I have a Gateway MX8711 that is running Windows Vista Home Premium. The computer operates fine, meaning it is completely functional; however, it shuts off randomly. I ran HiJackThis! (pasted below) and downloaded SpeedFan. The temps with SpeedFan are very low while just sitting there, but once I start doing anything (ie, typing in this browser), it shoots up pretty high. It shot up to almost 70 percent once. However, my activities are pretty equal, from internet browsing to running the Hiren's boot disk, and I can't see a pattern with it shutting down. I am wondering if it is an overheating problem that is making it shut off. It never went over 50% while typing this, and never shut off. Thanks in advance for any advice or help. HThis log:
The computer stayed on for almost 15 minutes while I made that post, but as soon as I went to Facebook.com and logged in, it shut off. On SpeedFan, I see Core0:58C Core1:58C after opening Internet Explorer and going to TMZ.com, it shot up to Core0:76C Core1:74C
Thanks for your reply! I appreciate any help. It's a laptop- should I open any compartments to blow the dust, or just around the back where I can see the fan?
I blew out the fan, but there was literally no dust anywhere. The computer was a standby and has barely been used.
My apologies for not posting this in the correct forum; I didn't know if it was a Windows issue or a hardware issue. The fan that I can see on the back/bottom of the laptop was spinning yesterday, but doesn't seem to be this morning; however, I haven't really used the laptop much. I did leave it on all night and it stayed on without turning off - could that be just because I didn't use it, so it didn't have a chance to overheat? If it is the fan, would I need to replace it with something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gateway-PA6A-MX...320?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eb1e00968 and how hard would it be to replace? I thought I've seen just plug & play fans for gamers, etc.
can try a laptop cooler tray that has fans on it that blows cool air to the underneath of the laptop?
These gateways are rubbish .. sorry.. chances are you need to replace the whole cpu cooler assembly... the heat pipes and everything.. that may not cure it however because it may be another heat related fault.. quite possibly the cpu itself. ditch fista.. they run 7 like a bag of crap.. xp machines at heart
Thanks for your replies. That stinks, about the whole computer being rubbish, because it runs fine otherwise. I've noticed that the fan on the bottom has NOT been spinning since someone asked me to check it. I thought for sure I'd seen it spin recently, but there is a chance it hasn't. Is it worth it to try a new fan, since that one isn't spinning? And to ps355528, do you think if I installed XP on the Gateway that it would help at all? Thanks again, so so much for your help!!
Does anyone think I'd have any chance of success if I replaced the fan? Or am I more likely to be wasting my time and money?
it NOT a software issue, clean out your computer, if it's overclocked, put it back to default, add in more fans. and check your cpu heatsink and fan. if its dirty CLEAN IT! if you see anything thats bent, broken,cracked or otherwise damaged replace your heatsink.