Computer suddenly unstable

[lys]

My friend's computer recently goes dark for a split second. Programs running will be shutdown, or the computer it self will turn off sometimes.
I wasn't sure what may be the problem, since if its a hardware problem I think it usually affect the entire system and not only running programs. If it was a lack of memory space, it usually warn us before, and with the virtual memory its hard to think that he runs out of memory in the first place.
Any thoughts?

 

[bluejayek]

Can you have your friend run RealTemp and GPUZ to check the relevent temperatures?
http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

Also check task manager to see if the memory reall is hitting a limit.

Further, run an anti-virus scan with whatever he has installed, as well as Malware Bytes (Free)
https://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

[RaDiKaL_]

Could be an overheating issue like bluejayek points out, but it could also be a failing PSU, monitor temps like he said so we can find out which situation your friend is having.

 

[bluejayek]

For checking the PSU health you might try downloading HWMonitor to check the voltage of the 12V and 5V rails.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
If they are 10% or more off the PSU is probably failing.

These voltages can also be checked in bios, and I would trust the BIOS numbers more then the HWMonitor.

 

[bluejayek]

Sorry.. Bad double posts today.

 

[lys]

assuming the tempurature is causing this, will that shutdown only programs and not the entire system?

 

[bluejayek]

It probably would just throttle the speed of the GPU and CPU to avoid increasing temperature too high.

Checking the temperatures is super easy though and once you've done that it's ruled out.