Computer help forum: Tower shut down while momnitor and fan stay on

Heat would explain those symptoms. The temperature inside the case gets to be too high when you're using it heavily, and/or because 2-4PM tends to be among the warmest points of the day, causing the system to shut down to prevent causing any damage to the hardware, but leaves the fan running to suck some of the hot air out.

Just to test this theory, take the cover off of the unit and run it like that for an evening, see if the situation improves. If it does, you will need to figure out how to improve air flow in your computer. Otherwise, your problem is likely something else.

Also, one spyware scanner simply isn't enough. Even if you tack on Norton's craptastic one, it's still not enough. If you're going to use high risk programs (IE, Outlook, Outlook Express, MSN Instant Messenger/Windows Live Messenger, Windows Media Player, etc) then you need to have multiple spyware scanners. No single program will catch everything, so be sure to add to that AdAware, Spybot, AVG Anti-Spyware, and even Windows Defender if you like.

As At The Opera mentions, more than likely it is a heat issue. If you've had the machine a while, it may simply have dust build-up inside the tower. Open the tower and blow out the dust bunnies, etc. Most electronics/depatrment/office supply stores sell canned compressed air specifically for this purpose. If this doesn't do it you may need to install an additional cooling fan. I sometimes experience heat issues and have found that leaving the tower on it's side with the vents facing up helps a bit, so I just leave it like that. I also leave the cover unattached and slightly off-center too allow heat to escape a bit faster. And it's safe to just leave it on it's side. You can even create additional vents in the cover, but if it's still under warrenty I would forego this option. In fact, it is fine to leave the cover off for a while now and then. Just don't let the family pet climb inside.

The monitor staying on should be normal. I have never seen a PC monitor that didn't have a manual shut-off. But then, existing are many things I have never seen.

Charlie

Usually just small intermittent hangs, loss of graphic details and the like, minor stuff. Did have a guys laptop melt once but it kept running. He had removed the thermal grease.

Run this software to see for sure.

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Might be faulty RAM; test it here:

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Still not working? I'd suspect the power supply.

Any "beeps" when it starts?

Just ordered the fan good price, power supply next if this doesn't work.

http://forums.cnet.com/5238-7813-0.html?kw=over+heating&select=All+CNET+Forums&forumID=&threadID=&messageType=1&tag=srchbr

Minor problems are usually related to over heating serious system crashes can be often associated with power supply problems. Just a general rule but of course usually anything goes with computers. This time it might be both. We never did get those SpeedFan numbers.

Actually earlier. I don't remember if it was 2001 or 2002. CNET did a reformat or something and my profile was lost. I think many or all were lost. My screen name was Charlie but while re-registering I goofed up and used one of my other screen names and never bothered to fix it.

change your "novice" self description to maybe, "advanced"? Your choice. I'm not sure novice applies after 5 years+ helping on the forums.