Computer Automatically Shuts Down

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

moh4mm4d wrote:

>
> moh4mm4d Wrote:
>> Hey ppl,
>> i hav a mjor problem my computer automatically shuts dwn while im
>> using it for no reason, i dont get a error message or anything, im
>> pretty sure its a Hardware problem because i rebooted my computer and
>> installd windows XP and it still did it, ne ideas??
>>
>> Thanx
>
> Forgt to gv details on my hardware:
> 1.5 Ghz AMD Sempron 2800 Processor
> 256 DDR Ram
>
> 2 Drives: Master CDRW Drive
> Slave DVDRW Drive
>
> 2 Hard Disk Drives: Master 40Gb Drive
> Slave 20Gb Drive
>
>
Here are general hardware troubleshooting steps:

1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.

2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.

4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really apply to a
laptop, although of course the power
supply can be faulty.

5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.

Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA).

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User