lorraine said:
i want to get more disk space via compress old files. however, the computer
automatically shut down every time when compressing old files. why this
happened? pls suggest me how to fix it. many thanks...
Maybe the processor is getting too hot.
Some computers have temperature reading capabilities. You need a program
to access the readings. An example of a free program is Speedfan from
almico.com .
http://www.almico.com/speedfan437.exe
In this screenshot, the CPU is at 49C degrees. You should check the
temperature, when the CPU is doing something demanding, like
compressing your files. Checking when the computer is idle, it
will be much cooler.
http://www.almico.com/images/mainwindow.gif
The fans must be operating on the computer, to keep the computer cool.
Sometimes, there are vents on the computer, with a filter to remove
dust, and the filter should be cleaned every three months or so. Even
if you hear fans spinning, they can't move air if the vents or filters
are blocked.
Reasonable upper limits for CPU temperatures are 65C. Some Intel processors
have the ability to "throttle" when they get too hot - that means they
reduce their computing performance temporarily, to try to cool off
the processor. You want your computer cooling to work better than that,
so that the processor does not throttle and you get all the performance
you paid for. If the cooling is working well, the temperature should
stay below 65C, even when the computer is working hard.
Both Intel and AMD processors now, have protection against overheating.
If other attempts by the computer to cool off don't work, and the
CPU hits 90C or so, the computer will shut off without warning. So
the CPU can protect itself, if the CPU fan is dead, or the
CPU heatsink falls off because a clip on it snapped. My suspicion
is, that you're witnessing that right now (overheating). The CPU is
reaching a high temperature, and the computer is instantly turning off.
If the desktop computer has an easy access side panel, remove it and inspect
that nothing is amiss. On a laptop, about all you can do is check the vent
is clean and the fan is working.
*******
Now, you described "shutdown". There can also be a rebooting problem,
where the computer reboots and you see the Windows desktop appear again.
On some computers, that can be caused by a hardware defect, such as
"bad capacitors". Certain old Dells are notorious for that. Instability
of the computer is the first symptom, but eventually a computer with
bad capacitors (aluminum cylinders with a plastic insulating sleeve on
the outside), will no longer POST and boot anymore. If someone expects
to repair such a machine, it should be serviced before it fails completely,
because the repair will be a bit easier to do. Bad capacitors can cause
collateral damage, and some of the other things that get damaged, are
harder to find spares for. There are some individuals on the Internet,
who can "recap" a motherboard, replacing all the cylinders. There was one
guy who would do a motherboard for $50, which was a relative bargain.
Now, it can be almost as expensive as purchasing a replacement motherboard
from Ebay - but if a product is notorious for the problem, even the
replacement motherboards can have the problem as well.
http://news.cnet.com/PCs-plagued-by-bad-capacitors/2100-1041_3-5942647.html
(Picture of failing caps - they're supposed to be flat on top. Not bulged.)
http://www.badcaps.net/images/caps/kt7/image004.png
HTH,
Paul
)