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intermitent,unexpected shutdown

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dunnjt

Technical User
Nov 20, 2001
64
US
A friend has 3 year old Packard Bell running win98. She admits her Antiviral software has not been kept up to date. The machine runs well except that it will, without any warning, shut down. If power is turned off at the power strip, the computer will "come back" on noticeably sooner than if the strip is left on and the machine is just allowed to "rest" and then turned on. I have run AV software and have discovered 3 instances of the Hybris@m virus. However, when I try to clean the infection or try to update the AV software, the machine also shuts down. Can anyone suggest what might be the problem and offer a solution? Does this sound like a known virus working on this machine? I have not yet been able to get the machine to scan the entire C drive without shutting down first. Would it help to simply reinstall windows and repair the infected window files with new,original copies. Any help would be appreciated. Thank You - JD
 
Hello, Thanks for responding. I am not a hardware expert but l know a little bit. The back of the computer is hot to the touch, not warm but hot. Is it possible that the fan has failed and the components are overheating, rather than the components themselves failing? Can a power supply be installed by most folks themselves? Do you have any notion about the price of a power supply? Anything I should especially beware of during installling a power supply?
Thanks for any help or suggestions. - Have a great Sunday! - JD
 
I'm not a hardware expert either but yeah that's possible if it's hot. See if you can feel any airflow over the vent. If not then i'd say the fan died and the overheating might be the problem so replace the power supply.

You'd have to call a repair shop and ask them about prices. I've never had to replace one yet but they're not very expensive if you do it yourself. If you do it yourself obviously make sure the pc is unplugged and that you're grounded before touching anything inside the case. A static charge can do permanent damage to your internals. You can ground yourself by touching the metal frame every now and then. If you're nervous about it have a shop do it. Have a look here:

 
Kento:
Thank you very much, for the site about installing the power supply. It looks like this is what needs to be done to get this computer back up and running.
I never was aware that the fan was actually part of the power supply unit.The learning continues...
Have a great Sunday - Many thanks for your precise, to the point help.
JD
 
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