Computer shuts down randomly

[Koveras]

Ok so recently my computer has been shutting down on its own when I'm in the middle of gaming or running multiple programs at the same time.When it shuts down a message pops up thats so quick I barely catch it,it says could not find file and then it turns the cpu completely off.Also when I turn it back on it says that the S.M.A.R.T. hdd is disabled.This doesn't happen every time I'm on but it seems to be happenning more frequently.If someone could help me out with this I would really appreciate it.

[GiPilot12]

sounds like you have a missing file or something that did not get installed properly. I personaly would do a windows repair, but that may just be a last resort.

[dr_roberts49]

Need the specs on your computer. CPU, operating system, video card, the usual suspects. How new/old is your computer? Did this just start happening? These are questions the gurus on this board are going to ask so they can help you, Koveras. And welcome to TechIMO.

Robert

[adam-red]

Have you checked your CPU temp?

[Koveras]

My cpu is a northgate pentium 4 2.5 gh, ATI Radeon 9600 series graphics card,windows xp home sp2, my computer is only a year old and this just started happenning about a week ago.I have checked the temp and it's only at 45c and shut down is at 65c.It actually shut down while I was writing this and when I rebooted it didn't say the S.M.A.R.T. hdd was disabled like before.Also I just changed my internal dvd burner from a just link rw5240a to a sony dw-q120a dl burner,I don't know if this has anything to do with the problem but it seemed to start happenning about a week after I changed.Thanks for helping out and let me know if you need any more info

[dr_roberts49]

Okay, it doesn't restart, but completely powers down? Maybe the power supply? How do you have your computer powered, is it hooked into a surge protection device?

Robert

[Koveras]

Yeah it completely shuts down,and yes I have it plugged into a surge protection outlet,along with my printer,speakers and monitor.

[RetroEvolute]

When you are booting your computer up, hit F8 immediately before the windows loading to screen to get more options. Among many different selections, you'll see the commonly used 'Safe Mode' Selections and whatnot. In this situation, do not use safe mode, but rather another choice lower in the listing.

There should be a choice to keep the computer from rebooting at an error like you're having. Once you've done this, just wait for it to happen again and write down the error info and then we can see if we can do anything.

Most of the time, when this happens, it's some error within Windows, or some corrupted Windows file, etc. Often, this will require a repair install of windows or a fresh install, however, there's a chance that all you may need to do is reinstall a driver or two or possibly tweak a few things... So, don't do anything drastic before really looking into your error.

[dr_roberts49]

When you get into your BIOS, check to see if you have a setting that shutdowns your system when the cpu reaches a set temp. See if it's enabled. RetroEvolute has a very good point. Don't do anything too drastic at this point.

Robert

[Koveras]

Ok I have gone into bios and disabled the reboot on system failure and the shut down temp is enabled at 65c=shutdown.I've been running games and programs to try and get it to display the message but no luck yet.I will repost when it happens.

[RetroEvolute]

Awesome. I'm excited to hear some results!

[dr_roberts49]

Good luck!

Robert

[Koveras]

So it finally shut down when I was playing neverwinter only this time there was no message it just turned off.When I turned it back on I hit delete to check temp and it was at 57c and down where it says the fan speeds=cpu fan 0 rpm and system was at like 2600 rpm.Could it be that it is overheating because my cpu fan isn't spinning?

[dr_roberts49]

Your temps would be way higher than 57c if your cpu fan isn't working, but that might be a false reading on the temp or the fan. Open your case and power it up and get a visual. If the fan isn't spinning, you might have found the source of your problem.

Robert

[Koveras]

Ok I opened the case and rebooted my cpu and the fan is spinning but only for about a minute then quits,this is normal I'm assuming.

[RetroEvolute]

Wait... The fan quits and never comes back on again...? What?

[dr_roberts49]

That baby should be spinning 24/7. As long as your computer is on, that fan needs to spin. I use a Thermaltake as my cpu fan, and it comes with speed control that I have mounted in one of my computer bays. It allows me to increase my fans rpms. I also have a front panel that monitors temps on my cpu, mainboard, case and each of my 4 hardrives. I usually keep my cpu fan running in the mid-range, but if I'm doing some stuff that starts to bump up the temps, I increase the fan speed. Spent extra bucks on this Fan Master monitor, but it sure gives me peace of mind.

I would recommend getting yourself a new fan & heatsink combo right away. I wouldn't even use the computer until you've done this. Since your computer has been shutting itself down, it's possible there has been no damage. Keep us posted.

Robert

[AnakiMana]

Wait, don't get a new heatsink/fan unit yet. A lot of computers have a BIOS option for "smart fan" or fan controls of some sort. If enabled, it will automatically turn off your fan(s) until certain temps are reached. I have this option on my PC now, and I've seen it on some PCs that we sell at my workplace. It's a bit unsettling to me, so I always disable that feature so it's always spinning.

[Koveras]

Oh sorry it took so long to write back,I checked the bios and I didn't have the smart fan option so after much frustration I just took it in and had it fixed.The guy said that the fan was burnt out and it was overheating but there was no permanant damage.So it seems to be working fine now,thanks for all the help.

[dr_roberts49]

Good to hear that. Thanks for letting us know. It looks like your problems are over.

Robert