| Limom:
Poltergeists!!
- First, backup your data. You don't necessarily need to backup the whole drive since the applications should be reinstallable from the riginal CD/DVD media but backup things like documents, pictures, spreadsheets, powerpoints presentations, music, etc. You can backup pretty quickly (depending) to a flash drive and large flash drives aren't so expensive now. She can also backup to CD or DVD if the computer has that capability. Another option is to purchase an external hard drive and backup to it. This isn't a bad thing to do anyway since then she'll have a place to do regular backups to. You can get a pretty large capacity external drive for < $150.
- What's unusual is that you say the printer is also having strange power down problems. If the computer and printer are both plugged into a 'power strip', replace the power strip. If this doesn't work, see if plugging the computer and printer into the wall in a different room help solve the problem. If this is at her dorm, then try having her plug into a different outlet (with a different power strip) there if she can.
- Check the power supply fan to make sure it's working. This is easy to do on a desktop since the fan is right there at the back of the computer. You can check by holding a piece of paper to it. There could be two fans, one for the power supply and the other for the chassis - check both.
- If you can, take the cover off of the desktop (usually this is very easy on Dell desktops and often doesn't require even a screwdriver - check the documentation if you don't know how). After the cover's off, power on the computer and make sure the fan cooling the microprocessor is really working. The fan might be right on top of the microprocessor or there might be a fan with a shroud to the microprocessor. The Microprocessor is the biggest 'chip' plugged into the motherboard.
Note 1 - The microprocessor can get 'very' hot within just a minute or two so even if it's shutting down after only 5 minutes it could be due to a heat problem. Make sure you don't touch the microprocessor even if the fans are working since it can easily burn you.
Note 2 - if Dell actually physically looked at the PC (as opposed to just being on the phone) they would have checked these out.
- Unusual things like a power supply failing intermittently or a motherboard issue (like a stress crack or cold solder joint) can cause the problem she's seeing.
- If you haven't already done so, check the 'event log' of the computer to see if it gives any clue at all as to why it might have shut down although from your description there may not be anything there. Generally, you can find the event log by going to Start->Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Event Viewer.
I wouldn't expect a virus to cause the types of shutdowns you're seeing.
Good luck! |