Re: Event Viewer - "unexpected shutdowns"

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Hi Blithe,

You have all the classic signs of impending hardware failure. It doesn't matter what you do with the operating system or the software installed on it, the fix is to isolate and replace the faulty component. If you've run the memory diagnostics and ruled that out, the next steps involve checking the hard drive, motherboard, cpu, and power supply. While some manufacturers offer bootable diagnostic software, generally the best way to sort it is to swap in known good components. Steps I would take are: 1) download and run a hdd diagnostic from the manufacturer, 2) pop the case open and check for proper fan operation and ensure the processor heat sink is clear, 3) take a small pen flashlight and examine the motherboard for bulging/leaking capacitors, 4) swap in a new power supply. Beyond this requires a technician or someone comfortable with working inside the pc.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Blithe" <invalid@xxxxxxx> wrote in message news:ekm9P2R0JHA.4736@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My 'unexpected shutdowns' are random and occur -on average- once every session. They vary but usually go by two main scenarios: (1) Vista desktop and mouse cursor freezes - control/alt/delete and keyboard too - the only alternative is to push the PC restart button - or (2) the monitor goes black and Vista reboots on its own.

What's usually happening when these scenarios occur? Well, I ought to keep a log ready to record these events. I'll soon have to try but as a student in a much earlier life - I took such bad lecture notes I could not read them after two class lectures. Here's what I can recall:
1. I think most shutdowns have happened when either beginning to view a video or going to a new web page that pops up a streaming advertisement.
2. I recall one when I opened Windows Mail - but cannot say if I had clicked on anything yet or if mail was downloading at the time. So - it may not be Windows Mail but just the action of opening a new window?

My Internet research indicates these 'unexpected shutdowns' have been frustrating Vista & earlier MS OS users for years. Rather surprisingly, I found no promising suggestions for troubleshooting or remedies - to date. For years the OS of my choice was W2K. If only Vista had W2K's reliability. I rarely - if ever- experienced such ongoing, unexpained W2K events.

Perhaps I've missed some new info that addresses this issue - so that's the primary reason for this posting. Anything?

Thanks - Blithe
PS - I should add that upon rebooting after an unexpected shutdown - Vista asks if Safe Mode is desired during rebooting. I never benefited by going to Safe Mode - except that on the many occasions that I bypassed Safe Mode & choose normal rebooting - I would experience a variety of other issues soon afterwards. So - Safe Mode is probably the best way to go if one's patience permits - even if it avails few if any hints as to the specific shutdown.

[System Summary]
OS Name Microsoft® Windows VistaT Ultimate
Version 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
System Model: Maximus Extreme (Asus)
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6001.18000"
System Type: x64-based PC
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Extreme CPU Q6850 @ 3.00GHz, 2997 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 0904, 12/18/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 4.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.70 GB
Total Virtual Memory 8.20 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.82 GB
Page File Space 4.29 GB


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