My PC keeps switching off

chickmug

espresso wrote: »

When you cleaned inside the PC, did you get all of the crap out between the CPU heatsink fins?

Usually an air duster is needed to do this properly.

Yep got into all the fins!

chickmug

A:I wrote: »

That wouldn't cause immediate shutdown though (i think thtas what the OP is having).
Try with 1 stick of RAM in. Or it may even be a short.

Do you get into Windows?

Sometimes into windows and sometimes not.

chickmug

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

have you got a desk fan?

while the side is off put a desk fan next to it and keep it switched on while using the PC and see if it switches off. Should be an indication of it is overheating...
(i have to do this with my oven as the internal thermostat / fan behind the dials has blown and over heats)

Will dig out my fan although ironically today is -5 where I live!!!! Brrrrrrh!

chickmug

Earlier I cleaned out and left side panel off and tower on top of desk and left for several hours and it did not switch off

Then put it back on floor in usual spot and started the switching off again. Just put back on my desk top and stayed on for 15 minutes.

Started to think something to do with intermittent fan fault or is it. I wonder if taking out a 1gb ram stick will prove anything or should I be disantling fan/s to see if they need (oiling or whatever needs doing)

A:I

try it with one stick in. If you feel adventurous, take everything out of the case and strt it up outside of it. So we can be sure it's not shorting out.

AHAR

I'd recommend checking the motherboard for capacitor failure.