computer shutting down by itself

I hope this is the right group to possibly help me. If not, kindly
direct me to the correct place to post my problem:

A few days ago I turned on my Windows ME pc, it booted up, but while I
was out of the room, it turned itself off. It would not turn back on
with the Start button on the tower, but once I unplugged AND plugged the
tower back in, the green light next to the plug in the back of the tower
re-lit, and then I was able to turn on the pc as normal by pushing the
start button. No problems for a few days.

Today it did it again. I re-set the pc (unplugged/plugged back in;
greeet light back on) and turned it on. I got to my desk top, all icons
loaded, and I went into a program (Netscape). Before it had a chance to
load, the pc blinked off. Again, I re-set the pc and turned it on.
Desktop loaded. All icons loaded. I went into WordPerfect, recalled a
doc, and started typing. PC clicked off.

I waited a few minutes. Re-set the pc. Turned it on. It blinked off
while it was still booting/loading desktop icons.

Then I turned on the pc and F8'd it. Left it in that mode to see what
would happen, and within two minutes, pc clicked off.

Came back a few hours later. Re-set pc. Turned it on. This time, I
did NOT click the button to 'Restore my Active Desktop' AND I let the
ScanDisk run. My ScanDisk hasn't worked well in yrs, so I've been using
a different Scan/Defrag problem other than the one that came with the
pc. Anyway, I let it run. It cycled through a few times, but it DID
complete the 'basic' Scan. Now the pc has been working fine for hours.
I still have not restored my active desktop, but did back-up all my
files in case this problem means my hd is failing?

My system is a Hewlet Packard. Windows ME. Tower model Pavillion
7845. The hd is less than 25% full. The fan IS going. I checked.

In the yrs I've had this pc, whenever it's frozen (very INFREQUENTLY),
I've had the same problem where I couldn't get the pc to do anything
until I unplugged the Tower. But until this week, it had NEVER turned
itself off.

I have AVG doing a daily anti-virus scan. I almost NEVER dl anything
nor open ANY attachments. I doubt it's a virus. AVG is updated
automatically. I use Executive Software Diskkeeper than runs a slight
scan every day and a FULL scan weekly. My hd has never been over 1%
fragged.

Any suggestions? I'm really computer illiterate when it comes to
problems like this. Do you think it's a software or hardware problem,
and if hardware, what do you suggest? Also, what type of place do you
suggest I call for repair? I've recently moved to KY and don't know any
good places for repair as I did back in NJ. The pc is out of its 3-yr
warranty.

I've experienced NO other problems with this pc, and I bought it new.

ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Thank you,
Bobbett

*Please* cc any replies to my email: bobbett@alltel.net
--
Third star to the right and straight on 'til mid-afternoon...

war17
Sat Apr 10 01:33:05 CDT 2004

It sounds like a hardware problem. Check the hard disk and power supply.

Run an online test to check your hard disk to see if it is any good.
www.memtest86.com

Check the power supply. With the power off, use compressed air to clean out
dust from the fan and power supply area. Swap out with a know good power
supply.

--
Warren
For additional help, post in
http://groups.msn.com/HelpforInternetExplorerorWindowsME/homepage

"Bobbett" <bobbettj@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:4deac709.0404091804.34d32029@posting.google.com...
> I hope this is the right group to possibly help me. If not, kindly
> direct me to the correct place to post my problem:
>
> A few days ago I turned on my Windows ME pc, it booted up, but while I
> was out of the room, it turned itself off. It would not turn back on
> with the Start button on the tower, but once I unplugged AND plugged the
> tower back in, the green light next to the plug in the back of the tower
> re-lit, and then I was able to turn on the pc as normal by pushing the
> start button. No problems for a few days.
>
> Today it did it again. I re-set the pc (unplugged/plugged back in;
> greeet light back on) and turned it on. I got to my desk top, all icons
> loaded, and I went into a program (Netscape). Before it had a chance to
> load, the pc blinked off. Again, I re-set the pc and turned it on.
> Desktop loaded. All icons loaded. I went into WordPerfect, recalled a
> doc, and started typing. PC clicked off.
>
> I waited a few minutes. Re-set the pc. Turned it on. It blinked off
> while it was still booting/loading desktop icons.
>
> Then I turned on the pc and F8'd it. Left it in that mode to see what
> would happen, and within two minutes, pc clicked off.
>
> Came back a few hours later. Re-set pc. Turned it on. This time, I
> did NOT click the button to 'Restore my Active Desktop' AND I let the
> ScanDisk run. My ScanDisk hasn't worked well in yrs, so I've been using
> a different Scan/Defrag problem other than the one that came with the
> pc. Anyway, I let it run. It cycled through a few times, but it DID
> complete the 'basic' Scan. Now the pc has been working fine for hours.
> I still have not restored my active desktop, but did back-up all my
> files in case this problem means my hd is failing?
>
> My system is a Hewlet Packard. Windows ME. Tower model Pavillion
> 7845. The hd is less than 25% full. The fan IS going. I checked.
>
> In the yrs I've had this pc, whenever it's frozen (very INFREQUENTLY),
> I've had the same problem where I couldn't get the pc to do anything
> until I unplugged the Tower. But until this week, it had NEVER turned
> itself off.
>
> I have AVG doing a daily anti-virus scan. I almost NEVER dl anything
> nor open ANY attachments. I doubt it's a virus. AVG is updated
> automatically. I use Executive Software Diskkeeper than runs a slight
> scan every day and a FULL scan weekly. My hd has never been over 1%
> fragged.
>
> Any suggestions? I'm really computer illiterate when it comes to
> problems like this. Do you think it's a software or hardware problem,
> and if hardware, what do you suggest? Also, what type of place do you
> suggest I call for repair? I've recently moved to KY and don't know any
> good places for repair as I did back in NJ. The pc is out of its 3-yr
> warranty.
>
> I've experienced NO other problems with this pc, and I bought it new.
>
> ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Bobbett
>
> *Please* cc any replies to my email: bobbett@alltel.net
> --
> Third star to the right and straight on 'til mid-afternoon...

donutbandit
Sat Apr 10 01:46:11 CDT 2004

bobbettj@hotmail.com (Bobbett) wrote in
news:4deac709.0404091804.34d32029@posting.google.com:

> ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Check the power supply and the memory.

Nicholas
Sat Apr 10 06:07:28 CDT 2004

Check following

1. The hard drive has not been pushed too far into the drive bay and is
knocking the on/off switch if it is fitted in that area

2. That the connections from the on/off switches to the motherboard ( bottom
right corner) are firmly in place

3. That no insects have taken up residence inside the computer. Dont laugh
it can do this

here_and_there
Sat Apr 10 06:42:37 CDT 2004

On 9 Apr 2004 19:04:22 -0700, bobbettj@hotmail.com (Bobbett) wrote:

>I hope this is the right group to possibly help me. If not, kindly
>direct me to the correct place to post my problem:
>
>A few days ago I turned on my Windows ME pc, it booted up, but while I
>was out of the room, it turned itself off. It would not turn back on
>with the Start button on the tower, but once I unplugged AND plugged the
>tower back in, the green light next to the plug in the back of the tower
>re-lit, and then I was able to turn on the pc as normal by pushing the
>start button. No problems for a few days.
>
>Today it did it again. I re-set the pc (unplugged/plugged back in;
>greeet light back on) and turned it on. I got to my desk top, all icons
>loaded, and I went into a program (Netscape). Before it had a chance to
>load, the pc blinked off. Again, I re-set the pc and turned it on.
>Desktop loaded. All icons loaded. I went into WordPerfect, recalled a
>doc, and started typing. PC clicked off.
>
>I waited a few minutes. Re-set the pc. Turned it on. It blinked off
>while it was still booting/loading desktop icons.
>
>Then I turned on the pc and F8'd it. Left it in that mode to see what
>would happen, and within two minutes, pc clicked off.
>
>Came back a few hours later. Re-set pc. Turned it on. This time, I
>did NOT click the button to 'Restore my Active Desktop' AND I let the
>ScanDisk run. My ScanDisk hasn't worked well in yrs, so I've been using
>a different Scan/Defrag problem other than the one that came with the
>pc. Anyway, I let it run. It cycled through a few times, but it DID
>complete the 'basic' Scan. Now the pc has been working fine for hours.
>I still have not restored my active desktop, but did back-up all my
>files in case this problem means my hd is failing?
>
>My system is a Hewlet Packard. Windows ME. Tower model Pavillion
>7845. The hd is less than 25% full. The fan IS going. I checked.
>
>In the yrs I've had this pc, whenever it's frozen (very INFREQUENTLY),
>I've had the same problem where I couldn't get the pc to do anything
>until I unplugged the Tower. But until this week, it had NEVER turned
>itself off.
>
>I have AVG doing a daily anti-virus scan. I almost NEVER dl anything
>nor open ANY attachments. I doubt it's a virus. AVG is updated
>automatically. I use Executive Software Diskkeeper than runs a slight
>scan every day and a FULL scan weekly. My hd has never been over 1%
>fragged.
>
>Any suggestions? I'm really computer illiterate when it comes to
>problems like this. Do you think it's a software or hardware problem,
>and if hardware, what do you suggest? Also, what type of place do you
>suggest I call for repair? I've recently moved to KY and don't know any
>good places for repair as I did back in NJ. The pc is out of its 3-yr
>warranty.
>
>I've experienced NO other problems with this pc, and I bought it new.
>
>ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
>
>Thank you,
>Bobbett
>
>*Please* cc any replies to my email: bobbett@alltel.net
Reads like a power supply problem, or a faulty motherboard connection.
Overheating can cause this so make sure all vents in teh PC arfe clear
(remove lint & dust). Check the fan on the CPU as it gets dirty too.
Then make sure all memory chips are firm in their sockets, and all
cables are firm.

bobbettj
Sat Apr 10 17:58:12 CDT 2004

"Nicholas Thornbury" <nicholas.thornbury@btopenworld.com> wrote in message news:<c58khg$7eu$1@hercules.btinternet.com>...
> Check following
>
> 1. The hard drive has not been pushed too far into the drive bay and is
> knocking the on/off switch if it is fitted in that area
>
> 2. That the connections from the on/off switches to the motherboard ( bottom
> right corner) are firmly in place
>
> 3. That no insects have taken up residence inside the computer. Dont laugh
> it can do this

Will try to check all these things tonight and see what happens. I
really could believe the insect idea.

Thank you,
Bobbett

bobbettj
Sat Apr 10 17:59:22 CDT 2004

donutbandit <none@none.com> wrote in message news:<c5857j$rds$2@news.snowcrest.net>...
> bobbettj@hotmail.com (Bobbett) wrote in
> news:4deac709.0404091804.34d32029@posting.google.com:
>
> > ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
>
> Check the power supply and the memory.

How do I do that? Can it be done simply, or do I need some type of
electrical equipment?

tia,
Bobbett

bobbettj
Sat Apr 10 18:04:34 CDT 2004

"war17" <war@nospam.com> wrote in message news:<107f59a7ohhfmb1@corp.supernews.com>...
> It sounds like a hardware problem. Check the hard disk and power supply.
>
> Run an online test to check your hard disk to see if it is any good.
> www.memtest86.com

I apologize for being so clueless. I went to the page you suggested.
WHICH thing do I dl? I *thought* it should be the first one: 3.1a I
dl'd it. Double clicked the install from that folder, and all I got
was a mini-dos window that opened up and this message: Error: Can't
find "rawrite.exe". This program must be in the same directory as the
install script. Installation failed!

What does all that mean? What do I do to correct it? I'm completely
confused. Sorry :-(

> Check the power supply. With the power off, use compressed air to clean out
> dust from the fan and power supply area. Swap out with a know good power
> supply.

Can do the cleaning, but do not have a known good power supply. Where
do I get one of those?

Thank you,
Bobbett

Rick
Sat Apr 10 18:34:52 CDT 2004

For somebody who claims to be computer illiterate, you seem to have
pretty good maintenance habits.

Your problem sounds like a short or break in the power supply (physical
or logical) or possibly a bad memory chip.

Either way, the first thing (that I'd do) would be to go into the BIOS
and turn off any power-saving features. Then boot using your Windows
Emergency Boot Disk and leave it in DOS for a bit and see what happens.

Is your clock keeping correct time ?



Rick



Bobbett wrote:
> I hope this is the right group to possibly help me. If not, kindly
> direct me to the correct place to post my problem:
>
> A few days ago I turned on my Windows ME pc, it booted up, but while I
> was out of the room, it turned itself off. It would not turn back on
> with the Start button on the tower, but once I unplugged AND plugged the
> tower back in, the green light next to the plug in the back of the tower
> re-lit, and then I was able to turn on the pc as normal by pushing the
> start button. No problems for a few days.
>
> Today it did it again. I re-set the pc (unplugged/plugged back in;
> greeet light back on) and turned it on. I got to my desk top, all icons
> loaded, and I went into a program (Netscape). Before it had a chance to
> load, the pc blinked off. Again, I re-set the pc and turned it on.
> Desktop loaded. All icons loaded. I went into WordPerfect, recalled a
> doc, and started typing. PC clicked off.
>
> I waited a few minutes. Re-set the pc. Turned it on. It blinked off
> while it was still booting/loading desktop icons.
>
> Then I turned on the pc and F8'd it. Left it in that mode to see what
> would happen, and within two minutes, pc clicked off.
>
> Came back a few hours later. Re-set pc. Turned it on. This time, I
> did NOT click the button to 'Restore my Active Desktop' AND I let the
> ScanDisk run. My ScanDisk hasn't worked well in yrs, so I've been using
> a different Scan/Defrag problem other than the one that came with the
> pc. Anyway, I let it run. It cycled through a few times, but it DID
> complete the 'basic' Scan. Now the pc has been working fine for hours.
> I still have not restored my active desktop, but did back-up all my
> files in case this problem means my hd is failing?
>
> My system is a Hewlet Packard. Windows ME. Tower model Pavillion
> 7845. The hd is less than 25% full. The fan IS going. I checked.
>
> In the yrs I've had this pc, whenever it's frozen (very INFREQUENTLY),
> I've had the same problem where I couldn't get the pc to do anything
> until I unplugged the Tower. But until this week, it had NEVER turned
> itself off.
>
> I have AVG doing a daily anti-virus scan. I almost NEVER dl anything
> nor open ANY attachments. I doubt it's a virus. AVG is updated
> automatically. I use Executive Software Diskkeeper than runs a slight
> scan every day and a FULL scan weekly. My hd has never been over 1%
> fragged.
>
> Any suggestions? I'm really computer illiterate when it comes to
> problems like this. Do you think it's a software or hardware problem,
> and if hardware, what do you suggest? Also, what type of place do you
> suggest I call for repair? I've recently moved to KY and don't know any
> good places for repair as I did back in NJ. The pc is out of its 3-yr
> warranty.
>
> I've experienced NO other problems with this pc, and I bought it new.
>
> ANY help/suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
> Bobbett
>
> *Please* cc any replies to my email: bobbett@alltel.net

Nicholas
Sun Apr 11 06:06:51 CDT 2004

Oh and also that of course all the cards are firmly in place. Check memory
boards as well

They can work loose

Nick
"Nicholas Thornbury" <nicholas.thornbury@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:c58khg$7eu$1@hercules.btinternet.com...
> Check following
>
> 1. The hard drive has not been pushed too far into the drive bay and is
> knocking the on/off switch if it is fitted in that area
>
> 2. That the connections from the on/off switches to the motherboard (
bottom
> right corner) are firmly in place
>
> 3. That no insects have taken up residence inside the computer. Dont laugh
> it can do this
>
>