we have a 3 year old computer. just recently it keeps shutting off and when we turn it back on it works for a while. we took it to geek squad and when the guy checked it he said it could be a memory stick or hard drive issue. it is not over heating but when we picked it up to take it to get checked a crap load of dust fell out. my question is how can I figure what part of my hard drive is corrupt?
2007-06-22 16:27:31 · 8 answers · asked by Brenda 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
I don't think it is your hard drive. You would see some type of error message or the computer would not boot. I also don't think it is a memory issue. If it was, you would hear a series of beeps when you first turn on the computer. Could be the power supply going bad, the CPU over heating or something as simple as a loose connector. Open the case and make sure the fan that sits atop the CPU has no dust between the heat sink and fan. You will know what I am talking about when you look at it. If there is dust on the heat sink, you will not be able to see the the heat sink's fins. Carefully clean this off. I find using tweezers and/or real sticky tape works best. While you are at the CPU, there should be a wire running from the fan to a spot next to the CPU on the motherboard. Make sure that is plugged in securely. The compound that is between the CPU and heat sink could have been burned off, and new compound needs to be applied. You have to be careful removing the heat sink and fan, as you could damage the CPU. While you have the case open, take the time to clean out the "dust bunnies" and make sure all of your fans are working. When the computer shuts off, is there a smell at the back of the computer near the power supply? If so, the power supply is going or has gone bad. Make sure the fan on the power supply is working. If it is not working, replace the power supply as soon as possible.
If you have a local computer shop, take it to them to get a second opinion. If you know somone who builds their own computers, ask them to take a look at it. If you can't fix it yourself, you just might have to take it to be repaired.
2007-06-22 17:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Rogue S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is the hard drive, usually you'll get hard disc errors in Windows. Eventually the drive may just crash and you'll lose all your data.
But my guess for shutoff issues is that is the power supply or the motherboard. The power supply is fairly inexpensive and most computer shops should replace it easily. The motherboard is more costly and probably wouldn't be worth to replace, just buying a new system completely with that money.
2007-06-22 16:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by shadowkat 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The greater icons you have on your taskbar is the subject. each and each of those represent a application on standby waiting to apply. The device has to close down thoroughly each and each application earlier preceeding to the subsequent one etc. an analogous is in opposite, in the event that they are interior the "initiate up" folder at this methodology checklist, the device a lot each and each application so it is going to run earlier proceeding to the subsequent one. some are positioned there directly with the aid of a application once you install it. What I recommend is, word them and desperate what you desire to load on the initiate up and only delete something. some courses in spite of if don't have a itemizing so which you will could flow into this methodology and take out the tick or in spite of the place it says "load this application while beginning your laptop" or something like that!
2016-10-02 23:58:50 · answer #3 · answered by pomar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my bet is the power supply fan has seized up and therefore is not expelling the heat from the power supply.
The power supply has a high temperature thermister that will cut the power should it reach the set temp.
if the fan spins, then blow the crap out of the power supply or just get a new one for about $40
2007-06-22 16:53:26 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey F 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.pcpitstop.com
will generate a report about your system with recommendations and comparative score with similar system.
2. A simple one click program Advanced Windows Care V2 Personal from http://www.iobit.com will clear most issues.
Use the Memory cleaner Under tools.
From the start list un check or delete all unwanted programs at start up.
3. This program clear all junk you have .
DiskSweeperFree2 from
http://www.craveworldwide.com/disksweep.zip
check the 3 options at bottom left of menu also.
Zero bytes/skip hidden files/skip system files.
More====>>> if needed : add details here.
2007-06-22 16:38:52 · answer #5 · answered by essbebe 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
A bunch of trojan horses will cause your computer to shut down. If you can keep it on, long enough, download and scan with A squared, from Emnisoft.com, or you can find it on Downloads.com also. Watch it while it scans, and delete them as the scan finds them. Hope that might be your problem, it is free if it is.
2007-06-22 16:36:34 · answer #6 · answered by Joan H 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Remove the heatsink and add some heatsink compound and clean the fan and the fins of the heatsink
2007-06-22 16:37:34 · answer #7 · answered by Big Dude 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
how many memory and memory slot u have? if 2 memory, try to remove one and test one by one. if only have 1 memory, try to remove it and test to other memory slot.
power supply may one issue by change it to other supply unit to test.
what is the crap load? error messange?
2007-06-22 16:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by Tze Ai 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋