Is this a virus or something else

Keanosafc

I have a dell dimension 5000 (second hand) and a few weeks ago after using it, the pc would just shut down by itself.

It would not reboot afterwards for at least half an hour, someone on this site suggested it could be a problem with the fan/psu.

When it was suggested before I tried the dell diagnostic's however no problems showed up with the fan, hard drive or anything else.

The problem has started again, after 3 weeks.

The pc simply shuts itself down, and the power button flashes an orange light, (its normally green when working properly)

The dell diagnostic book states there will be four buttons a,b,c,d and whichever sequence these flash it will indicate the problem.

The thing is I don't get any of these lit up, just the power light flashing orange on and off.

I'm now wondering if it is a power supply problem, a fan, hard drive, or a virus.

I'm typing this message using safe mode after its been down for half an hour. I want to run an antivirus but afraid in case that heats it up and somehow damages the hard drive.

Please give some advise on this. Thanks.

ormus

more likely to be overheating, or maybe a duff battery.

Keanosafc

Ive been onto Dell, and they've done a troubleshoot session with me, they reckon that the dialup modem is faulty which is causing the system to shut down.

I've removed it as it's obsolete and it's working fine so far, but the machine normally works fine for an hour or so. would people concur that this could be the problem, Ill update this post if it carries on crashing. or not.

colin2002

Sounds to me like an overheating problem, can you take the side off and make sure all the fans are running and heatsinks are making proper contact.

It may also be worth checking all connectors and pushed home and try reseating the ram in its slots

Keanosafc

Thanks Colin, I've tried it again today, it worked for about 10-15 minutes before switching off. (it worked for a few hours after I had spoke to dell and removed the dialup modem),

by process of elimination it's sounding/looking like it could be a heating problem, the only thing is though . I've ran the dell diagnostic check a few times, which checks the fan on high and low settings, and it has passed these checks.

I've removed and refitted ram, all cables I can see, the video card, wi-fi card, everything, (i think).

Is there another way to check whether it is the fan that is giving me problems.

ps. thanks for your input.

colin2002

if the fans are running they are probably OK. Does the PC go through the standard windows stutdwon or does it just turn straight off?

Keanosafc

it turns itself straight off, and then won't turn back on for half an hour, or an hour.

it can last for a couple of hours before this happens, but when it does itt will only power up for 5-10 mins.

Its got me baffled, as I've recently installed a new hard drive due to the problem now the same is happening with the new hard drive as well.

Dell have just suggested it could be the motherboard, hope its not though.

BillScarab

If it's overheating you could try running it with the side off as this will help cool it down more, if it works OK then it suggest overheating. Obviously do not touch anyhting in the case if you do run it with the side off!!!!!

You could also download speedfan, this will monitor your fans speeds but more importantly it monitors your CPU temperature so you can see how hot it is getting while you use the pC.

DellCA

John here, support analyst at Dell headquarters.

From what you've described, I would almost rule out an overheating issue immediately. When a system overheats, it generally *locks*, not spontaneously shuts down. Your system is instead shutting down and going into "power save mode".

I would instead suspect either a power supply problem or a blown capacitor on the motherboard. The power supply is most likely fairly inexpensive, so I'd try that first.

John
Dell Customer Advocate