Shutting down

[Deleted]

My pc started shutting down by its self yesterday. Only does it once in awhile. Did it twice yesterday. Anyone ideas why this would be happening?

[Klutz]

Sounds like a power supply issue to me or maybe a loose connector.

[{[SACK]}Donefore™]

Clean it?

[Deleted]

I keep it clean. Maybe it is the power supply. I will check the connections also thanks guys.

[/-/NOX!UZ]

Is it like Windows shutting down randomly?

If its Windows, might have to do with autoupdating or a stuck update thats being forced but isnt installing as it should, so it keeps trying to shutdown to install an update. Or worst case a virus.

Or is it like poof! out of nowhere the entire system completely turning off, power and all?

If you clean it out regularly, check the connections and fans, make sure theyre all working and seated properly. Sometimes a hanging wire can shift and block a fan causing that part to overheat triggering a System poweroff (happened to me before at least) Most modern mobo's will completely cutoff if something is overheating to prevent damaging the parts. If you check connections and all the fans appear to be running at good speed to dissipate heat, then its most likely the power supply. If your a Geeky PC guy, the best thing you can do is test your power supply (if you have a power supply tester, like 15$ on amazon or newegg), if it appears to be the problem, to make sure the 5v, 12v etc is not falling below what it should be, before you spend money to replace it. Just so youre 100% sure its the problem before you spend money on a new one.

If you dont want to go through that process though, just make sure you get a namebrand PS, none of that cheapass offbrand china crap. Those chinese knockoff powersupples will only end up frying your etnire system half the time when they die randomly.

I'd recommend Thermaltake or Corsair PS's, with no less than an 80+ gold rating, if you do buy a new one. Just from my experience with those.

[/-/ShinJin]

A dying fan usually makes weird noise.
A dying RAM can be tested with the program MEMTEST : www.memtest86.com/ (would likely lead to a blue screen)

The power supply can be tested with this dedicated & simple tool : www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-PC-Computer-20-24-Pin-4-PSU-ATX-BTX-ITX-SATA-HDD-Power-Supply-Tester-/201548609576?hash=item2eed3bb828:g:4RMAAOSwZtJW9OjW

I would recommend you to monitor overheating of components : SPECCY is a easy/free tool to do it. www.piriform.com/speccy
This could help for diagnosis. For example if thermal paste between your processor and motherboard is old and dry, processor could overheat and auto shutdown the PC. This paste is easy to replace, but you may have it done if you don't know how to do it (not too much / not enough).

If the power supply is ok, then it could be your motherboard "dying".

[Spud]

Damn, with the transfer of server ownership it looked like this was related, lol. Startled me a bit.

[tiebarjr]

Does it shut down when your playing games? Mine just did this and it ended up being a power supply issue but also my cpu was running to hot.

[/-/ShinJin]

Whatever the quality of your power supply, I would advise all to use an extra Uninterruptible Power Supply (dunno the common name) such as a APC UPS. Basically the battery will stabilize the current delivered (it transforms the alternating current into continuous current, and a surge protection is not sufficient) and extend life duration of electronical devices plugged. The price is reasonable regarding to the price of devices.

For the overheating aspect, the cooling system has to be cleaned regularly (generating static electricity it agglomerates dust, ...).
If it's insufficient then change the fans or improve it (bigger case, more fans or even watercooling). It will also extend life duration (this is the main issue for laptops).