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Thread ID: 106023 2009-12-22 08:10:00 Computer switches off randomly gradebdan (2186) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
842308 2009-12-22 08:10:00 I can be working on my computer and then about once a day it will switch itself off and then restart. This happens whether I am on the internet or just the comp. This can happen on any program I am working on. Does anyone have any clues about what might be beginning to fail please? gradebdan (2186)
842309 2009-12-22 08:14:00 Is it like a normal shutdown with the shutdown screen etc, or does it instantly just turn off, as if there has been a power cut? Blam (54)
842310 2009-12-22 08:18:00 Hi Blam. It's like it's been switched off at the wall. There are no shut down screens. Just goes black instantly then restarts normally. gradebdan (2186)
842311 2009-12-22 08:30:00 Hmmm...likely that the CPU is overheating, or the PSU is going crazy:p

www.almico.com

Download speedfan and see what the CPU temps are, or check in your BIOS if you can.

Might want to buy a cheap can of compressed air(Dick Smith Electronics) and clean out the innards of the desktop PC to, probably clogged wth dust(which can cause overheating)

Blam
Blam (54)
842312 2009-12-22 08:38:00 Getting late now but will do a cleanup of the innards tomorrow. gradebdan (2186)
842313 2009-12-22 19:37:00 Another sign of overheating if thats the case, is it wont start up right away again, you have to leave it a few minutes to cool down. wainuitech (129)
842314 2009-12-22 20:29:00 It always restarts straightaway. gradebdan (2186)
842315 2009-12-22 21:44:00 That sounds like the ram.
Test the ram memory with memtest:
www.memtest86.com
Tbird650 (6754)
842316 2009-12-22 22:11:00 more common is PSU failure. sometimes you can hear a squeak from the PSU just before it crashes.

also is the auto restart turned off?
tweak'e (69)
842317 2009-12-23 07:14:00 I took the comp. apart and found most of the "breather holes" around the outside of the case were blocked up, used the vacuum on the outside and the DSE air can around the fans. Will give it another go now. Looked at MEMTEST but wasn't sure I could manage to drive it correctly so left it. gradebdan (2186)
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