[Sandra]

Hello,
Still a pc dummy, always will be
recently i've had some computer 'crashes' just after i had switched on, and connected to the internet. Since i cannot switch out my comp with the front button i just turn out the socket and start again.
No big deal or should i start to worry?
Whats the reason for this in the 1st place?

[kanoakavirus]

Disconnect your modem and try again, and why cant you use the front button? if it works hold it for 8 seconds+ it has no choice but to shutdown then.

[Dave Hybrid]

What exacly does it do? Crashes could mean anything to us...

[Carbon]

What do you mean by 'crashes'? There are a lot of different types of crashes.

I would first reinstall the modem drivers.

edit: Dave beat me by about 15 seconds to that first point :p

[Sandra]

"if it works hold it for 8 seconds"
Next time I'll try that...

"crashes" means once the Google window popped open and i'm about to write sth into the search box there suddenly is no reaction, i cant type anything i cant close the window or clic on the start button.
It happened 3 or 4 times in the last 7ish days, so i just wondered...

[Dave Hybrid]

Check you CPU fan, might be overheating...

Even a little dust makes a big difference.

[Sandra]

Thanks guys for your reactions

[kanoakavirus]

Also you might want to give EvilFantasy a pm for some advise on the general health of your computer, I've heard of viruses that can cause similar effects to what you've explained.

[slipend]

Definitely check for signs of overheating.

Open the side of you computer case. Ground yourself before you go touching stuff mind you.
Take the fan/heatsink of the processor. There should be some grey toothpase like material over the metal object at the bottom (the proccessor). That grey toothpase like stuff is thermal compound. It conducts the heat out of the processor to the heatsink (big aluminium thing) and dispenses the heat via the fan.

Your problem arises if there is little or no thermal compound on the processor. If not, buy some and put it on! :)

Also, give the heatink and good ol' Dust Bust. :)