Computer Hardware problem

[skeety]

okay...I'm more of a software guy, and pretty good with most hardware, but where I'm having problems is:

I'm definitely having a hardware problem with one of my PC's at home. But I don't know how to tell if it's the CPU, the motherboard, or the memory.

If it were a soundcard, I'd know. A network adapter, I'd know. A video card, I'd know. But when it comes down to those three...not sure how to diagnose which it is.

THe symptoms of hte problem are:

1. Computer will randomly shut off while doing stuff. not shutdown...but instanly power off. (and I know the powercords/etc are all in good shape and connected properly).
2. Every once in a while, prior to loggin into windows, I get a message stating that some part of the registry was recovered. I think this is a side-affect of the first symptom.
3. When starting the computer...sometimes, it will restart in the middle of coming up. (as if something went REALLY wrong while checking the memory or other hardware components).
4. Every 4 or 5 days, after I log in to windows, all my settings are lost (background, desktop icons, etc). If I don't do ANYTHING, and just restart the computer...next login, all my settings are back. If I DID happen to do something (like change a setting, etc), then I have to use system restore and go back a few days to retrieve all my settings. This part makes sense. But the cause is unknown to me.

I'm 99.9% sure I don't have any viruses, and I'm 80% sure my Windows XP OS isn't corrupted. I definitely think it's a hardware problem...and the problems with windows are the result of not shutting down properly (not that I have a choice when the PC randomly shuts off).


Anyone know a way to determine which is the problem? (without replacing each and seeing which one works best)?

[jenajet]

Mine was doing that before it finally died. I suspected it was the power supply so I put a knew one in and it worked fine after that. Just something to check.

[theplatypus]

It could be any number of things. You can run Memtest86 to find any ram problems. Check with your HD manufacturer for disk diagnostic software. I would look at a heat,power supply, or hd failure if virii have been ruled out. Have you been messing around in the BIOS? Maybe an accidental oc. Do you have a spare power supply to test with? If you have spare parts around you could just start swapping out pieces until you isolate the problem.

[Phishnoob]

I had an HP computer and the power supply in mine did that for a while then poofed. The little LED in back would not come on at all. Jena and I both had HP's and the same problem and one stupid brand of power supplies was notorious for failing that way in just a year or so.

It only cost like 60 bucks online or something for a new brand replacement and I just googled it.

The other problems could just be fallout from the hard and incomplete starts...for instance your computer doing nothing while outlook rebuilds itself.

[tashier]

I think you should try giving it a fresh water dip.

[tashier]

No really... that is a tough type of problem to troubleshoot. People always call me for computer problems and I tell them it's impossible for me to do it over the phone. Things I've seen cause that type of problem:

Loose power cord
Bad Power Supply
Overheating (Pentium 4's run very hot)
Bad Memory
Bad Motherboard

Try swapping out hardware that's cheap and easy, powersupply, remove extra RAM 1 at a time if possible. If you think it's hot, leave the cover off and see. Of course changing out your MB is the most expensive and unless you swap it out with the exact same you will need to reinstall your OS.

Sean S.

[Twitterbait]

Tashier nailed it... let me give you some procedural advice... this depends on how good you feel about getting into your box but if your ok with it do this.

First grab a bottle of alcohol (the stuff you use on your skin, not your tummy )

1. open the box and turn the pooter on. see if the fan on the power supply, processor, and video card is running. if any of these are not running smoothly then replace right away. turn the computer off and vacuum the box out, you may need to use some compressed air to blow the dust out of the heatsinks.

2. if the fans work right then start pulling the cards off the motherboard and clean the gold teeth on the bottom with swabs and alcohol. when they are dry firmly press them back into their slots. when that is done do the same thing to the memory sticks.

the problem is probably to do with the system overheating so look to that first. the other possibilities can include a short, bios issue, or a circut problem in the box itself.

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Twitterbait

1. open the box and turn the pooter on. see if the fan on the power supply, processor, and video card is running. if any of these are not running smoothly then replace right away. turn the computer off and vacuum the box out, you may need to use some compressed air to blow the dust out of the heatsinks.

Good call on the dust, that is definately an issue. My bro-in-law was complaining his box was loud all of a sudden. Cracked her open and all plugged up with dust. Fan was running top speed trying to cool off. Blew it all out and all better. Definately something that should be done at least once a year.

[wharyat]

Right off hand I would say memory. My ram (4x DDR 512mb @ 450mhz) was overheating a while back and I had to mount a fan to blow over it; since all the slots were full, reducing the amount of air circualtion over each stick.


I was having the same problems you listed, in addition to hard-drive "errors" where scandisk would run (and find nothing wrong) before I could log on.

[BGJ223]

I am with Tashier on that one. It is kinda hard to diagnose. If it were a memory issue, odds are you would get memory errors. If it were a temp issue with the CPU, there is a chance that you were get a thermal evet error when you logged in. If I had to pick a problem, I would say that it was the Power supply or the hard drive.