Member Avatar for agarwalp

My PC having the following configration....
Pentium 4 CPU 2.80 GHz
256 RAM
hard disk - western digital (80 Gb)
recently replaced my hard disk (on 7/08/08) because the vendor said there was problem with the controller as it took a long time to strat up and even my pc was refusing to start many times.
but the problem ie the shuttingdown of my pc is as it is...
My PC would frequntly shutdown if more than 2 or 3 windows wre opened at a time, or if I play games like IGI...
should i increase the RAM?
Or there is problem with the fan?
Or any thing else is troubling....?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

Generated

The thread already covered the usual suspects: RAM (), Event Viewer (), safe-mode/virus checks (), and PSU concerns (). Below is a short, practical diagnostic plan that extends those suggestions and focuses on tests that actually differentiate power/thermal faults from software or storage problems.

  1. Check Windows event logs for unexpected-power entries (look for Kernel‑Power/Event ID 41) and note exact timestamps.
  2. Monitor temperatures and voltages while reproducing the problem (use a real-time tool such as HWiNFO: https://www.hwinfo.com/). Sudden drops or thermal spikes during load point at overheating or thermal protection.
  3. Run a full-memory boot test with Memtest86 (bootable USB and let multiple passes complete): https://www.memtest86.com/. Also reseat sticks and test one module at a time.
  4. Isolate the power system: try a known-good PSU or use a PSU tester/multimeter. A unit that won’t restart until mains are removed often indicates PSU latch/thermal protection or an internal fault. Inspect motherboard capacitors for bulging or leakage.
  5. Minimal-hardware boot: remove non-essential drives/cards and boot with one RAM stick and onboard video (if available). If stable, add components back one at a time to find the culprit.
  6. Boot Safe Mode and run updated offline scanners (Malwarebytes or Microsoft Safety Scanner) if software-level causes still can’t be ruled out.

Quick physical checks: clean dust from heatsinks/fans, ensure the CPU cooler is properly seated and the CPU power connector is firmly attached, and avoid running stress tests with a suspected bad PSU. Always disconnect mains before touching PSU internals or swapping power units.

Collectable diagnostics that clarify root cause: exact event IDs/timestamps, peak CPU/GPU temps under load, Memtest86 pass/fail results, and PSU label voltages. These narrow the fault quickly and point to either a replacement PSU/heatsink or a deeper motherboard issue.

Recommended Answers

All 13 Replies

Member Avatar for Oscar G. Gidei

hi, i think that is a problem with the RAM. becouse as you said that when you open 2 to 3 windows it shuts down, too small memory nomally makes the machine behave that way. however similar charateristic should be even with slow boot process, slow in loading an application programe or frequent hunging of the machine.

Try increasing the memory of your PC or Unistall programs that you are not using them frequently. Also make sure that drive C: does not contain unuseful data. save any other information apart from programe files in other partitions or drive.

Member Avatar for agarwalp

I have changed my RAM to 512mb with freq 400hz still i am facing the same problem specially if i start with the games,reading CD.My computer shuts down abruptly.

The m/c is completely shutdown and computer does not start again unless I put off the power from mains and wait for a few mins

please help to sort out this problem...

Member Avatar for sittas87

thats so not true according to my experience. what does event viewer say when start indows again. it should give you a lead.

Member Avatar for Oscar G. Gidei

your computer then may be affected by a virus. try scanning it with an updated Antivirus to see if the problem can be solved

Member Avatar for jermaghs07

does it give you any error messages when shutting down or when booting back up? try starting it up in safe mode(press F8 while booting) then open a few windows. if it doesn't shut down then you have a virus

Member Avatar for Amehabchi

How old is the hard drive?It could be a hard drive failure.

Member Avatar for Amehabchi

Is the processor dual core?

Member Avatar for jermaghs07

Is the processor dual core?

People need to read the ENTIRE post before replying..
He said in his original post that it was a Pentium 4(single core)
and that he replaced the HDD on 7/08/08 so the HDD is only a few months old, and that wouldn't matter anyway because he had the problem prior to replacing the hard drive.

Member Avatar for caperjack

orginal post may be long gone ,im thinking it couls be the power supply ,sometime known as a psu or a sps

Member Avatar for sittas87

orginal post may be long gone ,im thinking it couls be the power supply ,sometime known as a psu or a sps

I like the way how you posted you're post this time around.hehe
I just call it a PSU
[If you're know what Im refering to]

Member Avatar for caperjack

. and in trying so hard to be politically correct i miss spelled couls!=could, LOL

commented: LOL +3
Member Avatar for sittas87

. and in trying so hard to be politically correct i miss spelled couls!=could, LOL

LOL:D

Member Avatar for caperjack

LOL:D

and yes, i did know what you were referring to !

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