computer shuts down-noise comes from computer--not speakers

[Guest]

i have windows xp professional--no service pak 2---all drivers are updated,
etc...
Has been scanned thoroughly for viruses, none to be found & I've reformatted
the disk on several occasions and reloaded the operating system....

My computer occasionally shuts completely down with no warning--just a
"click" sound, shuts off & a high pitched humming sound comes from the
computer itself--no speakers are hooked up... The only way to get it to stop
is to turn off the switch on the back & unplug the power supply cord---it
won't stop just flipping the switch on the back.. Everything is new on my
computer--replaced all parts -- the power supply is a 250 watt, new, I bought
it before I upgraded my motherboard & processor--motherboard does specify a
350 at least... I have removed all components except for the floppy, hard
drive, cd/rw-dvd/rw combo and video card... You can boot the computer right
back up----usually not running many programs when it happens--may be on the
internet or in my Quicken program.....Very sporadic also---it sometimes goes
for a week at a time before it does it again...

Could there be so much drain from the motherboard on the power supply that
it is shutting down to keep from overheating???? My case is "gaming
case"---has lots of fans hooked up so I don't think the motherboard is
overheating.

I am at a loss----not sure if it possibly could be the power supply or maybe
the video card..... Has anyone had this problem----especially the high
pitched humming sound?????

 

[gerryf]

....just a power supply that cannot supply enough power. You're lucky it
boots up. The power supply is shutting down because you're drawing more
power than it can deliver and if it did not shut down, it would likely melt.

 

[Nancy]

power supply sounds faulty. You could try unplugging on device at a time
when you start to hear the noise.