system suddenly shuts down

[Guest]

While I am using a multimedia program, like windows movie maker or picture
viewer, or sometimes playing back music my system just shuts down. I have
noticed that the cpu usage is 100% whenever this happens, it is a memory,
hardware, or software problem? Also when I restart, I get no messages the
system comes right up, and on shutdown, there are no messages or warnings, it
just shuts down. Although on some occasions the system won't come right up, I
get a black screen, shut off manually then re-boot and all is ok. Any help?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

While I am using a multimedia program, like windows movie maker or
picture viewer, or sometimes playing back music my system just shuts
down. I have noticed that the cpu usage is 100% whenever this
happens, it is a memory, hardware, or software problem? Also when I
restart, I get no messages the system comes right up, and on
shutdown, there are no messages or warnings, it just shuts down.
Although on some occasions the system won't come right up, I get a
black screen, shut off manually then re-boot and all is ok. Any help?

Anything in the Event Logs?

 

[Guest]

Anything in the Event Logs?

--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
getting into before you jump in with both feet.


where do I check my event logs?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

While I am using a multimedia program, like windows movie maker or
picture viewer, or sometimes playing back music my system just shuts
down. I have noticed that the cpu usage is 100% whenever this
happens, it is a memory, hardware, or software problem? Also when I
restart, I get no messages the system comes right up, and on
shutdown, there are no messages or warnings, it just shuts down.
Although on some occasions the system won't come right up, I get a
black screen, shut off manually then re-boot and all is ok. Any
help?

Anything in the Event Logs?

where do I check my event logs?

Check your event log for errors, search the web (with Google) for
solutions to these errors. (Start -> Run -> eventvwr)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

Check the airflow in your PC. Make sure all fans are working and there
is proper ventilation.

Test your system memory for problems:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
(*makes diskette to boot from)
and/or
http://www.hcidesign.com/memtest/

Download and install, update, scan with and immunize with several
different anti-spyware applications. (Lavasoft AdAware, Spybot Search &
Destroy)

Update and do a full Antivirus scan with whatever AV software you have
going. If you do not have one, get one!

Go to the manufacturer's web page for each of your hardware components
and download them then install them. Especially Video and Chipset. If you
have an AGP video card, make sure nothing is installed in the PCI slot right
next to the AGP slot.

If all else fails, check the motherboard manufacturer for a BIOS update.
This is a "last resort" thing, because it can be tricky - however, I am now
becoming more comfortable with suggesting this as long as you know you have
good/stable electrical power in your area.

 

[Guest]

Virus,
Run complete scan on all disk. Sounds like a codebase deriv.

 

[Guest]

Check your event log for errors, search the web (with Google) for
solutions to these errors. (Start -> Run -> eventvwr)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

Check the airflow in your PC. Make sure all fans are working and there
is proper ventilation.

Test your system memory for problems:
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
(*makes diskette to boot from)
and/or
http://www.hcidesign.com/memtest/

Download and install, update, scan with and immunize with several
different anti-spyware applications. (Lavasoft AdAware, Spybot Search &
Destroy)

Update and do a full Antivirus scan with whatever AV software you have
going. If you do not have one, get one!

Go to the manufacturer's web page for each of your hardware components
and download them then install them. Especially Video and Chipset. If you
have an AGP video card, make sure nothing is installed in the PCI slot right
next to the AGP slot.

If all else fails, check the motherboard manufacturer for a BIOS update.
This is a "last resort" thing, because it can be tricky - however, I am now
becoming more comfortable with suggesting this as long as you know you have
good/stable electrical power in your area.

--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
getting into before you jump in with both feet.

I tried running a viris scan and system shut down, same thing happened when I tried a memory test.

 

[w_tom]

A rather complete and better explanation of what to do, why
to do it, and how to break the problem down into parts was
posted on 8 Dec 2004 in this newsgroups
(microsoft.public.windows.help_and_support) entitled "Help
With Computer Lockups".

At the end of the post is a list of things to do first.
That priority list also applies to your solution.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the info, but before I start on the power supply, this is a
toshiba sattelite laptop, I have a powered fan base under to help cooling,
and just recently while browsing another shutdown occured. I had I-tunes
running while browsing and all of a sudden a shutdown without warning, also
now in my task manager I cannot view anything besides programs running, no
processes or graphs options are there anymore.

 

[Ed Medlin]

Thanks for all the info, but before I start on the power supply, this is a
toshiba sattelite laptop, I have a powered fan base under to help cooling,
and just recently while browsing another shutdown occured. I had I-tunes
running while browsing and all of a sudden a shutdown without warning,
also
now in my task manager I cannot view anything besides programs running, no
processes or graphs options are there anymore.

You might try http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_home.jsp and
check and see if your problem is listed there. It sounds like a hardware
problem and may need to be returned to Toshiba for repair.

Ed

 

[w_tom]

In Device Manager, any device with a problem is highlighted
with an explanation point encased in a yellow triangle. If
you, then Windows is not complaining about hardware or
hardware drivers.

I am assuming the event log indicated no errors or warning?
These may be an indication of what later caused a shutdown.

Laptop means you cannot do any further hardware checks other
than run the manufacturer's comprehensive diagnostics
(obtained also from manufacturer's web site). Run diagnostics
worse case - without any cooling fan beneath the laptop. Best
way to verify laptop memory, hard drive, etc is when
diagnostic runs in a warm room - but its cooling system not
obstructed. Heat is an excellent diagnostic tool.

This is the best you can do to verify hardware integrity.
Then move on to possible software suspects.

Rather concerned about Task Manager not working. That
program is a high priority program - that should be working no
matter what (in most cases). Don't recall, but you did the
standard virus checks using a program with a latest update?

 

[Guest]

ANYTIME I try to do a complete virus scan the system shuts down, this also
happens most times I try to use disk cleanup. Fans swith to high speed to
cool system then a few seconds the shutdown happens. This is why I tend to
think it might be a cooling prob. Recently I cannot even burn a CD without
the system shutting down.

 

[w_tom]

What did the manufacturer's comprehensive diagnostics
report? Hardware problems that diagnostics might detect also
cause the same symptoms. Currently you have insufficient
information to suspect anything.

This is an Intel processor? If heat causes a shutdown, then
the laptop has defective hardware. Intel CPUs for decades only
slow down with high heat. You are (I assume) running in a 70
degree room. Therefore if heat is a problem, then internal
hardware is defective. You are well below any max temperature
that any laptop must work just fine in.

Again, I still don't see reports from comprehensive
diagnostics. I do not see whether Device Manager did or did
not have yellow triangle warnings for hardware. We don't even
know yet if you have a hardware or software problem. That is
why the diagnostics are so important. Without that
information, then we can only wildly speculate.

Yes, even defective memory could result in fan spinning
faster just before system crashes. Memory problems would
cause unexpected system crashes. More reasons why those
comprehensive diagnostics are executed. Increased fan speed
tells us nothing about a potential heat problem - especially
since most Pentiums even without a heat sink simply slows
down:
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20010917/index.html

Increased fan speed just says something (such as the now
confused and crashing software) cause strange system
problems. One thing least on the list here is a heat
problem. At best, heat is only exposing defective hardware.
And again, if an Intel CPU was overheating, then it would only
just slow down - not crash.

 

[Guest]

No warnings in device manager, I did a network diag. and found that one thing
failed (default outlook express news) news.verizon.net I get a run time error

 

[Guest]

I cannot run any type of check, system keeps shutting down. I cannot get
system to boot from floppy to run a memory diag. as well.......HELP

 

[w_tom]

Do the diagnostics run without Windows? If they do, then we
know which way to go - hardware problem. IOW acceptable
hardware diagnostics must run without Windows so we can make
this 'fork in the road' decision.

This will assume we are moving on to hardware. First step
is to confirm the foundation. All other hardware displays
strange and unexplained mishaps if DC voltage is not correct.
Best way to perform this test is to leave everything as it and
get the so inexpensive 3.5 digit multimeter. Basically, we
confirm the numbers on power up AND then confirm those numbers
remain within the upper 3/4 of those limits as more hardware
executes programs. Procedure takes but minutes and reports so
much:
"Computer doesnt start at all" in alt.comp.hardware on 10
Jan 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/2t69q or
"I think my power supply is dead" in alt.comp.hardware on 5
Feb 2004 at
http://tinyurl.com/yvbw9 ,

In your case we are looking mostly for a significant drop in
either 3.3, 5, or 12 volts as the multimedia program loads -
and that these critical voltages remain in those upper 3/4
limits during all times.

The procedure notes how the three power supply subsystems
works. Maybe not mentioned is that if power switch is stuck,
the it too could cause unexpected shutdowns. The meter can
also confirm power switch operation - although I doubt that is
the problem.

While you are doing this, of course, make note of fans.
They must start up every time. Sometimes a fan does not
startup for a while. Just another standard check to perform
while verifying hardware.

The intent here is to first confirm DC power is OK. Once we
have verified the power supply subsystem, then we are ready to
confront other usual suspects.