Computer shuts down abruptly! Help!

[Asama]

Ok here is my problem. Everytime I start to use programs that use a lot of my comp's ram (I have 96 mb),such as lsx mpeg encoder, after a few minutes of running the program my computer will just shut down. I just had to reinstall my operating system (windows 9, but I've never had this problem before. Does anyone know what could be going wrong?

[VCDsMakeMoney]

I have this problem now.But really I dont know the cause.For example,if I try to use a special character such as Registered trademark character (Alt + 0174) my computer will just turn off. If I press 3 or more keys together,OFF.Im guessing that's it's just the stupid OS and that a good reinstall (format and such) should do the trick.And as always,backup your stuff before the inevetable happens!

[brynuk]

I had a similar problem to this found it to be one of the ram sticks try taking them out and running it with less ram to determine the faulty beggar

hope this helps!

[valzuniga]

i hear that this is usually a problem with the power supply.

[d4n13l]

VCDsmakemoney,
Check your BIOS settings for a "soft power down" (or similar) option. This could be the cause.
Does it power down properly, Ie. you get a proper Win98 shutdown process - Or does it just die?

Asama,
Those programs also use a lot of CPU power, what temp is your CPU running at? It could be that either your PSU is failing or your CPU is getting too hot when under strain.

[Asama]

The computer shuts down normally. I mean the shut down screen appears, but this is just out of the blue. As for the temperature I don't know what it is running at, how can I check? Also how can I check my BIOS settings? (sorry kind of a newbie) thx, for the help.

[d4n13l]

Asama,
I recommend that you pay a visit to the Windoze website, you can search common problems such as this and they can give you a number of causes. This sounds like a Windoze problem, I have heard it before but I forgot the reasons why.

[pinoy2201]

yes i recomend you use d4n13l idea go to your OS Company and ask them if there is a problem with the shutdown sudenlly happening with you wanting it

[tigerwolf]

first do you have all the patches, updates, and etc from microsloft, I mean microsoft.

If you haven't had a problem like this before, and you haven't adjusted any settings. You said you reinstalled windows 98 correct? did you wipe the drive first, aka format?

the two most likely causes is a faulty memory chip, you can have them tested, or just like someone else mentioned take a couple out and try and figure out which one is bad by swapping around the chips. The other likely problem is a bad spot on the hard disk, and when virtual memory hits that spot windows crashes. Then you have the possibility of the apm settings messing with you, I'd just shut off all the power options, such as powering down after so long etc, especially if you have an older motherboard, they are quite odd when it comes to the power management settings so its best just to shut them off. I might go over your bios settings just to confirm everything is okay there. Also I'd manually set your virtual memory, I'd set both the minimum and maximum to around 250mb. To get into the bios settings you have to normally press either f1 or del at startup when you bios info or memory check appears. Given you are a newbie don't mess to much with the bios, until you read a little bit about what the settings stand for and etc. Don't want to make things worse.

The processor getting to hot is a possibility, what type processor do you have?

also hold old is your system? what type of motherboard are you using? have you gotten any bios updates for it. If you are using a brand name computer such as dell or compaq you can go to their sites and under support find the updates you might need.

[tigerwolf]

should be "how old is your system?" not hold. LOL. give some specs on your computer, processor, type of memory, etc.

[Sir Kopelot]

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On 2001-11-26 14:58:20, tigerwolf wrote:
should be "how old is your system?" not hold. LOL. give some specs on your computer, processor, type of memory, etc.



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OR take it to http://www.pcpitstop.com

just for fun if nothing else....

[Greg12]

Probally a power cable is loose.

[RaleighNC]

Maybe it's Micro$oft testing their trojan for ppl who click "No" on the license aggreement.

U got a wierd one. I would have said temperature, but U said U get a shutdown screen. Maybe U installed or the recovery CD has a TSR that auto shuts the PC, so maybe temperature.

[Macros746]

I would open up the computer and fire it up with the case off...my computer did this when the fan on my Thunderbird died....thank god I caught it in time...

Macros

[zzyzzx]

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On 2001-12-13 13:58:51, Macros746 wrote:
I would open up the computer and fire it up with the case off...my computer did this when the fan on my Thunderbird died....thank god I caught it in time...

Macros
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I was going to recommend this option as well. I had a problem when I installed some new memory once - very similiar to your problem. It worked fine with the cover off but shut down when I put the cover on. I installed a case fan (case previosuly had none) and the problem went away.