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#1
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Computer Shutdown
Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using
the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. |
#2
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Computer Shutdown
Mia, as you say ' sight unseen' but maybe this might help:-
You may need to determine whether its a heat/hardware issue rather than a WinMe issue. If heat related, then the inside of the box may need a good clearout. (A lot of dust gets sucked into box due to the fan(s) and can reduce the cooling efficiency) Boot using your Windows Startup (floppy) Disk and select the DOS Help page option. Leave it running for several hours, scrolling up and down the pages every so often and see if it still shuts down/reboots. If so, then it's a problem with your PC and not with WinMe. If not, then boot into Safe Mode (F8 or Ctrl keys at boot-up) and leave it running in that mode for a few hours and see if it shuts down/reboots. If so, you may need to disconnect external items of hardware to see if you can isolate it. Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. |
#3
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Computer Shutdown
Mart,
Thanks for the suggestions. The culprit may well be the dust. I noticed when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago that it was pretty dusty in there. I cleaned it some, but not thoroughly. I'll go back in and do a good cleaning and see what happens after trying your other suggestions. When it shuts down, it doesn't reboot--just quits. Later I can start it again, so it does sound like an overheating issue. Guess I'll treat it like I do the dust on furniture--dust twice a year, whether it needs it or not. Thanks again. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia, as you say ' sight unseen' but maybe this might help:- You may need to determine whether its a heat/hardware issue rather than a WinMe issue. If heat related, then the inside of the box may need a good clearout. (A lot of dust gets sucked into box due to the fan(s) and can reduce the cooling efficiency) Boot using your Windows Startup (floppy) Disk and select the DOS Help page option. Leave it running for several hours, scrolling up and down the pages every so often and see if it still shuts down/reboots. If so, then it's a problem with your PC and not with WinMe. If not, then boot into Safe Mode (F8 or Ctrl keys at boot- up) and leave it running in that mode for a few hours and see if it shuts down/reboots. If so, you may need to disconnect external items of hardware to see if you can isolate it. Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. . |
#4
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Computer Shutdown
Mia wrote:-
....when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago --- Coincidence?? Whilst you're in there with the vacuum cleaner & brush, check to see if you may have dislodged any cabling whilst you were changing the drive. Check all cables are fully seated - at both ends!! Also check that the fan on the CPU (if fitted) is clear and running OK. Good luck Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Mart, Thanks for the suggestions. The culprit may well be the dust. I noticed when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago that it was pretty dusty in there. I cleaned it some, but not thoroughly. I'll go back in and do a good cleaning and see what happens after trying your other suggestions. When it shuts down, it doesn't reboot--just quits. Later I can start it again, so it does sound like an overheating issue. Guess I'll treat it like I do the dust on furniture--dust twice a year, whether it needs it or not. Thanks again. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia, as you say ' sight unseen' but maybe this might help:- You may need to determine whether its a heat/hardware issue rather than a WinMe issue. If heat related, then the inside of the box may need a good clearout. (A lot of dust gets sucked into box due to the fan(s) and can reduce the cooling efficiency) Boot using your Windows Startup (floppy) Disk and select the DOS Help page option. Leave it running for several hours, scrolling up and down the pages every so often and see if it still shuts down/reboots. If so, then it's a problem with your PC and not with WinMe. If not, then boot into Safe Mode (F8 or Ctrl keys at boot- up) and leave it running in that mode for a few hours and see if it shuts down/reboots. If so, you may need to disconnect external items of hardware to see if you can isolate it. Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. . |
#5
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Computer Shutdown
I think I see the problem. One of the 3 fans is not
working. It's the one that vents out the back, very near the power plug/switch. Both the CPU fan and the other fan are operating properly. It would probably be a good idea to let a computer repair person replace the fan rather than an amateur like me, so I plan to take it to the shop tomorrow. All the cables seem to be firmly seated, so I reckon the culprit is the fan. I did boot up using my rescue disk as you suggested and after 15 minutes the computer shut down. An hour or so later I disconnected the power, took off the cover, and then reconnected the power and booted up to take a look at the fans and that's when I discovered the problem. Given a choice, I'd rather have that problem than a Windows or other handware problem. Thanks again for all your advice. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia wrote:- ....when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago - -- Coincidence?? Whilst you're in there with the vacuum cleaner & brush, check to see if you may have dislodged any cabling whilst you were changing the drive. Check all cables are fully seated - at both ends!! Also check that the fan on the CPU (if fitted) is clear and running OK. Good luck Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Mart, Thanks for the suggestions. The culprit may well be the dust. I noticed when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago that it was pretty dusty in there. I cleaned it some, but not thoroughly. I'll go back in and do a good cleaning and see what happens after trying your other suggestions. When it shuts down, it doesn't reboot-- just quits. Later I can start it again, so it does sound like an overheating issue. Guess I'll treat it like I do the dust on furniture--dust twice a year, whether it needs it or not. Thanks again. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia, as you say ' sight unseen' but maybe this might help:- You may need to determine whether its a heat/hardware issue rather than a WinMe issue. If heat related, then the inside of the box may need a good clearout. (A lot of dust gets sucked into box due to the fan(s) and can reduce the cooling efficiency) Boot using your Windows Startup (floppy) Disk and select the DOS Help page option. Leave it running for several hours, scrolling up and down the pages every so often and see if it still shuts down/reboots. If so, then it's a problem with your PC and not with WinMe. If not, then boot into Safe Mode (F8 or Ctrl keys at boot- up) and leave it running in that mode for a few hours and see if it shuts down/reboots. If so, you may need to disconnect external items of hardware to see if you can isolate it. Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. . . |
#6
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Computer Shutdown
Mia, it looks like you've found it. Good luck with your computer shop.
Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... I think I see the problem. One of the 3 fans is not working. It's the one that vents out the back, very near the power plug/switch. Both the CPU fan and the other fan are operating properly. It would probably be a good idea to let a computer repair person replace the fan rather than an amateur like me, so I plan to take it to the shop tomorrow. All the cables seem to be firmly seated, so I reckon the culprit is the fan. I did boot up using my rescue disk as you suggested and after 15 minutes the computer shut down. An hour or so later I disconnected the power, took off the cover, and then reconnected the power and booted up to take a look at the fans and that's when I discovered the problem. Given a choice, I'd rather have that problem than a Windows or other handware problem. Thanks again for all your advice. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia wrote:- ....when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago - -- Coincidence?? Whilst you're in there with the vacuum cleaner & brush, check to see if you may have dislodged any cabling whilst you were changing the drive. Check all cables are fully seated - at both ends!! Also check that the fan on the CPU (if fitted) is clear and running OK. Good luck Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Mart, Thanks for the suggestions. The culprit may well be the dust. I noticed when I replaced a slave drive a month or so ago that it was pretty dusty in there. I cleaned it some, but not thoroughly. I'll go back in and do a good cleaning and see what happens after trying your other suggestions. When it shuts down, it doesn't reboot-- just quits. Later I can start it again, so it does sound like an overheating issue. Guess I'll treat it like I do the dust on furniture--dust twice a year, whether it needs it or not. Thanks again. Mia -----Original Message----- Mia, as you say ' sight unseen' but maybe this might help:- You may need to determine whether its a heat/hardware issue rather than a WinMe issue. If heat related, then the inside of the box may need a good clearout. (A lot of dust gets sucked into box due to the fan(s) and can reduce the cooling efficiency) Boot using your Windows Startup (floppy) Disk and select the DOS Help page option. Leave it running for several hours, scrolling up and down the pages every so often and see if it still shuts down/reboots. If so, then it's a problem with your PC and not with WinMe. If not, then boot into Safe Mode (F8 or Ctrl keys at boot- up) and leave it running in that mode for a few hours and see if it shuts down/reboots. If so, you may need to disconnect external items of hardware to see if you can isolate it. Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Tonight my desktop computer shut itself off. (I'm using the laptop now). I started it again a few minutes later but it shut down again after only a few minutes. I assume it's overheating, but I verified that the fan is running. I realize this may be tricky to diagnose, sight unseen, but does anyone have any idea about what may be happening, and is this something I might be able to fix myself? Thanks in advance. . . |
#7
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Computer Shutdown
Mart,
Problem solves. They ended up replacing the entire power supply and the computer has been running an hour with no shutdown. The stated reason for replacing the whole thing was that the wiring for the fan did'nt plug in to a power source, but was soldered in and they didn't have the technology (or knowledge apparently) to disconnect the old fan and install a new one. Sounds like the problem I had with a lightning strike to a computer board on the intercom at the gate entrance to my property. They just don't repair anything any more--just replace. Oh well, at least the cost was only $40, and not $700 for a new intercom board, so I'm happy. Thanks again for all your advice. -----Original Message----- Mia, it looks like you've found it. Good luck with your computer shop. |
#8
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Computer Shutdown
Mia wrote:-
They just don't repair anything any more--just replace. More often than not, it just isn't worth it - for $40 you've got a new psu, for $50 you could have had a repaired one - assuming they could have actually sourced a replacement fan g But good news though, and well done for spotting the offending fan yourself - pat on the back! Mart "Mia" wrote in message ... Mart, Problem solves. They ended up replacing the entire power supply and the computer has been running an hour with no shutdown. The stated reason for replacing the whole thing was that the wiring for the fan did'nt plug in to a power source, but was soldered in and they didn't have the technology (or knowledge apparently) to disconnect the old fan and install a new one. Sounds like the problem I had with a lightning strike to a computer board on the intercom at the gate entrance to my property. They just don't repair anything any more--just replace. Oh well, at least the cost was only $40, and not $700 for a new intercom board, so I'm happy. Thanks again for all your advice. -----Original Message----- Mia, it looks like you've found it. Good luck with your computer shop. |
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