computer hard stops randomly

Question

I have a 5 year old dell desktop (that was the cheapest when I bought it). Just recently it started hard stopping. The monitor just goes black and the status light on the computer changes from green to orange. I wasn't sure if this was a hardware problem or a software problem. I figured I'd try installing (or at least running) ubuntu and see if that had a problem, but I can't get it to boot from CD. I tried the windows installation CD as well. It just won't boot. I'm thinking maybe it is a hardware problem. It's probably better to just call it a good 5 years and move on, but before I do - does anyone have any tips I should try before I pitch it? I've already got the thing open.

Answer 1

1) First check your CD/DVD Drive is working , it might be because of dust.

2) If possible try installing your OS using a USB PEN-drive

3) Second Basic thing to do would be To disassemble everything in your CPU Cabinet, clean them and Assemble them back. Most of the my hardware problems have been solved by this method.

4) Make sure you clean your RAM (the golden part) with a dry cloth. I face sudden system stop like this mainly in the monsoon season since moisture gets inside the hardware

---

Here are some tips to remember before throwing away your old computer

• 5 Things You Must Check Before Disposing of Old Computers
• Things To Do before throwing away your Old PC
• Things You Can Do With Old Monitors
• Things to do with an old computer

Answer 2

Forget installing a new O/S on an unstable system. (Which, by the way, points to a hardware issue).

If you have an Ubuntu install CD, just boot to the memtest86+ test. If memory errors are found, you either have bad memory or a bad motherboard.

Answer 3

Last-gasp efforts before throwing it away :

• Have a professional clean it internally (he will get at places you won't, and will tell you more about the problem)
• Try another CD drive

However, 5 years is old age for a computer.