Why does computer suddenly switch off?

Question

I have 2 Dells of about the same vintage (600Mhz Dimensions).  Every once in a while (always when connected to the internet) they will suddenly reset themselves.  Not Shut Down or hang or BSoD, the screen just goes black and it starts up from the BIOS information etc, exactly like you've hit the reset button on the front.  I cannot believe that Internet Explorer can do this, or that a 'nasty' is coming in through the modem, but what else could cause it?  Power fluctuation?  CPU getting too hot? Any ideas? Thanks

Jamiepe · Answer

It could be a million different things

Power supplu fan running? Try swapping in a new/used one

Is the system fan running? Try swapping in a new or used one

Run Memtest86 memtest86.com from DOS to test your ram, run it for many iterations to establish that the machine will not shut down or freeze up when in DOS. At least then you know it is not the hard disk or software related

Run prime95 from within windows to peg the CPU to see if it is the CPU heat causing this

Dust off all parts inside the machine

Remove all cards in the machine one by one i.e modem, sound card, network card. If it still happens, it is not them.

Open the case and blow a household fan in there. If it does not happen, then you have some type of heat issue.

If this is software related then check what programs and services start up with the device and stop them one by one to see if it stops the problem

Lastly run virus check and run adaware or mSFT spyware detector. Both are free and will get spycrap off your machine.

LuvllyONE · Answer

ok after it switches off and comes back up blue tells me about some drivers or divice that is making my computer do that tried restore tried safe mode dont know what could be making my computer do this havent install anything new helpppppppppp

Jamiepe · Answer

Oh ya, check the device manager for hardware conflicts or problems. Remove all peripheral devices one by one.   Update ALL drivers to all possible hardware in or peripheral to the machine. Old outdated drivers can cause this as well.   BTW memtest86 will hit your memory sticks to test them. I just wanted you to let it run for many iterations so you are in dos not the OS to see if this happens there.

DimXPST600 · Answer

Thanks for the reply.

My problem happens intermittently so it might be hard to pick up by running tests, unless they force the problem to occur. I really just wanted to know in principle what can cause switch-off rather than a crash/freeze. Seems like a lot can cause it!

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Why does computer suddenly switch off?

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