by ~*~Danyale~*~ N.
Member since:
October 1, 2007

Computer Question "My Computer Keeps Shutting Off..."

July 15, 2011 03:58 AM UTC
views: 0 | 2 people recommend this | comments: 24

Ok so basically I want to see if anyone can help me. First off I'm saving up for a new computer now but want to know if I should move fourth and go ahead and buy a power supply for the one I'm on. Ok my computer is fine but I will be watching a video or playing a game or anything with flash, java or something like that and my computer will either freeze completely can't move the mouse without restarting or it will just turn off and restart itself. I have no idea what it could be but when I research it online it says your power supply can do this. My fan in my power supply that should blow the heat out the back I'm not gonna lie isn't running so we have to keep a fan on the whole computer I just wonder if now its just not enough. I mean when we had dialup we probably never had to worry cause we couldn't watch videos or play movies anyways so we didn't notice. But I can't even put a dvd movie into watch without it shutting down or freezing. I was just curious if ya'll think I should get a new power supply for now to get me by and if that sounds like its my problem. I mean what else can cause it I was skeptical that it would shut down just when I use video or something but was told its cause my computer works harder so needs to be cooled off. Anyways any helpful advice I appreciate.

Comments: 24

Jeff G. Jul 15, 2011, 4:47am UTC
You could try replacing the power supply, but this sounds like an overheating GPU or possibly the north bridge controller chip. Is the inside of the system dust free? As long as there aren't any pets or children around, you can leave the side of the computer case off to let the fan blow on the electronics directly as a last measure before buying.

Is your graphics card on-board, or is it a card in the system?
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 6:19am UTC
ok so if those things u mentioned are overheating is there away to fix this or does it mean my computer is shot? Also if I let the flan blow right into my computer with the side panel off this wont mess up anything like throwing extra dust in it that would cause a fire or anything else? Also the outside we just recently dusted off as well as the inside even cleaned the fan that keeps the board cool and it worked for a day and then went back to the same thing again
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 6:20am UTC
as far as graphics card i have no idea i think its considered internal cause isnt that what your monitor plugs into if so its not removable like the plug ins area
Jeff G. Jul 15, 2011, 10:02pm UTC
as long as you vaccum out the interior once a week more or less depending on how dusty your place can get, then blowing with the side off should be fine. The power supply itself uses the most electricity out of all your hardware. The more the wattage, the more stuff it can handle inside your system.

What I would suggest is, if there is a place for it, add a fan that will blow out from the back of the machine, which will act like a replacement for your power supply, but it wouldn't hurt to replace the power supply and get another internal fan also.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:22pm UTC
thanks so much do you know which power supply I would need for my machine I have the Emachine W3080?
Jeff G. Jul 15, 2011, 11:35pm UTC
For your system probably nothing over 400w ATX.. 500w at the maximum.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 16, 2011, 9:08am UTC
ok thanks again I appreciate it
Beth J. Jul 15, 2011, 7:07am UTC
Thanks for sharing on Helping Out One Another
Angie O. Jul 15, 2011, 7:34am UTC
If you are using a surge protector, try another one plus another cord just to be sure it is not something easy like that. Cleanr up all old files and defrag in case you have an overload.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:23pm UTC
I tried this today thanks and still does it sadly :( thanks though
Ada D. Jul 15, 2011, 8:59am UTC
The CPU is probably overheating because the fan s not working. You can get a replacement fan for about $10. All you have to do is unplug it from the mainboard, remove the screws that hold it to the case, and take it to a computer supply store so they can look up the right replacement for it. You probably also need to clean dust out of the case, because that contributes to the heat problem.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:25pm UTC
cleaned it out good and the fan on the power supply is the only one not working
Pamela Marks Jul 15, 2011, 9:18am UTC
sounds like you need to do a factory reset
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:23pm UTC
done that still doing it though
Marsha C. Jul 15, 2011, 4:07pm UTC
Steve's laptop kept shutting itself off. He bought one of those fan things to plug in and set under it but it kept happening. It didn't stop until someone told him to remove his screensaver and such. He did that and it's not messed up since.
That probably doesn't help you.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:24pm UTC
no it don't help sadly cause I'm using only the screensavers that came with my computer thanks though
Lori A Jul 15, 2011, 6:44pm UTC
sounds like its getting hot we had one that did that because the fan was not working well
~*~Danyale~*~ N. Jul 15, 2011, 10:25pm UTC
the fan on the power supply is the only one not workin so who knows
Beth J. Jul 16, 2011, 5:11pm UTC
comment Fairy
Was Here
Adelaide M. Jul 17, 2011, 9:37pm UTC
Thanks for posting to Point Taken. Have a great night!
Tina Dalasinski Jul 18, 2011, 7:27pm UTC
Hope you get your problem taken care of soon.
Sandy Moore Jul 20, 2011, 9:29pm UTC
Sounds like Jeff might have gotten things taken care of for you.


Thank you for sharing with Watching The Wind Blow By
Matthew A. Jul 22, 2011, 12:58am UTC
I read your other post.

While the power supply may have been the issue, it's not always the case. If it helped, but still freezes and shuts down, it may be that the CPU is overheating. Check that the little fan on the CPU is running properly. Is so, then check your other fans as well. You should have a minimum of three fans in your case (one on the front of the case pulling cool air into the case, one on the back of the case pushing warm air out of the case and one of the CPU pulling hot air off of the CPU's heat sink.
Renita P. Apr 12, 2012, 11:48am UTC
This comment is to let you know that your content has reached 50 views and has been removed from "Let’s Get To Know Each Other." Thanks for posting.

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