Random shutting down

[okgo]

Bought a pc a few months back to game on

Of late it has started randomly restarting, at first it was happening when playing battlefield bad company 2, so I suspected overheating, but its started doing it even when on the desktop..

I know it could be a million things, but is there anything that I should be looking at first?

[odyssey2200]

is it a Dell lap top?

[10 Pence Short]

If the heat sink is clogged or the fan not working properly, it could easily be getting hot enough to shut down even at idle. The fact it seems to be getting worse points to this, rather than a software issue.

If it's a desktop, take the case off and check everything. Clean out if necessary. If it's a laptop, proceed with caution- there might be a service manual available on the manufacturer's website showing you how to access the CPU etc.

[Silverbullet767]

I'd try and re-apply the thermal compound on the processor.

[odyssey2200]

My kids Lap top used to do the same.

10 mins to take the bottom cover off, take the heat sync out and remove all the fluff and gunge.

Been good as gold ever since.

[towser]

Random shutdowns I've had like this in the past have usually been down to a dodgy PSU.

[Furyous]

Silverbullet767 said:

I'd try and re-apply the thermal compound on the processor.

Seconded.

Mine used to do this and I found the heat sink wasnt making full contact with the processor untill I replaced the thermal paste.

[E36Rob]

Another mabie,

Did you buy the PC new? Reason i ask is because if the pc has a beta or RC Version of windows 7 on it is coming to the end of its life and Microsoft built in a shutdown tool that will randomly shut down every known again.

[okgo]

E36Rob said:

Another mabie,

Did you buy the PC new? Reason i ask is because if the pc has a beta or RC Version of windows 7 on it is coming to the end of its life and Microsoft built in a shutdown tool that will randomly shut down every known again.

Bingo

It has a beta windows 7 copy that keeps saying it has 0 hours use left, but allows you to carry on using the pc.

I bought it from a chap on ebay, he said it was fine. But you are probably bang on the money here...