton of things, people here are always willing to help.

Well, where would I find what my motherboard and processor are...and how much RAM I have and the hard drive. I do know that I have windows xp and my drivers are up to date as far as I know. I've never taken apart a computer before or really worked inside of one so I don't know where most of this stuff is or where to find it. I'm sorry, these must be dumb questions

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 10:25 PM

I think i've found something...I looked around in the control panel and it says that my UPS is currently stopped. Could that do something?

Vikingod · Feb 8, 2006, 10:27 PM

http://www.sisoftware.net/

Try SisSandra, its will tell you what your components are, and even allow you to bench them a bit.

I'm guessing your computer is from Dell/HP or something? If so, tell us the model number. It can usually be found right on the front of the case.

Also, don't feel stupid for asking any question. You won't hear anything bad from people here, its a pretty friendly group of people.

Vikingod · Feb 8, 2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdvegan

I think i've found something...I looked around in the control panel and it says that my UPS is currently stopped. Could that do something?

A UPS is an Uninteruptable Power Supply. If you don't have one, it should be disabled.

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 10:30 PM

I have a compaq 5000 , its about 4 years old now. Also what do I do with the sandra thing, just download it?

Vikingod · Feb 8, 2006, 10:35 PM

A comp that old, that has never been cleaned out, I'm guessing its a heat issue. Open it up, get a can of compress air, and blow the hell out of it. Use a vacuum if you have to (careful not to static shock anything) to get rid of the dust. Get the dust out of the power supply as well. Also, and I hate to give this advice, if you have never reformated after 4 years, it is time. If you don't know how to reformat, do a search of the forums, there is tons of information on that sort of stuff, as well as backing things up.

niceguyrichy · Feb 8, 2006, 11:11 PM

yeah, format first , ask questions later

seriously, I'm lucky to get through 4 months without formating, so if you've managed 4 years you're doing well.

and don't be scared to ask stupid questions cdvegan, we've had it all before (mostly from me

)

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 11:12 PM

Ok, i'm afraid that i could hurt myself doing that but i'll try it. Thanks for all your help

cdvegan · Feb 8, 2006, 11:17 PM

Actually, I think it has been reformatted before or a few times. I've had a lot of problems the last year with viruses and I lost everything when I got it fixed. Could it have been reformatted then?

niceguyrichy · Feb 8, 2006, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdvegan

Actually, I think it has been reformatted before or a few times. I've had a lot of problems the last year with viruses and I lost everything when I got it fixed. Could it have been reformatted then?

yeah , maybe.

it would help to know more about it, try belarc advisor :
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

just install, run, and post what it tells you about your pc

swimtech · Feb 9, 2006, 12:10 AM

For a more informative model number, you could look on the back or maybe behind the front CD cover door on the bottom half of the front panel and give us the long form model number of the unit - should be something like this: 5WV261. That happens to be my model actually...

And if you have upgraded anything during the past four years (as memory serves you, and from what the Belarc advisor tells you), please let us know...

PangingJr · Feb 9, 2006, 02:49 PM

the system aborts and just shuts itselt down? or, the system aborts then followed by a restart?
without any error messages, system event logs or system aborts warning messages, it could be anything really. even though the unexpected restarts and/or shutdowns are usually indicative of failing hardwares, PSU issue, CPU overheating, other parts or the whole system was overheated. but the drivers installed on your system can also be causing this problem and it’s not easy to pinpoint what drivers causes the system to become unstable like this. and i wouldn't surprise if you've found out that the actual caused of this problem is computer viruses. anyway, all of the good advices have already been passed along here.

cdvegan · Feb 9, 2006, 07:39 PM

Operating System System ModelWindows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Compaq 5410US C01EDABB
System Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YS
Asset Tag: 3D21KKLLE0YS
Chassis Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YSProcessor a Main Circuit Board b1.30 gigahertz Intel Celeron
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Compaq 07A8h
Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YS
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Compaq 686P9 v1.04 11/14/2001Drives Memory Modules c,d40.01 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
26.60 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

COMPAQ DVD-ROM GDR8160B [CD-ROM drive]
HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8240B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

Maxtor 4D040H2 [Hard drive] (40.02 GB) -- drive 0, s/n D22J9V4E, rev DAH017K0, [color=#0000ff]SMART[/color] Status: Healthy 256 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'XMM1' has 256 MB (serial number 0D607237)
Slot 'XMM2' is Empty Local Drive Volumes c: (NTFS on drive 0)35.83 GB25.53 GB freed: (FAT32 on drive 0)4.18 GB1.07 GB free Network Drives None detectedUsers (mouse over user name for details) Printerslocal user accountslast logonhttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil...#91;/img] Dove2/9/2006 12:23:41 PM(admin)local system accountshttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil... Administratornever(admin)http://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil...1;/img] ASPNETneverhttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil...91;/img] Guestneverhttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil... HelpAssistantneverhttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil...PPORT_388945a0neverhttp://[img]file:///C|/Program%20Fil...PPORT_b326ad0cnever
[img]file:///C|/Program%20Files/Belarc/Advisor/System/local/images/no.gif[/img] Marks a disabled account; [img]file:///C|/Program%20Files/Belarc/Advisor/System/local/images/lock.gif[/img] Marks a locked account Amyuni Document Converter 2.10on LPT1:EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Serieson USB001HP PSC 750on DOT4_001

cdvegan · Feb 9, 2006, 07:39 PM

Controllers DisplayStandard floppy disk controller
Intel(r) 82801BA Bus Master IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Intel(R) 82815 Graphics Controller [Display adapter]
CTX 1451 [Monitor] (12.4"vis, October 1996)Bus Adapters MultimediaIntel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442
Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio ControllerCommunications Other DevicesPCTEL Platinum V.90 Modem

SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI (SMC1211TX)[color=green] primary [/color] APIPA Address: 169.254.142.186 / 16Physical Address: 00:30:F1:2D:0E:A4WAN Network DriverIP Address: 70.251.102.105 / 32Gateway: 70.251.102.105Physical Address: 00:53:45:00:00:00Networking Dns Servers: 68.94.156.1
68.94.157.1 HID-compliant consumer control device (2x)
HID-compliant device (6x)
USB Human Interface Device (2x)
Compaq USB Keyboard
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
USB Composite Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (2x)Virus Protection [[color=#800080]Back to Top[/color]] BitDefender 8.0 Professional Plus Version 7.2 Realtime File Scanning OnAVG Anti-Virus 7.1.375 Version 7.1.375 Realtime File Scanning On

cdvegan · Feb 9, 2006, 07:42 PM

PangingJr · Feb 9, 2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdvegan

BitDefender 8.0 Professional Plus Version 7.2 Realtime File Scanning On

AVG Anti-Virus 7.1.375 Version 7.1.375 Realtime File Scanning On

try removing one of the AV programs.
or turn off the Realtime File Scanning on one of them.

Yousaif · Feb 10, 2006, 11:20 AM

Somebody get into his last post and remove his license keys.

cdvegan · Feb 10, 2006, 04:39 PM

What?

Vikingod · Feb 10, 2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdvegan

What?

You should go and delete the "Software Lisences" post, its not needed and is giving away your lisence keys for products.

Al_Vampyre · Feb 10, 2006, 05:59 PM

I would run chkdsk as well, I've been having random reboot issues recently and it turned out to be the HDD. Especially if they seem to be getting more frequent...

cdvegan · Feb 10, 2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al_Vampyre

I would run chkdsk as well, I've been having random reboot issues recently and it turned out to be the HDD. Especially if they seem to be getting more frequent...

How do you do that?

cdvegan · Feb 11, 2006, 02:54 AM

OK, it shut off again and this time there was a black screen that said that something is wrong with the hard drives. Is it worth saving it and taking it to someone that can fix it or should I just try to find another one?

cdvegan · Feb 12, 2006, 02:30 AM

anyone?

swimtech · Feb 12, 2006, 07:56 AM

I would try making an Ultimate Boot Disk and running the Powermax drive utility by Maxtor, contained on the Disk, to check your drive with. There are two versions on the Disk - use the later (higher number) version available via a link in the DH forums HERE. You can download the .iso from the link at the top of the first post in the thread and use your burner to make the bootable CD.

It's got a lot of other very useful utilities on it too...

PangingJr has also taken a lot of time and put a lot of effort into explaining about drive partitioning there, among other things, if you're interested.

Feb 8, 2006, 09:49 PM	#1
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	My computer keeps shutting off by itself Hi, i'm new here and I was wondering if anyone can help me. The last 2 months I guess my computer has been shutting off by itself randomly and for no reason that I can see. The last few weeks its been doing it more and more. I don't seem to have any viruses but i've noticed that when I play games on the computer like tetris and things like that its too much and it shuts off. Just a few minutes ago it shut off 3 times and I wasn't doing anything but my scanner was scanning and that seems to set it off too. Is there anything I can do now before its too late and I have to spend a ton of money to get it fixed? I've heard it could be the power supply and i've heard that it could be my motherboard and from what i've seen they cost an arm and leg. Thanks in advance

Feb 8, 2006, 10:08 PM	#2
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Welcome to DH cdvegan. First, give us some specs of your computer. Tell us what your motherboard and processor are, how much RAM, what OS, video card, hard-drive, and any other relevant information. Also, make sure your drivers are up to date, as that is a common problem, and make sure nothing is overclocked. You may also want to check the temperatures of your system. There are plenty of programs available, do a Google search for the easiest one for you. Blowing out your computer with compressed air may solve heat related issues. Also a spyware scan isn't a bad place to start. It really could be a ton of things, people here are always willing to help. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Feb 8, 2006, 10:27 PM	#5
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	http://www.sisoftware.net/ Try SisSandra, its will tell you what your components are, and even allow you to bench them a bit. I'm guessing your computer is from Dell/HP or something? If so, tell us the model number. It can usually be found right on the front of the case. Also, don't feel stupid for asking any question. You won't hear anything bad from people here, its a pretty friendly group of people. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Feb 9, 2006, 12:10 AM	#13
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	For a more informative model number, you could look on the back or maybe behind the front CD cover door on the bottom half of the front panel and give us the long form model number of the unit - should be something like this: 5WV261. That happens to be my model actually... And if you have upgraded anything during the past four years (as memory serves you, and from what the Belarc advisor tells you), please let us know... __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Feb 9, 2006, 07:42 PM	Thread Starter #17
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Last edited by cdvegan; Feb 10, 2006 at 09:14 PM.

Feb 8, 2006, 10:25 PM	Thread Starter #4
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	I think i've found something...I looked around in the control panel and it says that my UPS is currently stopped. Could that do something?

Feb 8, 2006, 10:30 PM	Thread Starter #7
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	I have a compaq 5000 , its about 4 years old now. Also what do I do with the sandra thing, just download it?

Feb 8, 2006, 10:35 PM	#8
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	A comp that old, that has never been cleaned out, I'm guessing its a heat issue. Open it up, get a can of compress air, and blow the hell out of it. Use a vacuum if you have to (careful not to static shock anything) to get rid of the dust. Get the dust out of the power supply as well. Also, and I hate to give this advice, if you have never reformated after 4 years, it is time. If you don't know how to reformat, do a search of the forums, there is tons of information on that sort of stuff, as well as backing things up. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Feb 8, 2006, 11:12 PM	Thread Starter #10
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Ok, i'm afraid that i could hurt myself doing that but i'll try it. Thanks for all your help

Feb 8, 2006, 11:17 PM	Thread Starter #11
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Actually, I think it has been reformatted before or a few times. I've had a lot of problems the last year with viruses and I lost everything when I got it fixed. Could it have been reformatted then?

Feb 9, 2006, 02:49 PM	#14
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 69	the system aborts and just shuts itselt down? or, the system aborts then followed by a restart? without any error messages, system event logs or system aborts warning messages, it could be anything really. even though the unexpected restarts and/or shutdowns are usually indicative of failing hardwares, PSU issue, CPU overheating, other parts or the whole system was overheated. but the drivers installed on your system can also be causing this problem and it’s not easy to pinpoint what drivers causes the system to become unstable like this. and i wouldn't surprise if you've found out that the actual caused of this problem is computer viruses. anyway, all of the good advices have already been passed along here.

Feb 9, 2006, 07:39 PM	Thread Starter #15
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Operating System System ModelWindows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Compaq 5410US C01EDABB System Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YS Asset Tag: 3D21KKLLE0YS Chassis Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YSProcessor a Main Circuit Board b1.30 gigahertz Intel Celeron 32 kilobyte primary memory cache 256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Compaq 07A8h Serial Number: 3D21KKLLE0YS Bus Clock: 100 megahertz BIOS: Compaq 686P9 v1.04 11/14/2001Drives Memory Modules c,d40.01 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity 26.60 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space COMPAQ DVD-ROM GDR8160B [CD-ROM drive] HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8240B [CD-ROM drive] 3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive] Maxtor 4D040H2 [Hard drive] (40.02 GB) -- drive 0, s/n D22J9V4E, rev DAH017K0, [color=#0000ff]SMART[/color] Status: Healthy 256 Megabytes Installed Memory Slot 'XMM1' has 256 MB (serial number 0D607237) Slot 'XMM2' is Empty Local Drive Volumes c: (NTFS on drive 0)35.83 GB25.53 GB freed: (FAT32 on drive 0)4.18 GB1.07 GB free Network Drives None detectedUsers (mouse over user name for details) Printerslocal user accountslast logonhttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil...#91;/img] Dove2/9/2006 12:23:41 PM(admin)local system accountshttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil... Administratornever(admin)http://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil...1;/img] ASPNETneverhttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil...91;/img] Guestneverhttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil... HelpAssistantneverhttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil...PPORT_388945a0neverhttp://[img]file:///C\|/Program%20Fil...PPORT_b326ad0cnever [img]file:///C\|/Program%20Files/Belarc/Advisor/System/local/images/no.gif[/img] Marks a disabled account; [img]file:///C\|/Program%20Files/Belarc/Advisor/System/local/images/lock.gif[/img] Marks a locked account Amyuni Document Converter 2.10on LPT1:EPSON Stylus Photo R220 Serieson USB001HP PSC 750on DOT4_001

Feb 9, 2006, 07:39 PM	Thread Starter #16
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Controllers DisplayStandard floppy disk controller Intel(r) 82801BA Bus Master IDE Controller Primary IDE Channel [Controller] Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Intel(R) 82815 Graphics Controller [Display adapter] CTX 1451 [Monitor] (12.4"vis, October 1996)Bus Adapters MultimediaIntel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2442 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller - 2444 Intel(r) 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio ControllerCommunications Other DevicesPCTEL Platinum V.90 Modem SMC EZ Card 10/100 PCI (SMC1211TX)[color=green] primary [/color] APIPA Address: 169.254.142.186 / 16Physical Address: 00:30:F1:2D:0E:A4WAN Network DriverIP Address: 70.251.102.105 / 32Gateway: 70.251.102.105Physical Address: 00:53:45:00:00:00Networking Dns Servers: 68.94.156.1 68.94.157.1 HID-compliant consumer control device (2x) HID-compliant device (6x) USB Human Interface Device (2x) Compaq USB Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard PS/2 Compatible Mouse USB Composite Device USB Printing Support USB Root Hub (2x)Virus Protection [[color=#800080]Back to Top[/color]] BitDefender 8.0 Professional Plus Version 7.2 Realtime File Scanning OnAVG Anti-Virus 7.1.375 Version 7.1.375 Realtime File Scanning On

Feb 10, 2006, 04:39 PM	Thread Starter #20
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	What?

Feb 10, 2006, 05:59 PM	#22
Al_Vampyre HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Scotland Posts: 1,532 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	I would run chkdsk as well, I've been having random reboot issues recently and it turned out to be the HDD. Especially if they seem to be getting more frequent... __________________ "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad" - Brian O'Driscoll - Ireland Rugby Team 2009 Grand Slam winning Captain.

Feb 11, 2006, 02:54 AM	Thread Starter #24
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	OK, it shut off again and this time there was a black screen that said that something is wrong with the hard drives. Is it worth saving it and taking it to someone that can fix it or should I just try to find another one?

Feb 12, 2006, 02:30 AM	Thread Starter #25
cdvegan DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	anyone?

Feb 12, 2006, 07:56 AM	#26
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	I would try making an Ultimate Boot Disk and running the Powermax drive utility by Maxtor, contained on the Disk, to check your drive with. There are two versions on the Disk - use the later (higher number) version available via a link in the DH forums HERE. You can download the .iso from the link at the top of the first post in the thread and use your burner to make the bootable CD. It's got a lot of other very useful utilities on it too... PangingJr has also taken a lot of time and put a lot of effort into explaining about drive partitioning there, among other things, if you're interested. __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.