computer shutting down, ideas?

[archimedian]

I have a computer that is randomly shutting down. It seems to do this when in full screen video (if I run a game, or if I play a video clip in full screen). It shuts down after playing a video clip for a few minutes, but it is instant when a game goes in full screen mode. It also shuts down when I try to install linux on it, or when I tried running the XP recovery disk on it (for another reason).

Any ideas what hardware problem is causing this? I had the problem happen when I was using the PCI graphics card as well as when I was using the onboard graphics card (with the PCI graphics card removed).

Thanks!

 

[Eteq]

Can you post your system specs? I know I've seen this happen on a couple mobos if the North Bridge is getting too hot, so I'd particularly want to know what kind of mobo you have...

 

[Tango57]

it sounds like a video card problem but some of the things you said you were doing on your pc when it shutdown are also cpu intensive processess and it could be a heating problem.

 

[altonb1]

Are you running Norton SystemWorks? I was plagues by random reboots for months until i finally just decided to reinstall XP. It was great until I put Norton on again, then the reboots began again. I now use mcAfee VirusScan.

if you have Norton, I would remove it, including registry entries and files in ALL USERS profile and Program files/common files and see what happens. my system has been extremely stable since I removed it.

 

[Eteq]

That seems pretty odd - I've used Norton for years and had no problems... do you have restarts at other times?

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: Eteq
That seems pretty odd - I've used Norton for years and had no problems... do you have restarts at other times?

Well, I'm not having a problem now, but no, i don't have random restarts since I removed Norton. My nephew actually clued me in on this (I'm still shaking my head that my 16 year old nephew caught this before I did...heh...the punk....) but maybe it was just my system not working well with Norton. but...my sister's Pc was doing the same thing when she installed it.

 

[archimedian]

I don't have Norton. I also have the problem when installing Linux, so I don't think it is just a software problem. I will try and figure out the type of motherboard if I can.

 

[Unforgiven]

could be bad ram, bad power supply, overheating cpu.....i think you have pretty much ruled out the video card since you have tried agp, pci and onboard. id start with the ram and work from there.

 

[archimedian]

The motherboard chip type is SiS. Still trying to figure out what motherboard it is. Also, the processor is a P4 1.8 ghz and it has 256 mb ram (but using onboard video, so less ram).

 

[archimedian]

I have swapped the ram out, so I don't think its that now.

Maybe the CPU or motherboard...

CPU Temp is at 66 celsius in the bios.

 

[altonb1]

Temps seem high to me. Cool be your issue. Spray dust out of all of the fans, HSF, etc. see if it makes a difference.

 

[archimedian]

I think you might be right about the overheating. It shut down today during a compile, and seems to do better with my clock speed turned down. I will try spraying with air and see what happens.

 

[altonb1]

Originally posted by: archimedian
I think you might be right about the overheating. It shut down today during a compile, and seems to do better with my clock speed turned down. I will try spraying with air and see what happens.

You may also want to remove your HSF (leave the processor in...no reason to take it out) and spary all of the dust out from between the spokes (not sure what the tech term is). You can also take the sides off the case and if you have one, put a portable fan blowing directly onto the board/cpu. See if it has much of an impact. It definitely seems way too hot. I started another thread a few days complaining my CPU was 45-degrees. If you check the BIOS, most have shutdown warnings capable at 50-degrees and shutdown temps of 60. You are beyond that regularly!

 

[Delorian]

I would suggest trying to find a way to check your fan speeds or replacing the fan. It sounds like the CPU is easily overheating and if it is at a stock or non-OCed voltage/bus/multiplier then I would have to blame the cooling devices (CPU heatsink/fan, case fans) dust may well be the problem or the fans may not be working correctly. I suggest using a dust remover and leaving your case open while you try to re-create the problem (this can affect your temps though). Watch the fan especially!