PC shuts down after few minutes of booting up

[meljancan]

My pc would boot up okay, but after a few minutes, it would just shut down completely without any warnings at all. First I thought my PSU is failing. However, when I opened the case, the heatsink was loose, and I picked it up with ease - so obviously, I need to put it back with new thermal paste. Now my question, was this why my pc keeps shutting down? I'm sort of in doubt still since the heatsink wasn't hot/warm at all. Or could it be something else? Thoughts?

 

[jdog2pt0]

If the heatsink was loose, then it isn't gonna get warm. If it isn't pulling heat from the processor, then the processor is going to hit ungodly temperatures very quickly, and that's almost assuredly why your computer kept shutting down. You better hope the processor hasn't been permanently damaged.

 

[meljancan]

Makes sense! Just ordered thermal paste, and unfortunately, one of the plastic clasps that holds the sink in place, broke. So I super glued the broken piece, hopefully, it will be strong enough and won't break when I clasp it back on. We'll see on Saturday, since that's when the thermal paste arrives. I'll update and post whether or not this resolved my issue once I apply it!

 

[meljancan]

Yup, that was the cause! Sadly, the super glue did not work and so the heat sink is held only by 1 clasp - so I had to lay the case horizontally, instead of vertically so the heatsink won't come off. Took up my floor space so I can no longer stretch my legs comfortably ! Oh well, at least it works lol