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It has been a problem to almost all personal computer owners to have their computers shut down without any warning. Many of us are confused why this is happening to our computers. To keep away those doubts and questions we have in mind. Below are some of the possible reasons why our computer will shut down without warning.

The possible causes why a computer would turn off without any warning include heat related issue, hardware issue or error, computer virus, issue with operating system, and other failing hardware.

Heat related issue – this can be the reason why your computer turns off without warning. Majority of the computers today and designed to automatically shut off or reboot if any of the computer’s devices gets too hot. On the other hand, unusual noises created by your computers like high squealing can be an indication that your computer fan is not functioning properly.

Hardware issue or error – is another cause why a computer will turn off without any warning. It is important for you to know that any hardware components of the computer that fails to function regularly could cause a computer to turn off unexpectedly. If it happen that you have just added a new hardware device, it is advised to have it removed first to make sure that it is not the one that causes the issue.

Computer virus – when the computer automatically shuts off without warning, it can also be possibly caused by a computer virus, as there are some viruses that are designed to turn off your computer without warning by the time the virus infected the computer. One of the indications that your computer is infected with a virus is when it suddenly shuts off when executing a program. To avoid this thing to happen, make sure that your anti-virus is updated.

Issue with operating system – this can be the cause of your computer’s auto shut off issue if after checking all the possible causes mentioned above, the computer still shuts off automatically. To determine if it is really a OS issue doing the following steps could help.

• Reboot your computer and enter the CMOS setup.
• While in the CMOS setup, let the computer set for a while.

If after following the recommended step and the computer does turns off while at its CMOS setup, it is a clear indication that you are having an issue with your operating system.

Other failing hardware – if after trying to determine the issue with the possible causes mentioned above and has tried reinstalling a new operating system and the computer continues to shut off automatically still, other causes of the issue could be a hardware failure. Most of the time when a computer shuts off without warning, this can possibly because your RAM, CPU, Motherboard, and or power supply fails to function normally. Makin sure that a hardware failure causes the issue is to have your computer tested using a hardware in lieu of your computer’s hardware. If you do not have any extra parts to test your computer, it is advisable to have your computer checked by a professional.

When purchasing for a hard disk drive, there are many issues to consider first before finally purchasing a new one. It is also important that you understand and verify first if the hard disk drive that you plan to buy will be suitable for your need and does not possess any features that you may not need in the future. With the changing features of hard disk drives, it can be hard to determine what best suits for you.

Interface – when buying for a hard disk drive for your computer, it is important to know how it will communicate with your computer or better known as the interface that it will be using to communicate. Various interfaces are available and these include IDE/ATAPI/ATA, SCSI, and the external like USB, Fire wire, and parallel.

IDE/ATAPI/ATA – this interface is one of the most common and can be seen on IBM compatible computer. Generally, hard disks with this kind of interface are easy to install and customize.

SCSI – this is another known interface and is commonly found in Apple as well as IBM computers. Hard disk drive with SCSI interface can be a faster solution but in some cases is harder to install compared to IDE/ATPI, for in order to install a SCSI hard disk, a SCSI card and connection on the SCSI cable connecting to the SCSI card is necessary.

External (USB/Fire wire/Parallel) – today, external solutions are already available for our comfort. External interface include USB Hard disk drive, Fire Wire Hard Disk drive, and Parallel Hard Disk drive. When considering to purchase and external drive, looking into speed difference for data transfer is important as well.

Speed – when purchasing your hard disk drive, looking into the file transfer speed is another important factor to consider. One must note that long transfer rates can slow down ones computer especially when transferring larger files. The hard disk transfer speed can be determined in the form of RPM or the rotations per minute.

Aside from the abovementioned factors to consider when purchasing for a hard disk drive, there are still many factors to consider including the warranty, support, components included upon purchase, internal and external transfer rates, S.M.A.R.T., ATA, ATA/33, ATA/66, and the ATA/100.

Warranty is an important factor to consider for this will be your resource the moment your hard disk drive have defects that are covered with warranty, thus, can be replaced at no charge.

Support is another helpful factor to consider, for they will be the one you can lean on in times of troubles.

Included items like the cables, standard drive rails, instruction and diskette or CD for installation must be present upon purchase.

S.M.A.R.T. is a hard disk drive feature that warns users of possible problems or troubles, thus an important factor to consider.

The ATA interface is another feature that allows the hard disk drive to transfer files as a faster speed. If you are into transferring files more often, then, this is an important factor for you to consider.

In addition, looking into your budget is another thing to consider, and thus, check prices first before buying.

Cooling fans are known to keep your CPU cool while in use. With today’s increase powers of computer processors, more cooling are needed, as today’s processors generates more heat. To keep your entire system maintains its best performance and safety, adequate cooling is required.  Since cooling system is important for your system’s performance and safety, you must make sure that your CPU cooling fans are fully functional.

The easy and simple to follow steps in checking if your CPU cooling fun are fully functional are mentioned below.

To check your CPU cooling fan’s performance, checking your CPU fan’s physical condition must be done first. In order to do this, you must first take off the side of your computer casing in order for you to see the CPU fan that is installed inside. You will then consult with your motherboard’s instruction booklet to make sure that your CPU cooling is plugged to a power lead that is adequate enough for your fan’s needs.  After you have checking and is now sure that the fan is plugged appropriately, it is now the time to turn on your PC to make sure that the installed fan is spinning. If it happen that your CPU cooling fan is not spinning, turning off your computer immediately is recommended.

After you have discovered that your CPU cooling fan is not spinning, the next step that you will do is to unplug your processor’s fan and have it plugged into another power lead. Instructions on finding for an alternative power lead can be found in your motherboard’s instruction manual. Though each motherboards are slight different from each other, most of the time, alternative power lead are located immediately to the right of the processor.

After you have plugged your CPU cooling fan to an alternative power lead, you then now turn on your computer to see if the fan is spinning.

After you have checked the physical condition of your CPU cooling fan, it is now time for you to check on the fan’s functionality.

In order to check your CPU cooling fan’s functionality, the first that you will do is to turn on your computer with the side cover of your casing open still. After that, you will have to download “Prime95 stress test”, the program that will make sure that your processor is working 100% well.

After you have done that step, the next thing that you will do is to run the stress test and watch out for your fan. If after you have started the stress test, your CPU cooling fan begins to spin faster, then it is a clear indication that your fan is functioning properly and is at its 100% capacity.

With the above simple to follow steps in checking for your CPU cooling fan’s functionality, surely, your computer will now be at its best always, maintains its proper performance, and is safe from overheating or damage due to lack of cooling system or due to a malfunctioned cooling fan.