Windows XP forum: My computer just shuts off by itself

Start here, be parasite free first.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6132-0.html?forumID=32&threadID=1313&start=0

XP is set to reboot on errors, shut this off and see if you can find out what is doing it.

Right click MyComputer -> Properties -> Advanced -> startup and Recovery -> Settings -> Find where it says "Automatically Restart" and uncheck it and select OK.

Now when it crashes, it will give you the blue screen with errors to search for.

If the computer remain on, sounds like a video problem. Could be monitor or video card related.

I have had this situation two seperate times in the past. The first turned out to be a power supply gone bad. The Second time the power supply overheated and shut down due to dust filled ventilation slots in the power supply. Clean them with compressed air and see if that solves the problem.

I had purchased a new Dell 8500 and after about two mo,it started shuting off by itself. It took Dell about a month to find out what the problme was. So after many test and trials and techs. they figured out it was my processor going bad. Dell came to my house and replace just about everything in my computer except the HD. No more radom shut downs. Hope this help.

Barb