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Weird Power-Off Problem

Posted: 2007-03-18 10:36am
by Solauren
Hello

My wife's computer recently started shutting down on it's own accord.

The interval varies, but it appears to be about 20 minutes when she's using the computer 'intensely'. i.e Playing a Video Game.

Afterwards, she can have trouble restarting it. i.e part way through boot up, the power cuts out again.


Am I right in assuming it's either her power supply or her mother board? Or is there another possibility I'm over looking?

Posted: 2007-03-18 11:03am
by Luke Starkiller
It could be a heat issue, have you made sure the fans run and heatsinks are clean?

Posted: 2007-03-18 11:53am
by Edi
Power supply and heat issues, probably. Clean the machine out immediately, a lot of dust will cause it to geat up too quickly and also poses a fire hazard.

Posted: 2007-03-18 01:29pm
by Solauren
We dusted the machine (and used up an air can in the process)

So far, so good

Posted: 2007-03-19 09:29am
by Dargos
sounds def. like a heat problem to me. there are several downloads out there that will monitor your processor temp. get one of those and watch to see if your temps are riseing while useing the computer.

Posted: 2007-03-19 04:19pm
by Braedley
Since the OP said video games, I'm gonna have to lean towards a heat related issue with the video card. Have you started getting weird artifacts yet, 'cause that's a dead give away. The fan quit on one of my old cards, and after crashing, my computer would sometimes not start up.

Posted: 2007-03-19 04:43pm
by Solauren
Still no more problems.

Probably was a heat issue, as clearing out something like 2 pounds of dust made it run better