Computer question

indeed, but he hasn't tried the easy test for the power supply - xp cd, leave it in, leave a diskette in the drive to see if it shuts down/restarts, etc. due to overheating. it's an easy test to follow.

 

I've heard that this problem is related to the CPU getting too hot. When the CPU gets too hot, it automatically shuts the system down. Are all of your fans working? Is your system overclocked?

Dom

 

if he is asking where the power supply is, he didn't overclock the system.

 

What problem are you trying to source here? PSU overload, or overheating?

The main issue related to power supplies causing restarts isn't them overheating, but rather being required to deliver more power they're designed to. This is also not an easily found problem. For example, a system may run fine when surfing the Internet and using Office applications, but the system reboots when you try to play a game or run something like 3D Studio Max. Basically what is happening is that the sudden power requirement increase from the graphics card pushes the system over the limit. Your test method wouldn't find this. The same can be said for added power requirements of multiple hard drives.

With regards to overheating, a system sitting idling with a disk spinning in the drive is not going to prove whether a system is overheating or not. Computer components produce way more heat when they're actively being used; this applies to CPUs, graphics cards, hard drives, even sound cards! So overheating issues may be non existant with the system idling in the desktop, using the Internet or Word, but develop after playing a game for a certain period of time. Also this can vary depending on the ambient temperature of the room the computer is in!

 

LOL

Well that was a waste of my time. Wish I had seen he was 12 earlier. *sigh*

It's not a total loss though if the more extensive replies people make about computer problems are saved in a sticky. I've seen numerous threads where people are asking about the same problem; you could practically copy and paste your replies. So frustrating!

 

Tried what already? What's still not?

Your system being "just an old computer" is not a valid reason for the problems you described.

There are always specific causes of hardware failures. Be it overheating, static discharge from dust buildup, manufacturer design fault, hardware incompatability, physical damage, etc.