Why does my Computer Just shut off while im using it?

Question

It just shuts of every time im using it. It will stay on for about 15 minutes then shut off every time i use it. Then i have to wait like 5 minutes before i can turn it on because its just turns off agian. It it possible that it over heats. And how DO I BACK up my files

Answer 1

You actually had a fatal error. Thats the good ole blue screen of death. except in XP, it is set up to restart after a fatal error occurs to minimize damage. so you dont see what the error was... just that there was an error.

follow these steps to determine what the error is:
1. click start
2. click control panel
3. click on the system icon
4. click on the Advanced tab
5. click the settings button under Startup and Recovery
6. under the "System Failure" section, uncheck the box next to "Automatically Restart".
7. click apply and wait for the error to occur again. write down the error code (it will look like a long line of gibberish) then PROMPTLY turn the computer off.
8. go to: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1173/en-...
9. enter the error code into the "Search support (kb) windows xp" box in the top right of your browser window BELOW the "need more help?" graphic.
10. this will tell you exactly what is occuring and what you can do to resolve the issue.

this sounds like somthing is overheating. my guess is that when you restart the machine right after it occurs, it doesnt take quite as long to occur the second time as it did the first. if you smoke near the computer, the little cooling fans attached to video cards are known for collecting alot of dust and smoke particles.

Answer 2

if you think overheating may be part of the problem get one of those caned air things and blow out the dust from the inside. if it makes a funny noise get a new fan to replace the warn out one. i would also try a virus scan to see if you have a fixable virus.

as for backing up files, get some cd's and shove the informaiion on them.

Answer 3

one quick way to tell if its an over heating problem is to take the side off and place a fan(set on low speed)next to it blowing inside.If it does not shut off while you are using it then you have diagnosed the problem...If this is the problem then clean the fan screens with canned air.Or just blow really hard...good luck

Answer 4

your processor is obviously overheating, you need to replace the cpu fan, if that does not fix it, apply some of the cpu grease that they sell in computer stores.

Cleaning the fan is not suggested, however that is the most commonly used method, CPU fan makers suggest that you avoid using cpu fans long after they begin to gather large ammounts of dust, at which point they are probably reaching an age of poorer performance.

Answer 5

Sounds like it is overheating.