When your computer shuts down, there’s close to a  dozen reasons why. And each reason stems from a whole lot of PC issues, so if you want to take the first line of defense, better get down to the bottom by asking yourself: What kind of shut down is going on?

Common causes of computer shut down

Your computer shuts down because of

1. Abnormal Temperature.  Earlier your system was running smoothly, and now it’s not. You may have to check the temperature of your PC’s CPU. Make sure the fans run on your PC’s power and your CPU doesn’t grow warm.

2. Power Hiccup. If not, your PC may have shut down because of a power hiccup. You may say it’s a sudden surge of power that jolts your PC. This results in a lag—or your computer reboots, if not it goes into error mode. This is called the Blue Screen of Death. It’s not like final death as in oblivion—your computer can still recover your files, but expect them to be skewered. Imagine someone meeting a head-on collision with a ten-wheeler truck and comes out from a long coma. What you need is a UPS and a surge projector. Then go ahead and check the power cord in case you may have plugged it in half way.

3. Overheat. The least idea you can entertain is   to think that your PC may be overheating, if not your motherboard has loose caps. When your system overheats because your CPU’s temperature goes berserk, your PC has auto power down feature– a least your PC does not catch fire.

4. Software censor.  Or, you may not have installed a software that limits full access to your PC. Your PC’s overheating is caused by overuse, of course, so you can check your PC’s BIOS and monitor temps. Air out your  unit. The most you can do is replace them with new ones, or buy a new motherboard.

You can put thermal paste on your PC’s CPU.  You can  also do a virus scan in case there are viruses and Trojans.  In a heated PC, go to  BIOs and  press Supr. Check your mother board’s documentation and search for the recommended values.

How to troubleshoot computer shutdown

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Start your PC and go to Control Panel.
2. Then click Performance and Maintenance
3. Click on Power Options.
4. Click the APM tab.
5. Look for  Enable Advanced Power Management Support and check the box
6. Then, click OK.

Some computers have an advanced configuration power interchange that shows completed message on the screen before your PC shuts down. If yours doesn’t have any, then you have to use one that has a HAL.  PCs with ACPI have an ACPI-compliant basic input/output system or BIOS that allows your PC’s operating system to turn off its power supply automatically.  But HAL is installed in computers that support APM only. The ones without this do not turn off even when you shut them down.

Further Readings:

• How to Force Program to Shut Down
• How to Get Rid of a Computer Virus