I have a generic PC that is shutting itself off every so often. It might tur off after 10 minutes or wait a day or so until it does it again. When it turns itself off you can not turn it on again until you wait 5-8 minutes. It seems that something is overheating ?? Could it be the power supply, motherboard, or the chip itself?? It is a Pent III - 550 mhz. This chip is on a plug in board that plugs into the motherboard. Is there some sort of internal circuit breaker that might be going bad ?? Since it comes on after 5-8 minutes and doesn't stay off it can't be taken to a shop as it is working again. Any ideas ?? Thank you, David

Check your cpu for viruses first, then it could be a host of other problems, if it is not a viruse , the a call to the shop would be the next option.

------------------
Sledgehammer will save the day!

Definately take it in and have the power supply checked; this sounds like a failing power supply issue. If possible contact your vendor and if it's under warrenty, get them to replace it.

------------------
iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

Also check your CPU FAN and air flow in the case. PIII's have clock throttling which is there to protect the CPU from fring it self. They will shut them selves down until they cool off. There's a good article at www.tomshardware.com (http://www.tomshardware.com) about this issue.

Originally posted by iisbob:
Definately take it in and have the power supply checked; this sounds like a failing power supply issue. If possible contact your vendor and if it's under warrenty, get them to replace it.


This was the power supply. -- Thank you, David

iisbob
You is also smart!
I gotta sister that’s looking for a man. You got all yer own teeth and such?
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif