Linux Is Best on Nostr: How I diagnose a computer that random shuts down. Step 1) - Install a fresh OS. Fresh ...

How I diagnose a computer that random shuts down.

Step 1) - Install a fresh OS.

Fresh means, no software, and no drivers. Just the base bones operating system. If the issue is resolved, slowly, install drivers one by one, and be sure to wait between each install. If the issue is not resolved, and the computer reboots with fresh OS, the problem is hardware. Or if the issue vanished with a clean OS, but returns with new drivers, the problem is likely faulty driver, download new or older driver than current being used.

Step 2) Run on-board diagnosis (if available).

If a fresh OS did not resolve this, meaning it rebooted before you installed anything (including drivers), and you have also ruled out drivers too, then the issue is not software, but hardware. Process of elimination begins!

1st, if your PC has an on-board diagnosis, run it. If something fails, you now know what the issue is. If everything passes, more work is required.

Step 3) Remove hardware 1 by 1

You want to slowly continue this process until you are down to your hard driver, 1 stick of ram, motherboard, CPU, and PSU. The bare minimum to use a PC, replying on your onboard video too.

If removing the GPU solved the reboot, do not automatically assume bad GPU, rather replace PSU (power supply) with a newer and more powerful model. If a new PSU does not resolve the issue, you know it is your GPU.

Once down to the last stick of ram, swap it out for one you've already tested, and place that stick in a different slow. If this solves the issue, move that new stick into the previous slow. If the issue returns, the motherboard is the problem. If the issue does not return, that 1 stick of ram you took out, was the problem. If the issue remains, regardless....

Step 4) Unplug case ports.

Bad case ports can short out your motherboard. This is why, I saved this for last. Unplugging your case ports may suggest you need a new case (actually ports, but some cases have a customer fit). Just because you've unplugged your case ports and found the issue went away, does not guarantee no harm has come to your motherboard. In fact, the case could be fine, and it could actually be that part of your motherboard.

If you're at this point, you can decide to just replace the case and hope the motherboard is fine. But you should not put a new motherboard in your old case. However, if the motherboard was bad, you may short out your new case. - It is an evil cycle.

But if the issue continues, regardless of unplugging your case ports....

Step 5) Swap out your PSU.

Modern PSU's are very stable and often the last thing to worry about. Although, many old school users tend to test these first, because long ago, PSUs were the things you needed to worry about. If you swap out your PSU, be sure to also swap out your power cord with it.

If the problem went away, great. If not, it is likely your motherboard or CPU. Most people assume the motherboard.


Step 5) If the PSU, motherboard, and case were not the problem.

If you swapped out your case, motherboard, PSU -- You, almost, have a new PC at this point (replying on onboard video). And if you learn your CPU was the cause all along, you may as well buy a 2nd, and celebrate that you now have two working computers.

Don't laugh, I did this once. 😅