Computer randomly shutting down

[Mike Burdick]

My computer is locking up and shutting down randomly. When this happens it won’t boot up until I remove the ram and reinsert it. Then it works just fine for a while but, as before, it will suddenly shut down and I have to redo the process mentioned above to get it to work again. I’m using Windows XP Professional.

Is the ram at fault or am I just doing something that I’m unaware of to fix it (like resetting something by removal of the ram)? If it is the ram, is there anyway I can test it?

Thanks in advance…

Mike

[Mausau2000]

Is your ram or proccesser getting too Hot???

[Mausau2000]

Try going into Adminitrater Tools and disable Romote Access and remote adminitration

[Mike Burdick]

Mausau2000,

Thank you for your response!

I don't think it's getting hot - a least from the bios information it isn't. What do you think of this: I'll remove the side cover and use an exterior room fan for additional cooling and see what happens.

I did a google search using "computer randomly shutting down" and got pages of hits of people with the same kind of problems. Trouble is though, they don't post as to how they finally fix it! :(

-Mike

[PeOfEo]

do you get any kind of a blue screen. This does not appear to be a heat issue... if your thermoster on the proc or motherboard were killing your system because of heat you would get a BSOD for sure. Do you have one stick of ram or two? Do the two sticks have the same cas lantencies? What is the brand of your ram? Is your processor Amd or intel? What is the brand of your motherboard? Do you hear any kind of clicking or other noises (this would suggest hard drive failor, which can cause a sudden unexpected lockup or just cause the system to cut off).

[Mike Burdick]

My computer works fine except when it gets "pushed" so to speak. If it's running explorer or word it seems to be okay but if I use a program that it really has to number crunch it fails. If I let the computer sit for a while and then start with the number crunching it will work for maybe 20 minutes just fine and then suddenly shut down.

:confused:

[RGPHNX]

Hi MIke,
The info in your last post doesn't give us all that much to go on so far as hardware issues are concerned.. Could you reply to PeOfEo's post with more specifics so we can be of help?
Thanks
RGPHNX

[Mike Burdick]

Thanks guys!

Here's some information I gathered:

Ram:Two sticks.

I put two identical ram sticks, from a known working computer in our office, into the "problem" computer. Same problem occured - it shut down about one hour while working on an AutoCad drawing. I also switched them and tried one at a time, and still no-go. The ram that was in there has been working just fine for several years. I also put the ram from the "problem" computer into the other computer and after a day or so no problems on that computer. Behavior is normal.

I can't find any markings on the ram other than PC-100, 94V-0, and made in the usa 1997.

Regarding heat: I took off the side cover and made sure all the fans were working. I then took a room fan and used that for additional cooling but it did not prevent the shutdown. The bios says the cpu at failure is 98 degrees F and the temp in the computer is 89 degrees F.

One other item I noticed: The computer fails when it works hard as in working a huge photo or doing a lot of "number crunching".

I reformatted my drive and reinstalled Windows XP with no problems. I also ran chkdsk on the harddrive and it came out okay with no bad sectors etc.

I do not hear any "odd" noises from the computer, just the normal short beep that it makes on every startup as before. When it shuts down it's like it is going into sleep mode but it won't "wake up" from it.

PSU voltages : (from bios)

Vcore : 1.64V
5V : 5.05V
Vcc 3V : 3.15V
12V : 12.22V
Vbat : 3.10V
5VSB : 4.72V

Mother Board JetWay
processor pentium III

Mike

[Mausau2000]

Get Sandra or PC doctor
Run a ram and CPU test dont know web adrress though...
Start up computer time how long it takes to shut down then do it again any pattern

[Mausau2000]

Turn of your Screen saver and automatic Sleep

[PeOfEo]

But still no blue screen eh... that would certainly help if it gave you an error message.

[JPnyc]

Try asking here. (http://discussions.virtualdr.com/index.php?) That forum is specifically for general PC troubleshooting and tech support.

[RGPHNX]

Hi again Mike,
If you tried the ram in a different computer (under the ~ same operating conditions/workload/programs) and it worked OK..then..
you can try a RAM test program as Mausaau suggested..just to be sure.
What's left ??..unfortunately ..lots...
If the power suppply is functioning (check the fan) AND the hard drive light AND/OR the computers power on switch light are BOTH ON (ie "lit up") WHEN THE COMPUTER SCREEN GOES BLACK/fails...then....
> the CPU is dying (get a CPU test program & run it when you first turn the computer on & again after you've been computing for awhile- & compare results)
> Video Card ?? OR motherboard video circuitry is failing... If its a video card you can swap it out to another PCI slot on the motherboard - make sure it's a PCI type card & NOT an AGP type card).
> the monitor is failing (connect it to another computer & let it run awhile to test it)
> the motherboard is malfunctioning.
Hope this helps
RGPHNX
ps- post back & let us all know how it sorted out.
PPS- If you need help with these instructions you can check out my website for more info & PICs etc.

[PeOfEo]

If this isn't ram or processor I would think this could be a motherboard chipset failor. This could be a problem with the northbridge. I would test the processor in another box if possible.

[Mike Burdick]

Okay,

I'll check these suggestions out and get back with you all!

Thanks a bunch...

Mike :)

[intelligentfool]

i worked a job for a while troubleshooting pc's. the program we used for memory testing is memtest86. we normally would start the program before leaving for the night, and let it test until we got in in the morning. it keeps cycling over and over until you stop it, which is nice to find out if in fact it is some sort of heat issue, or if any sectors are bad in the ram.

http://www.memtest86.com/

[N00blewebpager]

um who much ram do you have ?? that may sound like a dumb question but idk?

[Mike Burdick]

New error:

On boot-up this error was given: "CPU speed and ratio were lost" and gave instruction to go to the bios and enter the required information. I did so and it booted up.

Does this help in your evaluation?

Mike

[intelligentfool]

i think this is a little beyond me. if you have the money, try a new mb. but first check with the guys at www.anandtech.com they are uber nerds and usually can help you pin down a hardware issue.

[Mausau2000]

new MB will fix problem but check with www.anandtech.com frist