Using XP Home, service pack 2
If more specs are needed, I can get them (with some direction) as I often forget my specs.
My Problem:
While using the computer, without warning, my computer turns off. No shut down noise or splash screen. I should have taken note of when it began, but I was a little caught off gaurd due to a busy time in my life and didn't think to do so. Noises have begun to occassionally come from my computer while I have it on.
What I have tried:
I ran ad-aware SE and spybot, and then Avast! (with a boot scan and all) to ruke out the possiblity of infection. If it is an infection it's one that nethier are picking up on.
I did this because when my computer is working, I leave it on. I use it pretty fequently, and at various times of the day, so there isn't much point of turning it off except for maintance. This allows it to acess the internet while I am out of the room at times, as so I realize infection possiblity is higher than normal.
If it IS an infection it eludes me. But I believe it to be hardware. I'm not sure what part though. It's hard to descibe the noises, but I may have two different ones.
Once my computer shuts off, it didn't stay on very long, no matter what I did. (including just sitting in the bois) But if I let it sit for an hour, I'd get it to stay on longer. Thinking it to be a heating issue, I checked my comp and my bios. Sure enough, a little fan I have near the main HD had stopped.
I turned off the montioring in the bios, and placed two large fans near my comp to see if that would resolve the issue. No effect.
I then plugged my comp into another outlet, as the wiring in my apartment is really old. I suddenly got it to boot as though I had let it sit. I have tested pulling the cord out of the wall, and then putting it back in when my comp shuts off, and get the same longer on time result. (though the time varies as I will explain) I now thought it was the power supply. (I did have a tester for power supplies, but have lost it)
But then, I realized something. I can boot up chat programs like google talk and Ventrilo, use them all I want, and my comp never shuts off. It can stay on for days. I can even browse the web.
But try and run something else, like world of warcraft, or listen to music, even play an online game, (like a flash player or java based game) and the comp will shut down again. I've timed this, but it seems to be random. So now I am back where I started, because I doubt the power supply would be a factor in that odd shut down.
My question:
Is there anything I might could try to figure out what's really causing the problem? I am on a tight budget this month, and so when I have money for repairs, I'm not gonna be able to afford to replace a part that does not need to be replaced.
It would be a great help if I could locate the problem now, so that it's easier to fix, and not a shot in the dark.
Oh, another bit of info that may help. My montior has trouble awakening from sleep mode (where the screen goes dark) if left in sleep for a bit. I was having the problem with my montior before this shut down occarance, little while before it, but thought nothing of it. My montior is old as far as computers go and has been through alot, so I assumed it was my montior going out, but in light of this, that may not be the case.
Normal Operation:
When plugged in, and not turned off, a light in the button is green (if the computer is on) or orange. (if the comp is off) If the montior itself is off, the light is too.
When it has trouble awaking from sleep mode, that button flashes green and no visual comes on. Eventally, (though it can sometimes take several minutes) the screen will display as normal, and as long as you keep active enough to not go into sleep mode again, doesn't have any problems, (meaning no odd behavior) except in the case of logging in to a user account. (where the screen may go dark and flash again, though this exception rarely happens and tends to be shorter)
Thanks in advance for any help!
