Computer Switches Off

[Mootland Farmer]

Hey, for the last month I've had a problem with my computer turning off unexpectedly. I would be running my computer as usual, and after awhile it would just suddenly turn off. It wouldn't go through the normal shut down process, it would just turn off. I've noticed the more processes I have going, the sooner I can expect my computer to just turn off.

After that has happened, I turn on my computer. It starts up normally until I get to the windows loading stage, at which it fails to load and turns off again... I get a error message which I pretty much says windows fails to load my computer is a hunk of junk blah blah. Now I do use a pirated copy of Windows XP, but I do not believe that Windows is not the problem. And here's why,

I tried formatting my computer, but I could not even reach the format process due to my computer switching off. It's not a harddrive problem, no viruses or erros on it. So it could be due not enough ram, or either the power supply or the motherboard giving me grief. I'm not entirely sure on that. So I need your guys help please. I really suck at computers...

[Salubrious]

Turn off your computer. Open up your computer harddrive. Plug in your vacuum cleaner. Vacuum all the dust shit in there (and believe me when I say there will be dust shit in there). Make sure to vacuum the fan area extra well.

[Emaho]

Just watch out so you don't crack the processor core

[Money]

...and how would vacuumin it out crack the cpu core? unless you're talking about it over-heating cuz of the dust on the fan?..

[Pressure Drop]

i totally ram chairs and anything in my way when i vacuum
never vacuumed my pc but maybe i would be smashing it up too?

[Money]

yea but not with the hose

[D1st0rt]

make sure none of your capacitors look like this

[flibb]

Yea, could be overheating. Don't use a vacuum, though. Get a air duster can.

[WuTang420]

i always take my vaccum wand to the cpu fan when the comps off/unplugged.
it makes the fan spin very fast backwards and knocks like 95% of the dust shit off it and sucks those little cooling rib thingys out too. vacuum ftw. also do this to both sides of the power supply and around the hard drives. i do this mabye every other month.

edit: when they were ta;lking about cracking the cpu itself, just dont do this if its extremly hot. lket it sit off for 20 mins to cool off and youll be fine (assuming the rapid cooling is what people were worried about cracking it)

[PandoraX]

If you know what you're doing, you could clean your system like I do.
Just two ingredients:
Q-tips
Rubbing Alcohol.

[roxxkatt]

i always take my vaccum wand to the cpu fan when the comps off/unplugged.

you have WAY too much free time

[Money]

at foxconn we clean the boards with methanol

ez

[Ewan]

95% sure this will be due to overheating.

As others said, open up the case and either spray compressed air or if you have none, use a hoover.

For the future, make sure your computer has at least 6 inches space around it on all sides for ventilation and clean out the dust every few months or so.

[Maverick]

My father has had the problem with those some time ago. We both tryed fixing it and couldn't figure out what it was.
When we finally got it fixed we found out it was the power supply shutting down on its own for no reason, it was broken.
You might want to check your power supply aswell apart from overheating.

[Mootland Farmer]

Yeah, I gave the cpu a bit of a clean with the vacuum. Opened up the power supply and gave that a clean too. Cleaned the fans too. Computer seems to be working fine now. Thanks guys.