Okay, so I've been a little mean to people lately, all in the name of fun though. Well, now I've got major computer trouble and was wondering if any of you could help me figure out what's wrong. Hopefully before I lose this, I can type out my problem. Every time I get online here at home, I will be on for about half an hour to an hour or so, then all of a sudden the moniter goes black on me and the computer immediately restarts. What is up with this? It's really pissing me off because I just was typing an email that was already about a page long and lost it all! Can anybody help me solve this problem?! Thanks.

Sounds like you've got power supply problems - this happens to me when I'm stupid enough to run my computer during a storm and the power flickers. If your lights aren't flickering and this is happening, likely it is your surge protector - it has gotten old and weak and is flipping off breifly - these are supposed to be replaced regularly - maybe get a new one and see if that helps.

This may seem a little obvious, but check your power cable. If it's in securely on both ends (computer and wall) the internal fan may not be cooling the power supply adequately.

Without knowing more I would say power suply also What kind of computer is it?If it is an out of the box it very well might have a diagnostics mode that could help?

Sounds to me like a heat problem. Mine started doing this at one time on my old computer. Opened the case up and for some reason (can't remember why) the fan on the CPU had quit.

I would concur about the power supply. Go sniffing around the computer case...smell anything burning? Seriously, that could be a hint.

Power supplies can go between $15 and $40 depending on power needs, but you also have to measure the original to make sure it's not some pain in the ass small size that's hard to replace.

I had the same problem awhile ago and as funny as it may seem, it was a ten dollar fan that caused the problem.

I would check the internal temp or try running the machine with the case open/off and try to recreate the situation.

Good Luck!

Thanks alot guys. I'm pretty dumb when it comes to computers, so I don't dare open it up and look inside to see if the fan's off, etc. I'll try to listen around the tower though and check my surge/power cable. No storms around here lately. The computer's actually sounding a little quieter than usual, so maybe the fan's the problem. But, it's a brand new (well, not quite, it's a year 2000) Gateway, my OS is Windows 98, it has an Intel 500 MHz Pentium III Processor, and Norton Anti-Virus. I don't even know if I said all that right. BTW, how can a person find out the temperature of their computer? Didn't know that was possible?

Kb do you have air blowing out the top of the case in the back?If you do then the fan on your power supply works.If it does not have air blowing out then I would bring it to a shop and they will replace the power supply.There should be just two screws holding the left side of the case on.These screws are on the back of the case on the left side.Remove those and slide the case side to the rear of the case this should expose the inside of the computer.somewhere in the middle or more towards the top should be another fan spinning If it is not spinning turn it off and get it replaced.If it is spinning I would bring it to a shop and pay to have it diagnosed.Once you get the left side off it will be obvios what I am talking about.You cant hurt anything by removing the side of the case and looking in!

Thanks ltlCLEO, I just checked and there's air coming out, but not as much as usual I don't think? One thing I just thought of though--we do have a longhaired cat that sheds alot. Maybe his hair is getting inside the computer and slowing the fan down? I suppose I could take the 'case' off, but not right now. Maybe tomorrow, I'm tired right now...BTW, there's two fans in a computer?

Sounds like possibly your cpu is overheating and shutting down your system, make sure all your fans are working properly. If cat hair is problem go by a can of compressed air and blow out the inside of the computer and be sure not to turn the can upside down when your spraying or else it will drip out and possible damage your system board. Also in your bios setup it will tell you what your cpu temp is, cant recall off top my head of what title its under.

The CPU fan is probly the problem. The fan blowing air out the back is a seperate fan.

I've seen more than one CPU get cooked due to no air on it.

I've got an AMD 1Ghz and the life of it without fan and heatsink is something like less than a second.

You aren't going to hurt anything by opening the case up and looking at it. You'll be surprised how much cat hair and dust will need cleaned out of there. You can also get those cans of compressed air to blow out the heatsinks and stuff too.

Just remember heat is what kills electronic components!!!

check your email

Just buy a new computer and send that one to me for the consultation fee.

Blow out the cat with compressed air and your troubles are over.

Take the cover off the CPU and vacuum that sucker out.
1. Turn off the power.
2. Unscrew case screws.
3. Touch the power supply to take static electricity off you.
4. vacuum.
5. Turn on again with case off - check fan. Fans are $20.
6. Leave the case off and make a convertible to give it more cooling till You get a fan.

Tom

The two upper-end P3 Gateway systems that I've worked on in the past do not have fans on the CPU heatsink, which amazed the heck out of me. They had plastic shrouds coming off of the power supply in an attempt to suck the air off of the CPU. Without a CPU fan it tends to make them more sensitive to heat, so on both I just bought a $10 heat sink and fan combo and strapped it on, with good results.

So yeah, heat could be a problem too.