My computer turns itself on and off repeatedly on it's own so now I have to unplug it. What's wrong?!?

Question

It happened once about a month ago, it shut itself down. I restarted it, then turned it off and didn't think much more of it. Last weekend I was listening to music when everything on my desktop shut down and then the shut down screen came up. I thought it was odd that it told me it was shutting down. I tried restarting it but it just goes on and off, never to the point of fully restarting.
I opened the box and blew all the dust out, and I held down the power button to restart it and it's still having fits. I'm afraid that is the end of my computer expertise.
This computer is a Gateway pc and its 2 years old with Windows XP Home Edition. It hasn't been connected to the internet in about 8 months, but I do use a jump drive that has touched the internet. And I do have current Symantec Anti-virus software, current from 8 months ago.
So...help...please. Is this a simple fix, like maybe a stuck button or cable, or should I take it in...and where is a good place to take it?

Answer 1

The first time you turn on your computer, does it turn on all the way? Then shuts off after a few minutes?

If this is the case, your processor might be running too hot. It could be a loose heater core (heat sink) or a blown cooling fan. If this is the case, your computer shuts down to prevent further damage.

Otherwise, it may be a virus, motherboard, or a bad power supply.

Answer 2

The CPU, motherboard and/or power supply is overheating which is why it happens when you're watching videos or running several applications. If it's the CPU or motherboard, the onboard temperature sensors are detecting the problem and shutting down to save the computer. Normally, the computer should beep about the overheat condition but yours may be different. First, while the computer is running, put your hand near the fan at the back of the computer where the power cord plugs into the box. Make sure you feel air flowing. If you don't, then the power supply's fan may be dead. You'll need to replace the power supply (or have a repair person open the power supply to replace its fan). If the power supply is moving air successfully, and you're comfortable opening your computer, open the box and locate all the fans that are inside. There may be one or two mounted to the front, rear or sides of the case. There will also be one on the CPU with a large metal heatsink. Make sure that the one on the CPU is working. If it's not spinning, start playing a movie and it should start going before the whole system turns off. If the fan never turns on, it needs to be replaced. Check the other fans in the case. They may only turn on when the computer is working hard so play some videos and see if they start running. If one of them is dead, you may want to replace it. The most critical fans, though, are the CPU and power supply ones. Now that the computer is open, clean all the fans and vents with compressed air. You can buy cans of compressed air from computer/electronics stores. DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner as it can generate a lot of static electricity as well as suck up little parts out of your computer.

Answer 3

it could be a virus if you do not update your virus scanner often. Or it could be an Hardware issue. Try downloading AVG free edition http://free.grisoft.com/
do a virus scan, and remove any viruses
if that does not help it could be a hardware problem and your going to have to take it in to get fixed :/

Answer 4

Could be many thingsL

A bad power supply, motherboard going, CPU issue.

Take it to a small computer repair shop.

Answer 5

Go into your bios and see if your power supply is putting out what it should on all its rails. If it isn't replace it.

Answer 6

You need a repairman. I do house calls. I'm in the yellow pages.

Answer 7

a while back there was an old trojan that would do that. not sure could be hardware.