Why does my computer keep randomly shutting itself off?
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
Because a little elf switch your power interruptor...
Or maybe, you've got a virus like blaster. Can you explain how it happen ?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I wish I could explain it... I'll just sit here, in front of the screen, and suddenly the whole computer turns off. It's a laptop. Good thing I have yet to write something important when it happens, because I'd lose it.
It doesn't happen often, but it happens enough to be a problem.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Becuase it's a PC, 'nuff said Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
If that's your helpful advice, go to bed. Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Its most likely your battery being loose.
Also, you wouldn't lose much of anything if you just saved regularly (and perhaps used Word, which'll keep a regular backup, though you should still save constantly -- just use control-s).
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Well, I do use word, and I do save constantly, but I'd still rather my computer didn't periodically shut itself off...
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
I think it's an elf.
A question : your PC shut down directly or it close with the normal windows process ?
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
No, it just shuts off completely, all at once. No little blue screen with "windows is shutting down" written on it. It's almost as though someone pulls the plug, except it's still plugged in. And it's a laptop, so even if it wasn't, it should have kept running for a while.
Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
So, it's an elf. A bad elf.
Or more probably, it's a bad contact between battery pack and PC, or something like that. your PC is old, the adjustement of the pack may extend. Try to block it with something (a piece of paper, etc.).
Other diagnostic : you've got a bad contact into your laptop... not well...
But i don't think it is a software problem. for me, it's hardware.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
*stabs elf*
My laptop isn't that old. But oh well. Where is the battery, and what can I do to tighten it?
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
Your CPU is probably overheating. They have a lot of safety precautions in them now that keep the CPU from burning itself into a molten pool of silicon if it doesn't get enough air. Best first thing to do is grab a can of compressed air and blow it into the CPU fan. Feel around the computer when it's on for air moving. When you feel hot air, that's the exhaust port. Point the canned air nozzel in there and let er rip. That will usually fix small over-heating problems. Alternately, make sure that you use your computer on hard, level surfaces, with the back of the computer popped up slightly to let air circulate.
[ May 04, 2005, 06:07 AM: Message edited by: Boris ]
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
If you are running WinXP, follow these steps:
quote:From the desktop right click on My Computer. Click the Properties option. In the System Properties window click the Advanced tab. In Advanced click the Settings button under Startup and Recovery. In the Startup and Recovery window uncheck the Automatically restart check box. Click Ok.
Most likely, you are having an error of some type. Ever helpful, WinXP reboots the system by default rather than simply showing the scary blue screen.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
TheTick: Done. Will that solve my problem? Thanks!
Boris, if the other thing doesn't solve it, I may have to look into that! Thanks. Posted by Choobak (Member # 7083) on :
I don't know your model of laptop. But the battery pack is in a trap under it. i think you've got a little mecanism to open it.
I may said wrong : your model is not old. I forget the case of high heat CPU. Boris may have right.
[ May 04, 2005, 08:14 AM: Message edited by: Choobak ]
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
It won't solve the problem, but it will let you see what the error message is. Assuming that is what is happening. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Actually, that doesn't make sense... my computer doesn't restart, it just shuts off.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
With my possessed computers...actually, it was the same computer twice...the first time was the power box thing or whatever in the case and the second time I ended up reinstalling windows.
What kind of laptop do you own? The documentation should show you where the battery is. Are you running with it plugged in as well?
Posted by Tony (Member # 7956) on :
My girlfriend has had this same problem for a number of reasons on her laptop, any of which could apply here. First off, laptops, especially Toshibas, do seem to overheat /a lot/. First thing, make sure your fan exhausts are clear of dust and debris. Use a can of compressed air to clean them out, ideally. Next, make sure you set your laptop somewhere where your exhausts have plenty of room to, well, exhaust. That should help with CPU overheating. Of course, the CPU isn't all that overheats. Most laptop batteries don't have dedicated exhaust fans, even though they get very hot. Try putting cd cases under each corner of the laptop to provide airflow. If this helps it, consider buying one of those laptop stand things. Also, power surges and interruptions will cause most computers in general to shut off. Does this occur when you're plugged into the wall? If so, perhaps your power cord or its connector is having problems. If not, perhaps your battery is not secure or has poor connections. If you don't personally know good computer people, and the cooling ideas I suggested before aren't helping, you may want to consider taking it to a shop.
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
My laptop is a Compaq, and it runs Windows XP. I do run it plugged in, always, pretty much.
I may just have to get it professionally looked at, as I know nothing whatsoever about computers. Thanks though, everyone, for your help. I'll look into your suggestions, first. Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Easiest way to check if its likely a heat issue:
Put two small supports under the back corners of the laptop so there's air circulation under it. If it still shuts itself of with about the same regularity, its likely not a heat issue.
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
Hey Raia, what model is your laptop? (Compaq Presario <insert numbers and letters here>)
[ May 04, 2005, 01:54 PM: Message edited by: Boris ]
Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Compaq... um... it says "Evo" on the top, if that helps. Beyond that, I know nothing.
(edit: I think you mean Evo N610c)
[ May 04, 2005, 01:55 PM: Message edited by: Raia ]
Posted by Jonathan Howard (Member # 6934) on :
quote: I may just have to get it professionally looked at
Do you know Boris? He's a young [Russian] (needless to say) technician who works at a shop called Oberon, it's on Pierre König - that building with the turquoise top and the round windows (25?). He works on floor 5, right down the end. Entry through the parking lot.
He's the expert, and the one who does the secretary stuff and similar is his assistant/subordinate Volodya. Go to them; I'm an apprentice technician and the most experienced in my class, and I worked in computers for weeks at a time (as an apprentice) doing hardware and software stuff.
I go to him. And w're talking about someone who - when his computer broke down in July tried everything, but never thought of going to a technician... It took me about 3 weeks of thought until I went to three shops , each telling me something else. So I collaborated between them. (I went to work with the PCs every day, fixing computers for 4-5 hours at a time, all the dirty work. Then, come home after spending 5-6 hours in hot buses and filthy, underground computer-labs to rest in peace - and realising every day all over again that I have one very important computer to fix - mine.)
JH
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
It may also be a setting in the "power saver" program.
It seems unlikely, but I thought I'd toss that out.
-Trevor
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
Thanks. The chassis for that laptop model looks like it could be prone to overheating to me. As has been mentioned, prop it up a little when you use it to increase the air-flow. I personally don't think it's a power issue (Since you're plugged into the wall) unless your battery is completely dead and the power outlet is bad (If the power outlet is bad, it switches automatically to battery power when the current stops coming from the wall, and the battery isn't used at all when the power is coming from the wall.) If your battery is charging properly and holds the charge well, you should be fine. Another thing, Windows doesn't tend to turn off the computer completely when there is just a simple error. If it encounters an error that causes the system to crash like this, it will reboot rather than turn off. Same with Blaster Virus. Another possible issue may be your power settings.
Depending on how your control panel is set up (and assuming you have Windows XP), there are two ways to figure out your power settings. Go to the control panel, if there are a number of Icons with a blue background, click on the one that says "performance and maintenance" and then go to "power options" located near the bottom of the window. If you get into control panel and it has a lot of icons with a white background, double click on the "power options" icon. That brings up the power options properties, which will allow you to adjust how your laptop gets turned off when it's idle. I've seen a lot of computers where this gets kinda screwed up, and the power management features in Windows are kinda lousy anyway. When you get to the power options properties, make sure to set "turn off hard drives" and "system standby" to never. You might also set up the monitor to turn off after a longer period of time as well. After that is done, click on the "hibernate" tab at the top of the properties box and make sure that the "enable hibernation" box is NOT checked.
All of those setting can cause your computer to shut down without you telling it to, and may be a part of the problem. Also, turning all those power settings off will make sure that your computer isn't just turning itself off to save power.
Posted by Boris (Member # 6935) on :
quote: Do you know Boris?
I don't know why, but that just made me laugh Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
Wow... thanks, Boris. *does everything*
My plug is definitely fine... my computer shows it running on AC power, rather than battery. So that part of it is fine.
Posted by Jonathan Howard (Member # 6934) on :
Now mine freezes up in Windows. Driver problems?
The net won't load on Kanotix, so I'm using the Live CD...
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