Computer crashing
 

Every once in a while my computer crashes, but I'm not sure what it could be. I'm thinking it's either the HD or the power supply. When it crashes I have to flick the power switch in the background and keep it off for like 10 seconds before it'll work again.

Also, when I'm starting my computer up in the morning it usually doesn't get all the way through it, not even to the windows screen. First I can hear it on, but the monitor won't be working. So I turn it off, turn it back on, it crashes. Go through this a few time before it sits at the screen where it checks my processor/ram. I let it sit there for a few minutes and then shut it off and turn it back on, then it'll *maybe* work for a while. If it's really working, I'll be able to play games. Half the time it'll start up to desktop and I can use pretty much everything but I won't be able to play games. I'll open the game, and go to load a map up or whatever and then crash.

So, what do you suggest I do? I might be able to borrow a friends HD and PS to check what's wrong, but I'm not sure. What do you think the problem is? My PS, HD, or something else?

Backup your files, format and reload windows. If you still have problems than you can pretty much rule out a software problem and start troubleshooting the hardware.

Forgot to say that I did format and reinstalled everything, problem was better for a while. Not better, but it didn't crash as often.

In my opinion take if your really having major problems just take it to like a BestBuy or some computer tech check it out. Offtopic: I also have been having problems though here and there with my computer shutting down, I will just be like typing right now and everyonce in a while it will come up with the bluescreen ya know ctrl alt delete etc.. and I will have to turn it off and back on.

If it wasn't a major problem I wouldn't ask for advice. As for taking it to bestbuy or another place, waste of money. I already know that I need to replace something, but I'd rather ask people who don't cost money what it is. Also, they'd probably fix it without asking first and then be like "Well we're gonna need you to pay an excessive amount of money for something you could have done yourself for free and cheaper!"

In order for them to fix it without asking, you have to sign some paper before hand saying that you want them to look for the problem, and that you agree to pay for parts and labor for the repairs. Look for the part about them fixing stuff, cross it out, and have the service rep and youself initial it. That way when they fix it anyway and try to charge you you can sick your lawyer on them :p.

Personally, I couldn't say what your problem is.

It's either your power supply, your video card, or you're getting heat problems.

The first thing you should try is flipping the voltage switch on the power supply to the other setting, then flipping it back. When you push it back to the original setting, put some pressure on it. This sounds stupid, but it fixed a problem of mine once.

If that doesn't fix it, try to boot and go into bios. Check your processor temperature. Are you running an AMD or Intel processor? They run at different temperatures.

Also, you could try another video card if you have access to one. If you're using AGP (likely) you could also try a PCI card (in case it's your AGP slot on your mobo).

There's really not much else that can be determined until you try some things. Give that a go, and post your results.

I just hope the hard drive's not making the "Click Of Death"..

I wonder, would it be a good idea to just go into the boot menu (F8) and leave it running at that point? If it still restarts it's shouldn't be the hard drive or video card in that case.. (they're really not being massively used on a DOS-like menu) and if it doesn't restart, it's probably not overheating (assuming you leave it on for a while)

Me I just cleaned my computer last night defragmented and also downloaded some spy sweeper and I had about 150 spyware,adware, 2 trojans, 1 keylogger lmao. :( which really isn't that funny once I think about it.

It's definitely not a heat problem because it occurs when I first boot it up for the day. Other day I downloaded a large video file (390 megs) and can't keep my computer running throughout the entire thing. It might be my video card, I believe I can borrow one from someone to see if that's the problem. I don't know if it's even worth my time to fix it right now, losing internet in a few days.

It's your memory getting too hot. My computer was doing the same thing a few weeks ago, I could go on for about 15-20 mins, then I'd try and open some porn or something and it'd freeze up.

I moved a fan directly over my RAM and it runs fine now. Dunno if that was the problem, but It IS a heat problem.

It's not your video, Rabber. If it was your video, it wouldn't work in the first place. Or even so, it wouldn't be because of the video playing. Its most likely heat.

Why would a heat problem be caused after it's been off for well over a day?

I had a head problem.

An AMD processor takes less than 5 seconds to overhead. Thus... a head problem can occur RIGHT at startup.

What gear are you sporting?

I do have an AMD processor, it's pretty old, an athlon xp 1600+. I suppose it could be the processor, but I don't see why it would start happening now after not ever doing it for over a year. The fan works fine. Just took everything apart earlier today and cleaned it all out and it's still being a bitch.

Also, when my computer is booting it stops when checking the real clock speed of my processor, which I guess could point another finger at it.

Why bother asking here? Really...

Because lots of people here have a good base knowledge of computers, if not more.

And yes, it could very well be the processor overheating. Wheck your CPU temp in bios during startup. If it's really fucking high, then that's your problem. You can always just get a BIG motherfucking CPU fan like I did.

I had that EXACT same problem on my 1.2 GHz thunderbird system for about half a year. I still don't know for sure what caused it. But the only thing I ever replaced was the PSU, and it stopped happening, but I don't remember if that fixed it immediately or if the problem was actually heat, because I was frequently tinkering with my one-fan case, trying to get it cooler. Here's a suggestion: Open both sides of your case and put a box fan (the big stand up type) a few inches to the left of your system. See if that allows it to run.

Take note that this problem occured during the hotter parts of the year, which is why I attributed it to heat/humidity.

Did you put thermal paste between the heatsink and CPU? If not, that could be an issue. Invest the $7 it costs to get some Arctic Silver 5 off newegg or wherever, and put a dime-sized blotch of it in the middle of the processor. Apply heatsink, and the paste will ooze out the edges over time. This can reduce heat by 5-7 degrees C.

Well my computer just crashed, so on the restart I checked the temperature, only 98 F. I'll try getting a friend to lend me his processor and swap that in there, if the problem doesn't happen I'll know what it is. If it's not the processor I'll probably get a new power supply.