computer problem

[clarelouise]

Hello there,
I hope you can help.
My parents are having trouble with their tower.

They turn on the tower and then the monitor.
Then 10 seconds later the tower shuts down as if there is no power.The monitor comes on but as I said the power to the tower shuts down after a few seconds.
What could be the problem.
I have tried jiggling the power lead behind the tower and it doesn't do anything.
Any info would be much appreciated.
Clare.

[Dr Red]

Does it display a blue screen at all, even just a glimmer of one when you switch it on?

[janny438]

The most likely cause is a faulty power supply.
Does the monitor display any information on a black screen with white text ie system information memory checking ?

There is a possibility that it is a virus related problem but the power supply would be the first thing to check...

[Dr Red]

Or you have some files needed for your computer to boot up missing or damaged.

[clarelouise]

Hi there,
Thanks for your replies.
When I turned on the tower and the monitor, the monitor was displaying no data input or something to that effect,basically as though the tower wasn't switched on.
Meanwhile the tower was sounding like it was going through the motions and then I think I saw a flicker of the black background with white writing and then the tower shut down,whilst monitor still on showing no data input again.
Rather confusing.
They had a similar type of problem where they wasn't getting any power to the tower at all and it was the fuse in the plug.
So far worked okay,until today.
But obviously now it isn't the fuse as there is some power getting there but for a limited amount of time.
What do you think this may be?
Much appreciated for your help.
Clare

[Dr Red]

Might be this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSoD
Not sure though.

[jake-the-peg]

One other possibility is overheating due to a failed CPU fan.

Machine starts up overheats and shuts down.

Start the machine up with the side off and check that the CPU fan is going around.

[cleggie]

try booting in safe mode press F8 at start up of pc and if it boots in safe mode it may be a driver problem

just something else to try first

[rojash]

As janny438 says, the most likely cause is a faulty power supply, especially as they have already had to replace the fuse (fuses don't usually blow for no reason).

[ACtheTROLL]

It's almost certainly overheating - I see on average 8-10 of these each week - however clean your house ... a pc just attracts fluff ... and stores it in the heatsink

If you leave the box off for 5 mins ... does it startup ... then die again?

If it does ......
assuming we are talking about a reasonably modern PC ....

Open the box
Somewhere near the middle will be a
big lump of metal with a fan in top.
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?arti cleID=902

What you need is a natural bristle brush
(one of the big fluffy blusher brushes is ideal)

GENTLY start to clean the fan ... getting right down into the fins of the heat-sink

Be careful ... if you rock the mounting you'll break the thermal contact and just make things worse

DO NOT use a vacuum. If you can't dislodge the fluff ... it's down to PC world to get a can of duster (yes really) It's compressed air and will safely blow away the muck

Certainly don't waste money on power units untill you do this.

[boobesque]

i always use a vacuum. never done my pc any harm

[janny438]

The chances of this being a overheating issue are very remote as user states that pc only stays on briefly, this would not be enough time for the cpu to reach the shutdown threshhold.
However another thought that a number of people have pointed out is does the cpu fan spin up directly the power is applied ?
If it doesn`t then the fan could well be the issue. Most modern pc bios settings will imediately shut the pc down if a duff cpu fan is detected.

[clarelouise]

Hi there,
First of all I would just like to say a very big thank you to all of you who have replied.
We will certainly look at each and every one of your suggestions this weekend.
I looked into the reply regarding the link to blue screen of death.
It isn't that but many thanks to your suggestion.
Once again many many thanks you are most helpful.
Clare

[clarelouise]

Hello there,
First of all I would just like to say many many thanks to all of your replies.
We will look into every one of your suggestions this weekend.
I looked at the link that was regarding the blue screen of death.
It doesn't seem to be that but thanks anyway.
Once again many thanks you've been most helpful.
Will let you know how it goes.
Clare

[clarelouise]

Sorry for double reply.Didn't think first one had been sent.
Clare.
Not going mad honestly!

[ACtheTROLL]

Boob

it depends on the type of vac

the small dustbuster type is generally OK
the full size models with enough power to hold a bowling ball produce so much static due to the speed of the air flowing down a plastic pipe that there is a good chance....

the "real" pc vacs have copper mesh running down the pipe ....
maybe it's just a gimic that AMD and Intel both latched onto

but If you are happy ... that's fine

[zig_zag]

could be the internal cpu fan
they get blocked with dust and overheat the circuitry
may need a very careful clean
a blast with gas is the best way if this is the problem

[musicmummy]

I had a very similar problem a few years back, the engineer came out and said that my particular make of computer was prone to that as the design on the power button was bad, he opened it up and used a stanley blade to modify it(i do not reccomend you do this) and it worked fine after that. may i ask what type yours is?

[clarelouise]

Hello to all,
Sorry I haven't got back to you until now.
Been rather busy.
It turned out to be the power supply unit.
Replaced it and works fine now.
Just thought I would let you know.
Many thanks to all of you who replied.
It is much appreciated.
clarelouise.