desktop comp. just shuts down

I'll try to explain this so you can understand. I have a desktop computer that I built a couple of years ago, I'm now having an issue where the thing makes a loud pop through the speakers then just shuts off. It doesn't go through it's shut down sequence, it just shuts down like you unplugged it. Also other times the whole thing just locks up. It will not even shut down with the power button on the front. When it does lock up, you can give it a rap on the top of the case and it shuts off. It does make a sound as if the power was fluctuating. It will sound normal then sound as if the fans are slowing or under load. Any ideas, power supply? main board going bad?

I dont use it alot, but would like it to work properly as my 6 yr old uses it. Any help would be great. Thanks.

Jeff

Not enough details to do a proper diagnosis, but I'd start by replacing the power supply, they are cheap enuf these days. If you look in Event Viewer at the System Logs, you may actually see a failure error about the issue.

Edit: Check to make sure all the fans are free of dust, and theres no dust build-up on the heat sinks. This could be causing an Overheat issue, which will shutdown the PC. You will see an error messege in the System Logs, if this is the case.

Ever clean it? Typically when a computer shuts off instantly it's overheating. You can get utilities for displaying CPU temp, you might have one. You can boot to bios too which will display it. Should probably be around 30 degrees idling but that will vary... Max varies too, I think once you get by the 50 to 60 degree threshold is when most will shut down. It's safety feature so you don't fry the CPU.

Solution is to open the case up and blow the dust out particularly the heat sink for the CPU.

Be sure to unplug everything first including all peripherals. Once you open case touch a metal part of the case before touching anything inside the computer, this will discharge any static electricity. One zzzzzzzzzt, and you can probably kiss it goodbye.

Richard S. wrote:Ever clean it? Typically when a computer shuts off instantly it's overheating. You can get utilities for displaying CPU temp, you might have one. You can boot to bios too which will display it. Should probably be around 30 degrees idling but that will vary... Max varies too, I think once you get by the 50 to 60 degree threshold is when most will shut down. It's safety feature so you don't fry the CPU.

Solution is to open the case up and blow the dust out particularly the heat sink for the CPU.

Be sure to unplug everything first including all peripherals. Once you open case touch a metal part of the case before touching anything inside the computer, this will discharge any static electricity. One zzzzzzzzzt, and you can probably kiss it goodbye.

Bingo, the boss nailed it, a heat issue. Atleast with the info given. My guess is PS is overheating.

Richard S. wrote:Solution is to open the case up and blow the dust out particularly the heat sink for the CPU.

As Rich said take the covers of and blow it out with an air hose "DO IT OUTSIDE" you should do this at very least once a year.

I wouldn't be using air hose unless you have moisture control. Not sure exactly what the name is but they have filters for doing this usually for painting. My brother has one on his but he does woodwork.

They do sell cans of compressed air for this, be careful with the cans too as the air is extremely cold. Don't hold it too close to anything.

You'd need one of these on the air line: http://www.tptools.com/p/2727,110_Combination-Water-Separator-Air-Regulator.html

I just shop vac them.

Can of Air will work fine. $5

coaledsweat wrote:I just shop vac them.

You're playing with fire if you're doing that inside the case. That creates static electricity.... zzzzzzzzzt. No more computer.

Doesn't take much. I killed a mouse once. It appeared to go between the two buttons when I touched it. No more mouse.

Techs usually wear a special bracelet however touching your finger to the case should be just as good.

I'll double check to see how much dust is in there. I do clean it at least 1X per year and I just had it apart about a 2 months ago when I was loading an operating system on my sister in laws hard drive. My SIL decided to get a laptop after that. I had just installed a new power supply on hers a couple of months before that. I will make sure its clean and that the CPU fan is working properly and also swap out power supplies if needed. Thanks.

Jeff