My computer keeps shutting down
c0bo
Posts: 6,468 Forum Member
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Hello everyone and a happy new year.
I recently got a computer of my sister and it keeps shuutting down.
It happens mostly when I'm installing something.
Thanks and I'll be grateful of your help.
I recently got a computer of my sister and it keeps shuutting down.
It happens mostly when I'm installing something.
Thanks and I'll be grateful of your help.
0
Comments
The operating system is Windows XP and I was installing an updated version of Itunes for my Ipod. The computer also shuts down when I'm ripping music of a CD or installing Windows Media Player or on the internet.
No it doesn't display a error message and yes it does beep before it shuts down and also it take ages to to turn it back on.
Yes it is well ventilated.
Check event viewer. Start and search and may display why turns off. Sounds like hardware problem to me. may to early to judge.
What full specs of PC make and model would be useful.
Sorry but I'm going to sound stupid but how do I find out the full specs of a computer?
And sadly I don't know the make of my computer.
IF you go in system information should be there. Go to start and search system information press enter it should load. IF the windows xp was OEM and installed by the manufacture then should say the model of the PC too. I would also contact who ever the PC was bought off.
Thanks,
I think I found it:
System
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service pack 2.
Computer
Intel (R)
Celeron (R) CPU 2.40GHz
2.42 GHz, 248 MB of RAM
I hope that helps.
I did contact the person who I bought computer of and they said that it has never broken down on them.
So your saying that if I get Service Pack 3 that should stop the computer from shutting down.
And with any luck I should get Pack 3 without the computer shutting down on me.
My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I saw how much ram you had in it. 250MB of RAM :eek: I remember back in 2004, my HDD used to thrash like mad before I installed 2GB in it.
Oh right I see.
A few questions:
How do I remove the side of a computer?
What does the heatsink look like?
The side panel of the tower should screw off. Some screws at the back of the panel. The heat sink is the bottom of the fan.
http://www.3cvillage.com/cayman/images/heatsink-cm-sock-a-a.jpg
I'd also advise you not to go removing anything. No offense, but it seems as if you don't know anything about computers.
So what do I do?
I would agree i would not attempt opening up the case if i was you OP if you have a dell machine run the hardware diagnostics as seems it may be hardware related with it shutting down maybe overheating has the case been hot to the touch or psu related. If the ram was 248mb then your computer would be unlikely to run if you have an decent antivirus and firewall installed and running as it would take 256mb or more to run more than you supposedly have.
My advice would be take it to a local computer repair shop and they will diagnose it for a small charge.
Is there a brand name (Dell, Packard Bell, etc.) on the case or sticker? And is there a Windows XP serial code stuck to the back or side of the case?
Sometimes I just wish that I knew how a computers works.
The computer just literally shuts down.
Their is no brand name on the case and their is no serial code stuck on the side or the back of the case.
This means it's a dodgy copy of XP and more likely a hardware problem. To be honest, you're probably better off picking up a refurbished PC online, usually around £80 or less. These will come with a small warranty and genuine XP. Even if you pay someone to fix this, you'll still need more RAM, XP will still be dodgy and a second-hand computer really should be wiped and reinstalled before using it anyway.
Before continuing this discussion your should install SP3 and all important updates through Windows Update before continuing with the troubleshooting. There is no guarantee that that will fix your problems, it likely on its own won't, but it is important that you put your system to it most up to date configuration before continuing.
Dave
Well after looking at it again I did see a sticker say "Intel inside Celeron" at the front and their is sticker with a code on it.
Unless the sticker looks like this, it's a pirated copy of XP.
A second-hand, unbranded PC, running XP Pro with no COA. What are the chances of it being genuine?
The problem with using the installed version of XP is that no one knows exactly what condition it's in or if it's full of malware and the previous owner's (maybe dubious) files and internet history. A clean install is always recommended with used PCs, but as you note, this is going to be difficult for an inexperienced user with no XP disk. Add the fact it's shutting itself down, doesn't have enough RAM, almost certainly has a dodgy XP and the better option would be to buy a properly refurbished machine rather than pay someone to try and fix this one.
Yes, that's an XP serial. Although it looks ripped and you can no longer read the key, you can use Magic Jelly Bean to reveal it. Make a note of the key, as you will need it if you reinstall XP.