Question for the "computer geeks"

[Paul Neuhaus]

Let me appologize in advance for my lack of computer lingo and knowledge!

Lately, my computer has been shutting down by itself. I'll be online, typing an email, etc, and the dang thing will just go "lights out" on me. I have to disconnect the power source (turn off the power strip) then unplug the little black box with the flashy lights (don't know what it's called) plug it back in, turn the power strip back on, and then I can start my computer back up. I'm trying to type fast so I can finish before it shuts down again.

I guess I need to know what this could be and how to fix it before going to a computer repair shop. You know, women are usually taken advantage of at auto repair shops and charged for things they shouldn't have to pay for. I'm afraid to walk into a computer repair shop and have these computer geeks who used to get pushed around by the jocks look at me and take their aggressions out on my check book! HAHA

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Billy Wolt]

sounds odd...

try searching on google for your problem..

power supply, virus,...those are my two guesses.

[Joshua Davis]

If you have to unplug/replug your PC before it will come back on, I am betting on power supply. If it's not the power supply, it's your UPS (the black box with the flashy light thingie). Disconnect the UPS and plug your PC directly into the power strip and see if it continues to happen, if it does, then you probably want someone to replace your power supply.

Is your computer a shop-built/home-built PC or an OEM (Dell, Compaq, HP, etc) computer?

[Chris Mathison]

Sounds like a heat issue... Have a tech check your fans and what not. There is a built in cut off limit that the pc will shut itself down if it gets too hot.. Get into your Bios by hitting Delete or something when the PC starts up(It should say hit del to enter setup or something similiar) once in bios look for the menu item that says "PC Health Status" or something similiar.. and get in there and watch the core cpu temp. Just leave the pc on and watch the temp. If it goes up and up until it eventually shuts off then its a heat issue. CPU fan going bad more than likely.. easy replace if you know what your doing.. thats my guess. Wish I could help you in person.. I deal with this crap alot. And dont hurry up and try to get something done before it shuts down again. You are only gonna eventually damage your cpu beyond repair..

[Chris Mathison]

Ok so you have an emachine with pheonix bios and there is no hardware monitor tab in the bios. Thats not good but try this program http://www.almico.com/speedfan432.exe (Go to downloads section and click speedfan word in blue) just run that and install it.. it will put an icon on your desktop. run it and see if it comes up with temeratures. If it doesnt then you dont have a hardware monitor chip on your mainboard and your are in trouble.. And the only option left is to get one of those laser temperature gun things and point it right at your cpu inside the box... Emachines are great inexpensive computers for everyday use but you can run into something like this easily.. Could be inexpensive fans or cheap thermal grease that has ran its course and is not transferring heat from cpu to heatsink.. There is some sort of cooling going on because you can run the computer for a while but its not until you start taxing the cpu and making it work therefore generating more heat until it eventually shuts down.. anyways see if that program comes up with some temp's and gimme a call if you have a question.

[Paul Neuhaus]

Thanks guys. I'll try the link later on this evening and get back to you.