Solve PC Cutting Out Issue: Software or Hardware? | Expert Tips

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a PC that experiences unexpected shutdowns, with participants exploring potential software and hardware causes. The scope includes troubleshooting, hardware diagnostics, and user experiences related to similar issues.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially suspects a software issue but rules it out after reinstalling the operating system and wiping the HDD, suggesting a potential hardware problem instead.
  • Another participant proposes that the motherboard could be faulty, citing personal experience with shorts around the power jack affecting power connection.
  • Some participants suggest the power supply might be the culprit, particularly since the shutdowns occur when additional load is introduced, such as running a CD.
  • One participant shares their experience of similar issues persisting even after replacing the power supply, hinting at possible compatibility problems with newer hardware.
  • Another participant mentions using monitoring software to check temperatures and voltages, indicating that anomalous readings could point to hardware failures.
  • One participant reports stabilization of their system after updates, but expresses intent to upgrade the motherboard and CPU if problems recur.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the cause of the shutdowns, with no consensus on whether the issue lies with the power supply, motherboard, or other hardware components.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various diagnostic tools and personal experiences, but there are limitations in the assumptions made about hardware compatibility and the state of existing components.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing similar PC shutdown issues, those interested in hardware diagnostics, and users looking for troubleshooting advice related to power supply and motherboard problems.

Kurdt
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My PC keeps cutting out on meand has been doing this for about a week now. I had windows installed for about two years and at first thought it was a software issue, but I have wiped the HDD and installed everything from scratch and the problem remains. It tends to just switch off when I run a CD or a program and is impossible to turn back on without cutting the power entirely first.

My second thought was that its obviously a hardware issue. I had a similar problem with an older PC when the fan on the CPU heatsink went and the CPU cooked itself but the fan is fine and the CPU is operating well within manufacturers recommended limits. Are there any other hardware issues that would cause a similar failure?

I do realize as CPU's age they get heat damaged anyway from normal use so could just be that but I wanted to explore all possibilities before getting a new CPU.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
 
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It could be a problem with your motherboard. My old computer had a problem where the main board had gotten old and had developed shorts around the power jack, occasionally causing it to lose its power connection. The fact that you seem to be having issues with your peripherals also points to an old and malfunctioning motherboard.

Thankfully, this is a part that you can pretty much just swap out without much cost or effort.
 
Just a guess. Try power supply, just because you say it drops out when you put a CD in. This would start an additional load on PS.

Some BIOS provide power supply info.
If so you could check if power is correct.
 
its the power suply, i guess, because it happened to me, and it still does, even with a new power supply, stupid old computing hardware. have you got any newer hardware that has been added recently, cause i am guessing that's what happened to mine, with a new dvd recorder and all
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I have a pc probe software that shows temperatures and voltages I'll have a quick look and see what's going on. If the voltages look anomalous then I have a spare power supply I can try from an old pc.
 
thats what was rong with mine, i ran Everest on myn and the same stuff came up, (ambigouus and anomalous lookin temps) and that's what fixed it

even then, the temps could have been to do with the very sorry state that the HDD was in, defragmenter went through it 3 times on its own acord before it was satisfied
 
After I loaded it and all the wndows updates downloaded and installed its stabalised so hopefully it will be ok. Thanks for the advice anyway. I did check the temperatures and voltages and they looked fine if the problem happens again I'm going to get a new motherboard and CPU (I need an upgrade really anyway :wink:).
 

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