Computer Shutting Down Randomly ?

[SteveSquared]

Hi all.

So a few weeks ago, I looked at a friends computer as he wanted help because it wouldn't boot up to windows. After some thorough cleaning (through 5 years of dust lol) and plugging the sata cable back in, I got it to load up windows. And I fixed his CPU cooler as it had actually fallen off as the bracket had broke.

However, I then ran into another problem, within 5 - 10 minutes of the computer being on, it would randomly shut down with no error messages at all as if I had pressed the power button.

My intial thoughts to this are to replace the thermal paste as it was on its last legs when I fixed the CPU cooler. Then if that doesn't work I was going to suggest buying a new CPU cooler (thinking that it may just be shutting down due to high temperatures).

Just wanted to get other peoples opinions before I go and tell him to buy a new CPU cooler when he doesn't need to.

Sorry I don't have a specs list by the way, could anyone provide a list of trouble shooting options for me to work through with him ?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help/replies.

P.S. He is running Windows 8.1 if thats any help at all.

 

[Caleb Campbell]

Well, considering that the only changes you made were cleaning out dust and reseating the cpu cooler, then it is most likely overheating from bad thermal paste. Try slapping some new paste on and see.

 

[smorizio]

if your close to his home boot the pc into the bios and watch the cpu temps there if they start going over 50c then he need a cpu. if the temps are fine in the bios and the pc shuts down then he may have a power issue.