Random Shut Downs,

[Guest]

Maybe not completely random... I have 512MB RAM, but the computer just turns off completely when it is dealing with large files (spreadsheets, many years worth of history in microsoft money, games, etc.) or at least maybe a hefty work load. I thought with 512MB of RAM that it can handle any reasonable job. I have checked to clear out the dust bunnies in the fan and anywhere else I can get. I also got a spyware program, but it can never finish because the computer just shuts off. Does this sound like a virus/spy program, is it a power issue (maybe the battery is failing - it doesn't hold a charge very long any more) or is it a xp pro software problem

Lost
Casey

 

[RichK]

Heat. Is the CPU fan working?

Maybe not completely random... I have 512MB RAM, but the computer just

turns off completely when it is dealing with large files (spreadsheets, many
years worth of history in microsoft money, games, etc.) or at least maybe a
hefty work load. I thought with 512MB of RAM that it can handle any
reasonable job. I have checked to clear out the dust bunnies in the fan and
anywhere else I can get. I also got a spyware program, but it can never
finish because the computer just shuts off. Does this sound like a
virus/spy program, is it a power issue (maybe the battery is failing - it
doesn't hold a charge very long any more) or is it a xp pro software
problem?

 

[Guest]

I hear a fan kick on and off fairly frequently, and I can feel a little air coming out of the vent, so I think the fan is working okay

Casey

 

[Guest]

Could there be a problem with my memory? I tried to run that memtest86 and it doesn't shut down, but the test stops running fairly quickly after starting.