Computer shuts down OFTEN!!

10 years ago

My grandson just installed a new mother board, ram and cpu on my computer. It had Win XP, now has 7. It shuts off instantly when I click on a link, or click "send" in email, or whenever it wants to. Help! Very frustrating. Thank you, Ruth Ann

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Comments (3)

owbist
10 years ago
Basically he has built you a new computer and I think that is great that he can do that.

Does he know about the problem and is unsure of a fix or would you prefer to find the answer without his knowledge and not embarrass him?

Either way from the little we have I suspect that perhaps the power supply is not big enough or the cooling fan over the heatsink on the CPU is not up to the job.

Was this originally a factory built computer? If so provide the make and model please so we can see what parts are left from the original computer.

If you are comfortable it would help if you removed the left side panel (likely held on by 2 screws needing a screwdriver) we need the make and model of the power supply and the output watts listed, that is the big metal box at the top rear of the cabinet with all the wires sticking out of it. While the side is off do you have a small fan that you could place on the desk blowing inwards while the computer runs? This will be temporary to see if this is heat related, if it is cutting out frequently it should not take too long to check the heat issue if it is there.

Any chance you know the make and model of the new motherboard? It will be stamped on the board if you do take the side off.
ruthann
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi, Thanks for the help. He put in a new heatsink, actually I think he used 2 of them, and it works wonderful. It's funny how frustrating little things can be. Well, it's not actually funny......it's miserable. I love this forum.
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Perhaps the heatsink fan has quit, then computer will indeed shut down to protect the processor (CPU) If a desktop remove the side panel to see if the fan is spinning up, if a laptop feel the outlet for the air it will be on the side, back or bottom. Or if the computer stays running long enough download Speccy from Filehippo and run it to see your temps. Stay with the free version. Does the computer run for seconds, minutes or longer before shutting down?
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I have some of my towers under the desk on small pedestals and some on top of the desk, I have a ceiling fan in the room that usually is on except in the dead of winter and under the desk I have a small fan that runs circulating air around those towers at all times, it can get warm under that desk and the fan does help keep air moving. My husband uses his laptop all day long at work, he puts it in the docking station when he gets there in the morning and it stays there and on and running till he comes home at night unless he has a meeting to take it to, but it gets good air flow being on the desk and in the docking station. I think if a laptop caught fire like that it had a serious over heating problem, if it did not have it's vents blocked. I know a lot of bad batteries in laptops have caused fires. they do make laptop bases that have additional fans built in them to help keep them cool.
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yes it will have a pop up down by the clock, be sure you do not have yours in the hidden icons thing if you do you can move it down onto the bar so you can see it better. Just make sure when you make your choice you pick the one that says notify me do not install or something like that.
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owbist
10 years ago
Great news, glad he was able to fix it for you, now you can sit back and enjoy. Thanks for letting us know all is well.

I will ask one question. Did he use thermal paste between the heatsink and the processor? If not that will certainly be an issue because the paste creates a solid bond between the 2 items.

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Computer shuts down OFTEN!!

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ruthann
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Computer shuts down OFTEN!!

Comments (3)

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ruthannOriginal Author

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ruthann
Original Author