Computer Shuts Down and Restarts

[jeffy3]

My desktop at home, is 3 yrs-old and runs XP. I have internet through
Comcast high speed cable. Although I usually just leave the computer
on, I noticed several months ago that on the few occasions when I would
turn it off, I would have trouble getting it back on. I would hit the
power button and there would be up to a minute delay before the light
would go on and I would hear the fans start to whirr. I figured there
was maybe a loose wire in the power source or something and that I
could live with it since the computer is usually left on anyway. Then a
couple of months ago the computer started to shut down and restart on
its own. As of yesterday, it has gotten really bad as I cannot even get
it to load windows, it goes through the disc checking and when it gets
up in the 90% area it suddenly shuts down and restarts again. I tried
skipping the disc check and managed to log onto windows and was just
beginning to look something up on the web when it did it again. I did
open it up and verify both fans are running as someone told me it could
be an over-heating problem. I wonder if it's a power-source problem
(since the on button stopped working instantaneously like it used to),
or if its an XP loading problem. How do I diagnose the problem. Do I
start it in safe mode and then run virus scan? Then what? Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

[Malke]

My desktop at home, is 3 yrs-old and runs XP. I have internet through
Comcast high speed cable. Although I usually just leave the computer
on, I noticed several months ago that on the few occasions when I would
turn it off, I would have trouble getting it back on. I would hit the
power button and there would be up to a minute delay before the light
would go on and I would hear the fans start to whirr. I figured there
was maybe a loose wire in the power source or something and that I
could live with it since the computer is usually left on anyway. Then a
couple of months ago the computer started to shut down and restart on
its own. As of yesterday, it has gotten really bad as I cannot even get
it to load windows, it goes through the disc checking and when it gets
up in the 90% area it suddenly shuts down and restarts again. I tried
skipping the disc check and managed to log onto windows and was just
beginning to look something up on the web when it did it again. I did
open it up and verify both fans are running as someone told me it could
be an over-heating problem. I wonder if it's a power-source problem
(since the on button stopped working instantaneously like it used to),
or if its an XP loading problem. How do I diagnose the problem. Do I
start it in safe mode and then run virus scan? Then what? Any ideas?
Thanks.

This is a hardware problem although naturally I can't speak to the health of
your operating system. You need to address the hardware problems. I would
start by replacing the power supply.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Troubleshooting

Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with
known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA).

Malke

 

[James]

I deal with this all the time. It's almost certainly a bad power supply, bad
RAM, or remotely possible a bad CPU. The first two are your best bets.

 

[Jeffy3]

I deal with this all the time. It's almost certainly a bad power supply, bad
RAM, or remotely possible a bad CPU. The first two are your best bets.

Thanks, if I take it to a local shop, what should I keep an eye out for
to make sure I don't get ripped off. For instance, how much should a
new power supply cost for the unit and installation? How do you
determine if its RAM or power supply? If I told you that up until a
few days ago the problem seemed to have corrected itself for a couple
of weeks without incident, would you tend to rule out RAM then?

 

[Lem]

Thanks, if I take it to a local shop, what should I keep an eye out for
to make sure I don't get ripped off. For instance, how much should a
new power supply cost for the unit and installation? How do you
determine if its RAM or power supply? If I told you that up until a
few days ago the problem seemed to have corrected itself for a couple
of weeks without incident, would you tend to rule out RAM then?

It does sound more like a bad power supply than bad RAM, but if you want
to test the RAM yourself, use memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/
(site has both download and directions). Of course, you have to be able
to turn the computer on to use memtest86 ...

As to the cost of installing a new PS, I defer to someone like Malke
who's in the business of repairing computers. But if you want to get a
idea of parts prices, see the Power Supply Selector at
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/selector/

 

[Jeffy3]

It does sound more like a bad power supply than bad RAM, but if you want
to test the RAM yourself, use memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/
(site has both download and directions). Of course, you have to be able
to turn the computer on to use memtest86 ...

As to the cost of installing a new PS, I defer to someone like Malke
who's in the business of repairing computers. But if you want to get a
idea of parts prices, see the Power Supply Selector at
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/selector/

Thanks again for all your insight. If power supply is the problem, is
it always a "hardware" problem or is there software that runs the power
supply which could also be to blame?

 

[Malke]

It does sound more like a bad power supply than bad RAM, but if you want
to test the RAM yourself, use memtest86: http://www.memtest86.com/
(site has both download and directions). Of course, you have to be able
to turn the computer on to use memtest86 ...

As to the cost of installing a new PS, I defer to someone like Malke
who's in the business of repairing computers. But if you want to get a
idea of parts prices, see the Power Supply Selector at
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/power_supplies/selector/

Thanks for your sweet words, Lem. I admire you a lot so your comment is much
appreciated.

Jeffy3 - Read through the link I already gave you about hardware
troubleshooting. Here it is again for your convenience:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Troubleshooting

The easiest way to determine if it is a bad power supply is to swap it out
for a known--working one. A decent power supply will cost around $45-50USD.
Really good psu's can cost twice that. If you are a gamer, buy a really
good one. Do not buy a cheapo psu for $30 just to save $15; it won't be
worth it.

If you want to test the RAM, do as Lem suggested but use Memtest86+ from
www.memtest.org. The original Memtest86 from the website Lem gave you has
been deprecated for many years.

The best way to not get ripped off is to ask friends and colleagues for a
recommendation. Computer repair shops are like anything else - doctors,
plumbers, auto mechanics, etc. - there are honest and good people and there
are bad people. Life is like that. Call around and find out what the normal
going rate is where you live. Here in Fresno, CA, USA I charge $40/hr.
in-shop which is on the lower end. Places like CompUSA charge a flat fee of
around $125. Naturally hardware costs are not included in the labor charge.
Putting in a psu is trivial, so for just doing that it would cost my client
$40 for the labor and around $50 for the psu. Of course, if the psu wasn't
the issue I wouldn't put in a new one!

If you are uncomfortable working inside your computer, then take it to a
local professional after doing a bit of research.

Malke

 

[Lem]

Thanks for your sweet words, Lem. I admire you a lot so your comment is much
appreciated.

Jeffy3 - Read through the link I already gave you about hardware
troubleshooting. Here it is again for your convenience:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Troubleshooting

The easiest way to determine if it is a bad power supply is to swap it out
for a known--working one. A decent power supply will cost around $45-50USD.
Really good psu's can cost twice that. If you are a gamer, buy a really
good one. Do not buy a cheapo psu for $30 just to save $15; it won't be
worth it.

If you want to test the RAM, do as Lem suggested but use Memtest86+ from
www.memtest.org. The original Memtest86 from the website Lem gave you has
been deprecated for many years.

The best way to not get ripped off is to ask friends and colleagues for a
recommendation. Computer repair shops are like anything else - doctors,
plumbers, auto mechanics, etc. - there are honest and good people and there
are bad people. Life is like that. Call around and find out what the normal
going rate is where you live. Here in Fresno, CA, USA I charge $40/hr.
in-shop which is on the lower end. Places like CompUSA charge a flat fee of
around $125. Naturally hardware costs are not included in the labor charge.
Putting in a psu is trivial, so for just doing that it would cost my client
$40 for the labor and around $50 for the psu. Of course, if the psu wasn't
the issue I wouldn't put in a new one!

If you are uncomfortable working inside your computer, then take it to a
local professional after doing a bit of research.

Malke

I'm glad to see you survived last week's heat, Malke. It came East:
it's 100°F in NYC today.

 

[Malke]

I'm glad to see you survived last week's heat, Malke. It came East:
it's 100°F in NYC today.

It wasn't just last week - it was nearly 2 weeks of over 100 degrees,
usually around 113-115. I don't even want to tell you what my utility bill
was. Let's just say that after I got it I had a vodka, and I don't usually
drink!

Today is gorgeous. It's only in the 80's and feels positively coastal. NYC
at 100% with the humidity is truly awful. Stay inside and stay cool!

Cheers,

Malke

 

[Jeffy3]

Malke wrote:
..

The best way to not get ripped off is to ask friends and colleagues for a
recommendation. Computer repair shops are like anything else - doctors,
plumbers, auto mechanics, etc. - there are honest and good people and there
are bad people. Life is like that. Call around and find out what the normal
going rate is where you live. Here in Fresno, CA, USA I charge $40/hr.
in-shop which is on the lower end. Places like CompUSA charge a flat fee of
around $125. Naturally hardware costs are not included in the labor charge.
Putting in a psu is trivial, so for just doing that it would cost my client
$40 for the labor and around $50 for the psu. Of course, if the psu wasn't
the issue I wouldn't put in a new one!

If you are uncomfortable working inside your computer, then take it to a
local professional after doing a bit of research.

Malke

Does anyone have a good link for determining which replacement power
supply will fit into my computer. I have removed the old power supply
,which is a Sparkle Power one , model # FSP250-60ATV. I can find a
bunch of these on the web for as little as $20, but like in the advice
above I don't want to buy a cheapie one, but want to make sure the new
one is compatible in size, shape, screwholes, and the placement of the
on-off switch and the plug receptacle. I may run it up to our
nearest Microcenter store but I don't want to be uneducated before i
get there .Many thanks!