Computer Turning Off By Itself

[WyteWatt]

What could be the reason for a computer turning off itself ? Like for example I just went to control panel then double clicked on network and the whole computer just turned off. I booted it up again just fine and then did the same thing again and it went to network in control panel just fine that time. It doesn't happen when doing certain things it happens at any time. I did check for viruses, just in case, but there were none.

 

[imported_powdahound]

When did it start doing this?
Do you have the WinXP auto-restart on BSOD turned on? Maybe there's an error you aren't seeing...

 

[jspeicher]

poltergeist?

 

[axelfox]

I had a similar problem: my computer kept going into hibernation/standby. It turns out it was the keyboard.

 

[Bovinicus]

Most often issues with the system turning off or restarting are PSU or heat-related problems. Download motherboard monitor and report some temparatures and voltages to us.

As well, make sure you have no viruses on your system. www.trendmicro.com has a good virus scanner that is available online.

Also, as powdahound said, your system might actually be getting a BSOD but you don't know it because your system is set to automatically restart whenever it encounter a blue screen error.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Bad PSU most likely

 

[imported_powdahound]

Can you play games or do any intensive things without it shutting off? If you can I doubt it is the PSU, but stranger things have happened I guess.

 

[WyteWatt]

Not my computer. They don't play games.

 

[mechBgon]

Tip: if you want troubleshooting help, it helps if you tell people what hardware you have

 

[WyteWatt]

Not sure what motherboard the computer has because its not mine. I did use something called Belarc Advisor but it didn't give me enough information about the motherboard so I could select one with the list MBM gives me.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: imtim83
Not sure what motherboard the computer has because its not mine. I did use something called Belarc Advisor but it didn't give me enough information about the motherboard so I could select one with the list MBM gives me.

If it isn't yours, do you feel that the owner would tacitly approve of you attempting to fix it? If so, get a Phillips screwdriver and let's get that case opened up

 

[WyteWatt]

mechBgon yes. I just don't think MBM will work with it because its a very old computer. Though I will go see inside the case.