Really Confused/Worried About My Computer: Help!

[rosesredrosered]

For the last two days, my computer has been randomly "going to sleep", then restarting. I ran two virus scans, excluded the only "low risk" bug detected, cleaned about 5 pounds of dust off of some weird holes in the side of my tower (yes, I know I'm not very techno-savvy). It's gotten a LITTLE bit better from yesterday. My computer restarted three times yesterday in the time period of two and a half hours. Today, it restarted twice, once in the morning, and at 10 PM. I turned it off in the middle of the day to see if that would help. I'm not sure if my computer is overheating or not.


All of you technology-savvy people, please help me. I have no idea what to do, and frankly, am getting a bit worried that I might have to call the Geek Squad.

Thanks,
Rose

 

[Coasterguy]

For the last two days, my computer has been randomly "going to sleep", then restarting. I ran two virus scans, excluded the only "low risk" bug detected, cleaned about 5 pounds of dust off of some weird holes in the side of my tower (yes, I know I'm not very techno-savvy). It's gotten a LITTLE bit better from yesterday. My computer restarted three times yesterday in the time period of two and a half hours. Today, it restarted twice, once in the morning, and at 10 PM. I turned it off in the middle of the day to see if that would help. I'm not sure if my computer is overheating or not.


All of you technology-savvy people, please help me. I have no idea what to do, and frankly, am getting a bit worried that I might have to call the Geek Squad.

Thanks,
Rose

It's might be overheating if there was that much dust. You should take off the side cover and clean the inside too. Be careful to not disconnect any of the wires/cables inside. You should have a radiator looking thing with a lot of fins and a fan. You want to make sure all that stuff is clean and the fan blades are rotating freely. Try gently spinning the fan and make sure it spins. Hope that helps.

 

[rosesredrosered]

Yep, I checked and there was some dust back there. I cleaned it out, the fans were spinning fine. I think it was merely an accumulation of dust, but I'm not sure. I'm going to keep my computer idle for a little while and see if things go okay. I left my computer off from 10 PM last night to about 3 PM today. Hopefully things will work out. And thanks for all your help, Coasterguy!

 

[lyzziesmom]

I used to have a computer that would do the same thing. Does the monitor make sort of a "click" noise when it turns on or off? Mine was the graphics card, it had gotten corrupted somehow. Took it out (it had been added after purchase) and poof! problem gone. Often if there is a problem with either hardware or software, the computer will shut down to protect itself from permanent damage rather than risk having a conflict and frying the computer.

Someone more tech-savvy might be able to recommend a diagnostic tool. I know there is something built in to computers that can check the hardware for you but I can't remember how to do it. Good luck!

 

[<3 Sunset <3]

hey rose,
dont worry about its okay bc that is happening to me right now.
i ran everything and cleaned out everything
and i saved all of my stuff to a disk and looks like i have to re-boot my computer.
and maybe u should do the same. i already got used to it
and my brother said that i need a new ram.
i really dont no what this mean but my brother is a computer freak hehe.
so im not really worried.
just do the same thing i did.
i hope this info help
sunset