annoying ass computer problem, please help

[geekdiggy]

have an emachines T1840 computer (yes i'm ghetto) and since november i've been having a shitty ass time with my computer. whenever i'm playing a large game, watching a large/long video, or scanning for viruses/spyware, the computer would just shut off completely and abruptly, as if someone hit the switch or pulled the plug out.

someone told me it could be a power supply problem in my hard drive and if that's so, is it because i'm doing things that take up a lot of power? is it actually a power supply problem? if so is there anything i can do to make my computer knock this shit off?

i'm not sure if it's a virus because the autoprotect on my anti virus software hasn't notified me of any virus related problems. other than that i have no idea what could be causing this problem so if anybody has even a clue what might be going on or how to fix the problem or need more details please PM me or AIM me with whatever help possible

help please thanks

[zevolv]

Do you know what kind of video card your using? and what chip do you have Pentium? etc... Sometimes if you are running the Card too much or are pushing the Processor too hard too long the computer can shut down to keep it from over heating. New cooling fans (large ones) might help a little. try to run as little as you can when you are doing such tasks

[zevolv]

If your hard drive was beeing worked too hard the computer would either tell you or freeze but it wouldn't totally shut down. If it is a power supply problem you could try replacing it, they are pretty cheap but make sure it works with your computer so be sure to ask. And cooling fans are pretty cheap aswell so it wouldn't hurt

EDIT: after looking around to see if anything else might be wrong, I came across the possiblity that you may have corrupted Memory the RAM not the Hard Drive.

[geekdiggy]

and i would fix that how?

and this happens even when i don't hammer the comp for a long time. i could just turn on the computer, play a dvd rip and three minutes later it all shuts off

[zevolv]

If it's your RAM you can replace it, Usually runs about $30-50 depending on how much you need.
Try this app it can find anything wrong with your memory and Processor
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,24330,3590741,00.html
if it's your Video Card you'll have to buy a new one and if it's the processor you have to replace that as well and that can cost alot If that's the case it might be cheaper to replace the whole PC. Also check around on that website they can be very helpfull

[geekdiggy]

i just don't understand why it happens when it happens. i can understand if it does it when i'm playing a game, but if i'm not doing anything but running norton anti-virus, spybot or adaware, it shuts off. if i'm watching a movie, it shuts off. why oh why :cry:

[zevolv]

Well when you are running the Anti-virus/spyware programs the program will read the corrupted cluster of Memory and that would cause it to shut down

[Evo]

That use to happen to me too..
I use to open up window explorer and for few sec it turns off.. or restarts.. I killed me..

Do the following.. Update your window..
Check your RAM..
Mine was RAM problem..I changed it and the problem went away..

If all hope is lost.. take it to the same place you got it from and asked them to fix it.. :D That's the only last solution.

[Sachmo12345]

maybe its time for a new computer

[geekdiggy]

^^^thanks for your expert advice bill

Check your RAM..
Mine was RAM problem..I changed it and the problem went away

if i replace my RAM would i lose everything on my computer?

[Chaos in 1983!]

no you wouldn't...you just have to stick the new RAM in the slot...

[geekdiggy]

no you wouldn't...you just have to stick the new RAM in the slot...

stop making sexual inuendos in my thread dammit :x

[geekdiggy]

just kidding

how much does a new RAM cost? (wtf is RAM anyway?)

[tigerx]

RAM are memory for your computer. They're are like workspaces, the more the better. they're not very expensive these days so you shouldn't have a problem buying a 256mb stick.

[nthfinity]

hdd is to human memories as ram is to what your thinking about :)
ive also had problems lately of my puter shutting down. i downloaded, and installed new drivers, and the problem went away, hope this helps geekdiggy

[zevolv]

For good deals on anything computers including RAM go to www.pricewatch.com make sure you know what kind of RAM you can use and the maximum amount your mobo can read. RAM is random access memory when you run a program the files are taken from the Hard Drive and put on the RAM that's why the more the better and corrupt means lock up or freeze. RAM is deleted every time you shut off your computer or restart it. And what tigerx said the more isn't always the best if you get more than your computer can read then you wasted money and the computer wont access any of the Memory on the stick with the extra amount rendering the entire piece useless. AND please make sure you know what kind to get since there are different forms. PC2700 and PC133

[draak666]

how much does a new RAM cost? (wtf is RAM anyway?)
Dammit, geek... you really are a newbie to this, aren't you? :D

[yg60m]

A 256 mb DDR SDRam stick cost me 35 $.
I also had a lot of pb wednesday, i had to re-install everything. :(
geekdiggy, i saw you changed your location :wink:

[geekdiggy]

how much does a new RAM cost? (wtf is RAM anyway?)
Dammit, geek... you really are a newbie to this, aren't you? :D

you have no idea :oops:

[geekdiggy]

ive also had problems lately of my puter shutting down. i downloaded, and installed new drivers, and the problem went away, hope this helps geekdiggy

where can i download new drivers? i download a new one for windows media player like six months ago. do new drivers take up a lot of HD space?

[zevolv]

the drivers should overwrite the old ones so little space will be taken, just go to your manufacturers website so Emachines site and they will have them all there.

[DeMoN]

could be the powersuplly, the powersuply cable, or the Pentium chip getting hot due to the fan not working. Open your computer up and se if the fan works. If the chip gets too hot, it will shut off automatically so that it doesnt melt.

[i_hate_the_enzo]

check your processor, if its outdated, it could mess up, and the computer may shut off. download new virus protection/scanner. it cant be the ram, because if it is, the computer wont start at all, it will just make funny sounds. you may also want to check your breaker in your house, it may be getting overloaded. if it was a driver problem, you would have known from the start. if your harddrive doesnt have at least 10% if its space left, that could be a serious problem. it could also be a trojan horse (virus) that just shuts off your computer when you open a certain program. another thing you may want to check out, is it the entire computer, or just the monitor, because i helped a guy with the same problem. also check your power cable, it may have a short. if you want more help, i guess just give me a private message. you may get a virus that your virus protection cannot pick up when you download anything. hope i helped a little, if not, sorry.

[Riese1825]

EVERYONE SHOULD DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM CALLED AD-AWARE 6.0. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER DOWNLOADED. IT'S A MUST AFTER YOU HAVE KAZAA OR ANY PROGRAM LINKED WITH SPYWARE. THANK GOD FOR LAVA-SOFT AND THEIR FREE PROGRAM. AND DON'T WORRY, THIS PROGRAM IS NOT SOME CRAPPY WAY TO SCAM YOU OUT OF MONEY OR TONS OF STUFF TO FILL OUT. THIS PROGRAM LOOKS AS IF IT COULD BE $50 OR MORE. IT'S GREAT. DOWNLOAD IT THIS INSTENCE.

[Fleischmann]

Well, it's defiantely not because of the RAM. IMO it's the power supply or just your processor gettin' overheated. I think the 'safety value' for AMD is 70 degrees Celsius and for Pentium....hmmm...as far as I remember it's 60, I'm not certain though.

[enigmatic]

so whats the deal, diggy? has it all been fixed now or havn't you had any luck?
let us know!

[geekdiggy]

yup i figured it out a few weeks ago. it turned out to be a heating problem. basically every airway in and out of my comp has been plugged with dust, and still needs to be disassembled partially and blasted with air. i'm too lazy/scared to do that so all i did was clean the grille of my 4 foot floor fan and stand it up in front of my computer desk and face it to the hard drive and it blows good enough to keep the harddrive cool. haven't had a problem since :D

[geekdiggy]

EVERYONE SHOULD DOWNLOAD A PROGRAM CALLED AD-AWARE 6.0. THIS IS POSSIBLY THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER DOWNLOADED.

no need to recommend that since i think everyone already uses it, but if i could suggest something to you, get that caps lock button fixed :wink: