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PC shutting down

34 replies

bigTillyMint · 14/09/2012 17:36

Our PC seems to be doing wierd things like shutting itself down when left for say 10mins.

I have clicked to restore to previous settings incase someone has inadvertently done something and it now seems to be stuck.on a screen which says please wait while your windows files and settings are being restored System Restore is initialising - that circle is going round and then it just went off so I pressed the power button and the same screen came up.

Help! PleaseSmile

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BigRedCheeks · 15/09/2012 11:54

We had exactly the same problem, ended up getting a new pc, mini mac it's amazing! You can take your pc apart, just the top and give it a Hoover inside, a friend who works with pcs told me this. Sometimes it's just a case of overheating and dust. Give it a try, good luck!

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:00

Thanks for that!

We have also had a blue screen with a memory dump message twice now, but once switched off and back on again, seems OK. Did you have that?

Maybe we should get it serviced? Is it worth it? It's probably a couple of years old.

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BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:01

It's probably something in the power settings. If you go into the control panel there should be an option called something like "power settings" "power saving" "eco settings" etc. They're for laptops really, not desktops, but someone might have accidentally changed the mode somehow. On here you can choose what happens if the PC is left idle for a set amount of time, if you set it to "Do nothing" then it will stay on until you shut it down.

Catsmamma · 15/09/2012 12:03

my laptop does this when it is choked up with cat fluff needing a clean. It makes the most pitiful pingy squeeeeeeeee noise when it does it too.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:03

THanks for that - have just briefly looked, but it seems to be set to normal Dell settings rather than eco mode Confused

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bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:04

So we would open up the hard drive? Gulp! That sounds very technical!

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BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:04

Blue screening as well as this could mean something worse then - I'd get it looked at if I were you. Don't go to somewhere like PC world if you can avoid it, find a small local independent shop. Ask around for recommendations but these kind of shops are less likely to rip you off because your custom is more important to them :)

BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:06

Is it definitely shutting down or is it just in "sleep mode"? My computer is set to go into sleep, the screen switches off and the main computer unit goes silent (the fan stops) as though it has been switched off but it wakes up if I click the mouse. This is more of a hardcore/deep setting than standby when a press of the keyboard keys or just moving the mouse is enough to wake it.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:06

Bertie, that is what I feared. We have used a local outfit for our previous PC, so it looks like we'll be giving them a call Sad

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BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:08

Did you buy it second hand? 2 years doesn't sound long for a computer to completely conk out if you bought it new. I guess if they were really cheap parts... hopefully it can be saved.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:08

When it went off a couple of times yesterday it was definitely off. And then frozen screen. Moving the mouse did nothing, nor did Alt/Control/Delete.
But it's working fine today, and was yesterday after a turn off and back on.

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bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:09

No it was brand new.

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bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:09

God, I'll have to go rummaging for the receipts now!

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BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:12

Have you defragmented it? That's easy to do.

Go to:
Start
Programs/All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Defragmenter/Disk Defragmenter

And then follow the instructions. It can take a few hours if you've not done it in a long time, so do it when you don't need the computer for a while.

SunWukong · 15/09/2012 12:14

Power supply might be fucked and giving out uneven current, the switching off could emergency shut off kicking in.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:17

Actually, maybe it was more like 3 or even 4 years. Time flies....

I will have a go at doing the defragmenter thing - thanks!

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BertieBotts · 15/09/2012 12:19

Ah okay - 3 or 4 years seems more likely that something might have died. It might be that you can just replace that one part and it will keep going though :)

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:25

Fingers crossed, and thanks again!

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Rikalaily · 15/09/2012 12:33

It could be the power supply or that there is a critical error in Windows, either way it's cheaper to fix both of these issues yourself rather than getting a shop to do it if you are willing to give it a go. You can order a power supply and a new copy of windows online (you may have a back-up preinstalled though if you bought the pc new). I order from play.com or ebuyer.co.uk.

First I would take the side off and have a look inside and see if the fans are chocked with dust (the ps fan is at the back of the pc at the top and is a grate with holes) Give them a hoover (carefully) if they are dusty and see if it helps, you can get cans of compressed air from computer shops to give them a really good clean too.

If still the same issue I would replace the power supply, you can see which one is in there already from a sticker which is on the back or side (if it's on the side you can take it out easily as they are just screwed onto the rail inside and slide out) The connector cables are easy, they only plug into one place on the board (and you can see where the old ones are plugged in) so you can't get it wrong. Power supplies usually cost about £20 or less (unless you are a gamer and need something with more oommf).

I got my Windows 7 from Ebuyer.co.uk for about £70 and it's super easy to install, just back up your stuff onto disk or another hard drive if you have one, put in the windows disk and follow the instructions, takes less than an hour.

My PC is left on for most of the day, even when not in use and I find that my power supplies last 2-3 years (I have a gamer grade one as I sometimes play) Even with regular cleaning etc so it's most likely this. But I don't usually get the blue screen when they are failing, I get random switch offs even when in use. It's always worth reinstalling Windows now and then though to keep it running super sweet and always worth having your own copy of windows on hand just for the repair function which can save you a reinstall sometimes.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 12:53

Wow thanks for that! Not sure I am confident enough for power supply changes though Blush

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SunWukong · 15/09/2012 13:02

May i point out that you can get cans of air inpoundland would also be worth looking at the motherboard.

It has lots of little tin can looking things on it with x on the ends, if they are leaking or not sitting on the motherboard but sticking up above it on little stillts it's buggered.

ThisisaSignofthetimes · 15/09/2012 13:10

If you haven't already done so, do a back up.

bigTillyMint · 15/09/2012 15:34

Went on the defragmenter and apparently it defrags once a week at 1am, so it can't be that!

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SnapesOnAPlane · 15/09/2012 15:40

Does disk defrag defrag even if the computer is switched off? Shock That clever little thing!
What brand is your computer, Tilly?
I only ask 'cause my Acer can restore itself to factory settings, a blank slate, it fixed everything I ever managed to cock up Blush (many, many, times).

This looks like it could solve it ebay link

LegArmpits · 15/09/2012 15:51

Could be some dodgy RAM.

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