Computer problem

[spiderfrommars]

My computer keeps switching itself off!
Then sometimes it won't switch on!

Is it some kind of standby mode?

Got any tips?

[Gekigengar]

Might be.

To check for auto off:

1: Right Click your desktop and select properties.
2: Choose the screensaver tab
3: Click the power button
4: Choose the time when your computer should turn off

You can disable the auto off feature if you wish.

If nothing happens and your computer works just fine... then your ok.

If hardare problem.

1: How old is your computer
2: What hardware have you recently installed?

*** If you don't have an electronic device tester, or don't know how to read one (like me)... try this.
a: If new hardware are installed ensure they are tightly fit.
b: If computer still turns itself off automatically take out newly installed components prior to shut down problems.
c: Install each piece individually per power on
***

3: All internal and external wires connected?
4: What is the current wattage for your computer?
a: If there are too much hardware pieces installed and not enough power then there is a good chance you might have power issues.

Use this page: http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ to determine the amount of power needed to run your computer based on the processor types.

Hope this helps.

Remeber Win 95 = Plug and Pray, Windows XP = Plug and Play (not much Pray)

[Denyer]

sometimes it won't switch on!

Could be a dodgy power supply. Could be as simple as the BIOS battery wanting replacing (they only last a few years; standard large watch-type battery.)

Rule out other conflicts first, though.

[spiderfrommars]

Might be.

To check for auto off:

1: Right Click your desktop and select properties.
2: Choose the screensaver tab
3: Click the power button
4: Choose the time when your computer should turn off

Ok. I've now tried this. Now, I've selected 'Never' for both 'turn off monitor' and 'turn off hard disks'.

Sadly the comp is still switching itself off after about 10-15 mins.



Now, I think this happened once before a couple of years back, and Karly suggested I go to the SETUP screen whilst the computer started up, and change some settings there. Does that sound right?

[spiderfrommars]

You can disable the auto off feature if you wish.

Where do I find this?

[spiderfrommars]

If hardare problem.

1: How old is your computer
2: What hardware have you recently installed?

*** If you don't have an electronic device tester, or don't know how to read one (like me)... try this.
a: If new hardware are installed ensure they are tightly fit.
b: If computer still turns itself off automatically take out newly installed components prior to shut down problems.
c: Install each piece individually per power on
***

3: All internal and external wires connected?
4: What is the current wattage for your computer?
a: If there are too much hardware pieces installed and not enough power then there is a good chance you might have power issues.

Haven't installed any new hardware recently, so I'm not sure why it should start doing this now.

[Denyer]

Component failure and overheating? I've had one PSU wear out, with the fan dying noisily, and one motherboard succumb to periodic lock-ups (presumably due to bad capacitors...)

Are the fans/guts of the machine getting clogged with dust? What temperatures are you reading? http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

As a last resort, check your capacitors: http://badcaps.net/ident/

[Legion]

Hate to say it, but it might just be something as "simple" as a virus. If memory serves me right, there was one doing the rounds a little while ago (the Sasser worm?) that shut down peoples computers... might be worth trying to do a full virus scan before the bugger shuts down.

[Denyer]

That gave a visual indication that the system was shutting down, IIRC.

One other thought: a corrupt graphics card driver clashing with something could cause periodic reboots.

The "won't switch on" bit is what makes me think hardware, and specifically overheating.

[Legion]

Hmmm, good point!