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Computer keeps shutting down without warning



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 31st 09, 07:41 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Lorne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 99
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus was
found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not noticed
that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the shutdowns -
they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day and other
times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of desktop.htt
but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads fine in
FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


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  #2  
Old May 31st 09, 08:14 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Bruce Hagen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,235
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning


"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?



Have you cleaned it out lately? Fans working? Overheating can shut it down.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

  #3  
Old May 31st 09, 08:14 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Bruce Hagen
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,235
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning


"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?



Have you cleaned it out lately? Fans working? Overheating can shut it down.
--

Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP [Mail]
Imperial Beach, CA

  #4  
Old May 31st 09, 08:15 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Don Phillipson[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,185
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?


The most common cause is a failing Power Supply Unit
(replaceable for about $30 at genuine PC repair shops.)

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of

desktop.htt
but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads fine in

FrontPage.

This is a software configuration problem, unrelated to
spontanneous shutdown.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


  #5  
Old May 31st 09, 08:15 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Don Phillipson[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,185
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?


The most common cause is a failing Power Supply Unit
(replaceable for about $30 at genuine PC repair shops.)

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of

desktop.htt
but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads fine in

FrontPage.

This is a software configuration problem, unrelated to
spontanneous shutdown.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)


  #6  
Old May 31st 09, 08:26 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Leythos[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 976
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

In article ,
says...

XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus was
found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not noticed
that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the shutdowns -
they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day and other
times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of desktop.htt
but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads fine in
FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


If there are NO event log entries related to the shutdown, if it just
SHUTS OFF, then you have one of several problem, check the following:

0) Run a AV/Malware scan using MBAM, download it from:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

1) PSU Fan(s) - Are the actually spinning and clean?

2) Video Card fan/capacitors - check to make sure the fan is spinning
and clear of dust, check the CAP's to make sure they have not popped.

3) Case Fans - If your case is one of the smaller ones, or has a lot of
components, case fans can fail causing your computer to overheat.

4) CPU Fan/Heatsink - make sure that the heat sink is clean and that the
fan is spinning. If youv'e checked the other things above, it's been
seen that improperly applied CPU heat sink paste can deteriorate after a
number of years and provide insufficient cooling. You should check this
if you are comfortable with working on the CPU and inside your case -
reapplying HSP should be done following the manufactures EXACT
instructions for your type of CPU.

5) Bad power supply - in many cases, when none of the above are the
reason, changing a PSU with a new one can resolve the problem. A cheap
PSU can be purchased for less than $50, as a test, or a better quality
one can be purchased for under $89.



--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
(remove 999 for proper email address)
  #7  
Old May 31st 09, 08:26 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Leythos[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 976
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

In article ,
says...

XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus was
found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not noticed
that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the shutdowns -
they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day and other
times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of desktop.htt
but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads fine in
FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


If there are NO event log entries related to the shutdown, if it just
SHUTS OFF, then you have one of several problem, check the following:

0) Run a AV/Malware scan using MBAM, download it from:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

1) PSU Fan(s) - Are the actually spinning and clean?

2) Video Card fan/capacitors - check to make sure the fan is spinning
and clear of dust, check the CAP's to make sure they have not popped.

3) Case Fans - If your case is one of the smaller ones, or has a lot of
components, case fans can fail causing your computer to overheat.

4) CPU Fan/Heatsink - make sure that the heat sink is clean and that the
fan is spinning. If youv'e checked the other things above, it's been
seen that improperly applied CPU heat sink paste can deteriorate after a
number of years and provide insufficient cooling. You should check this
if you are comfortable with working on the CPU and inside your case -
reapplying HSP should be done following the manufactures EXACT
instructions for your type of CPU.

5) Bad power supply - in many cases, when none of the above are the
reason, changing a PSU with a new one can resolve the problem. A cheap
PSU can be purchased for less than $50, as a test, or a better quality
one can be purchased for under $89.



--
You can't trust your best friends, your five senses, only the little
voice inside you that most civilians don't even hear -- Listen to that.
Trust yourself.
(remove 999 for proper email address)
  #8  
Old May 31st 09, 09:46 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Lorne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 99
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


1. For those who suggest it may be the power supply, is there a way to check
if mine has a problem other than buying a new one? Are there any other
symptoms?

2. On overheating the fans all seem to be working. I ran a utilility that
says CPU temp is about 52c, hard disks about 40c, system board 49c. When I
ran it at close to 100% CPU use for a while the CPU went up to 56c. Is that
reasonable for a dual core CPU about 4 years old? The manufacturers site
says it fails at 85c, but I guess that is an extreme.


  #9  
Old May 31st 09, 09:46 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Lorne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 99
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning

"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?

I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


1. For those who suggest it may be the power supply, is there a way to check
if mine has a problem other than buying a new one? Are there any other
symptoms?

2. On overheating the fans all seem to be working. I ran a utilility that
says CPU temp is about 52c, hard disks about 40c, system board 49c. When I
ran it at close to 100% CPU use for a while the CPU went up to 56c. Is that
reasonable for a dual core CPU about 4 years old? The manufacturers site
says it fails at 85c, but I guess that is an extreme.


  #12  
Old June 1st 09, 01:47 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Patrick Keenan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,415
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning


"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?


If it doesn't attempt to restart, it's hardware failure.

In many cases, it's overheating, and that can rapidly lead to non-repairable
damage.

In other cases, specific components such as the power supply or memory have
developed problems.


I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


First, ensure that your backups are current.

Unfortunately, diagnosing exactly which components are failing is difficult,
which is pronounced "expensive". It's hard to tell without replacing the
component, and it's quite possible that the problem exists in more than one
component.

-pk


  #13  
Old June 1st 09, 01:47 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Patrick Keenan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 4,415
Default Computer keeps shutting down without warning


"Lorne" wrote in message
...
XP home, fully updated.

What can cause a computer to shut down without warning?


If it doesn't attempt to restart, it's hardware failure.

In many cases, it's overheating, and that can rapidly lead to non-repairable
damage.

In other cases, specific components such as the power supply or memory have
developed problems.


I have run memstest86 but the RAM is all OK. Also run a total virus scan
using McAfee (which has always been installed and running) but no virus
was found. No new hardware has been added recently. And I have not
noticed that I was doing anything that could be a common cause of the
shutdowns - they seem to be random and sometimes allow me to work all day
and other times it shuts down after 5 minutes.

I have noticed that I regularly get a disabled desktop waring saying there
was an error 'object doesn't support this action' in line 65 of
desktop.htt but it is the same desktop I have always used and it loads
fine in FrontPage.

Any ideas what to look for next?


First, ensure that your backups are current.

Unfortunately, diagnosing exactly which components are failing is difficult,
which is pronounced "expensive". It's hard to tell without replacing the
component, and it's quite possible that the problem exists in more than one
component.

-pk


 




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