Why does my computer just shut off by itself?

Question

Our computer just shuts off whenever it feels like it. When we are in the middle of emailing a message to someone, or printing out a document, or even looking up information, it just shuts of whenever it feels like it. It doesn't matter if the internet is on or not. It could be on for 5 minutes or 5 hours, it doesn't matter. My husband thinks its the power supply but I wonder if it could be another reason. I think my husband puts way to many programs on and it is over loaded, but I'm not sure if that would cause it to shut down by itself. We checked for viruses and non seem to be found. Anyone else ever run into that problem before. We are taking it in to be repaired, but I thought I would ask first. Thanks for your help.

Answer 1

I've had this problem before a few times (I'm a computer tech)

and its almost always one of 2 things

A fan somewhere in the computer is non functional causing an overheat (can even be on video card)

OR

Your husband is right and its the power supply

Don't take it to get repaired, both of these are fairly simple to repair on your own, a new power supply only runs about 40-60 dollars for a decent one, a new fan 8-19 dollars.   Repair shop will charge you 100-200 to do it for you and it only takes a few minutes to fix.

Answer 2

Might not be a virus, your computer just may be overheating. Try leaving the case open (and make sure the fan is working fine) and see if that makes a difference.

Hope that helps.