Intermittent Power

**bhelm** · #1 12th Jan 2008, 13:36

I have a Dell Dimension 2350, running Windows XP. When I turn the computer on it will start to boot into Windows and then the computer turns itself off. When I try to restart it it will stay on long enough to start to boot, at various times it goes as far as
the desktop and then suddenly turns off. Any ideas on what is causing this. I tried to boot with the orignal windows CD but it dosen't stay on long enough to fully boot.

**Carbon** · #2 13th Jan 2008, 02:14

Unlikely to be the PSU, but probably hardware related. Did you open up the case recently? Any jostling or vibrations either when it shuts down or during normal operation?

**bhelm** · #3 13th Jan 2008, 08:20

I have the side open and can not detect any vibration. All of the ribbons are secure and I can not detect any loose wires. Several times yesterday and this morning it booted
all the way to the desk top before shutting down. Several times I tried to boot from the Window XP CD and it shut down at various stages. Before it went down I was running
Norton Anti virus and it was kept up to date. Any help would be appreciated.

**Carbon** · #4 13th Jan 2008, 17:21

Well then I'm stumped. No recent hardware changes? Overclocking?

**bhelm** · #5 14th Jan 2008, 07:34

Nothing out of the ordinary. It was running fine and then when I started it one morning
it started turning off. Thanks for the help.

**philthomas** · #6 14th Jan 2008, 09:28

Can you get into bios and remain there, without it shutting down ?

Also can we just claify .... is it shutting down or rebooting ?

**bhelm** · #7 14th Jan 2008, 13:25

Its actually shutting down. The time it stays on varies. I have actually been able to
get to my desk top before it shuts down. How do I get to the bias?

**philthomas** · #8 14th Jan 2008, 14:36

Look for a message at boot up .... something like Press F2 to enter Set Up.

If no message try tapping the common ones like DEL or F2 or F10 .... it will depend on what bios you have.

**bhelm** · #9 14th Jan 2008, 14:48

F2 gets me into setup. I was able to keep it running for four or five minutes.
When I went to exit it asked me if I wanted to save changes o CMOS. Am I
in the correct place? If so what do you want me to do?

**philthomas** · #10 15th Jan 2008, 03:44

Yep ... you're in the right place.

At this stage dont change anything, whilst in bios ..... we are just trying to establish whether you can remain in bios, without the system shutting down and for how long.
Did the system shut down, whilst in bios or did you exit yourself ? .... if it doesn't shut down .... have a look around the menus and see if you can find a Temperature Monitor ..... if so post back with your temps.