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CPU shuts off mid game

• fatdan 3,379 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 3:52 PM

  Make sure your fans are working, not uncommon for them to go out...

  take the side panel off of the tower, and point a regular fan at it and play...if it still shuts down it might be the power supply...if it doesn't it is a thermal problem with CPU...

  Older AMD's run hotter...

• 35 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 6:16 PM

  OK thanks for the info

• carlosdev 2,559 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 9:05 PM

  Hello

  Probably it will be heating issue. Make sure if the fans are working properly. Now if you can open the CPU's side cover n try it playing again n see if its shutting down(as there will be more airflow). If its still shutting down, I suggest you call a computer expert.

  If this scenario persist, then your SMPS will be affected.

  - Carl

• alosso 21,072 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 9:56 PM

  BernardDarwin:

  Recently my CPU has just shut down mid game. [...] today it shut down three times in a stroke play match. [...]

  Can anyone tell me what might be causing this and how to remedy it?

  Perhaps this description fits to your system:

  Laptop with Firefox browser, frequently shuts down with heavy CPU load (100%) and resulting heat protection. I can hear the fan running top speed before it happens.

  Probable culprit of the CPU load is memory consumption. This may be caused by Flash, at least by FF which "doesn't like" Flash.

  Remedy attempts:

  - frequent restart of FF (but not during a game),

  - reducing programs and processes in the system (i.e., no Skype or music, no extra FF windows),

  - change of browser.

• alosso 21,072 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 10:00 PM

  BernardDarwin:

  Recently my CPU has just shut down mid game. [...] today it shut down three times in a stroke play match. [...]

  Can anyone tell me what might be causing this and how to remedy it?

  Perhaps this description fits to your system:

  Laptop with Firefox browser, frequently shuts down with heavy CPU load (100%) and resulting heat protection. I can hear the fan running top speed before it happens.

  Probable culprit of the CPU load is memory consumption. This may be caused by Flash, at least by FF which "doesn't like" Flash.

  Remedy attempts:

  - enable "hardware acceleration" (sp?) in the Flash options,

  - frequent restart of FF (but not during a game),

  - reducing programs and processes in the system (i.e., no Skype or music, no extra FF windows),

  - change of browser.

• borntobesting 9,709 Posts

  Sun, Jul 22 2018 11:17 PM

  Are you certain in that it’s the CPU shutting down and not the video card’s  GPU. Both act the same way. 

  if you are sure its the CPU also check for excessive dust in the vents. This can cause CPU’s to overheat as well.

• ScottHope 10,445 Posts

  Mon, Jul 23 2018 3:23 AM

  Windows has an event viewer which logs what goes on with your PC with regards to errors and the like. Now, I don't use it, so I don't know how to get the information out of it that might be useful to you, but if you type event viewer into your Windows 7 start button search box, or ask Cortana (Windows 10) for it, then you'll be able to find it. But you might have to Google how to use it to find the info you want.

• Tigerpaw509 1,285 Posts

  Mon, Jul 23 2018 4:16 AM

  Take the cover off and blow out all the caked on dust then blow all the dust out again.Make sure fans are working,heat sinks are attached to the processor/video card  and be sure the memory sticks haven't come lose.My CPU temp runs around 58c normally and when playing Wgt it rises to 80c

   

• garyk49 2,331 Posts

  Mon, Jul 23 2018 6:45 AM

  If it's happening on a very regular basis, listen to your computer.  Most newer computers the fans will speed up if it's getting too hot.  If you hear that just before shutdown, you will have your answer.  If you had one of the motherboards that yelled at you when it gets too hot, you would have your answer right there.  It is a very annoying sound.

  Good advice is to clean the dust from cabinet vents and look to make sure ALL fans are running.

  Without looking it up, I think the video the OP mentioned is onboard, thus the GPU shutting down is most likely not the case.  If tho, there is, a GPU installed, a failing Power Supply could also be the problem.  Unless custom built, it's possible the power supply is borderline supplying enough power at all times for the GPU  Be willing to bet PS he has is probably around 250W, 350W tops.

  If you do not feel comfortable with getting into your computer to clean, DON'T.  Take it someplace or have a friend that knows do it for you.

   

• 35 Posts

  Sat, Aug 25 2018 7:18 AM

  Thanks to all for your help - much appreciated. Had a technician come in - he took the case apart and blew out the four year accumulation of dirt and dust with compressed air and applied some sort of silver compound to increase cooling ability and the problem has disappeared. He will return later this week to install a new power supply just for good measure. The whirring, racing sound that was often present when playing scrabble or golf has disappeared as well.