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Question

desktop P.C. won't stay on. Keeps shutting down

Sep 5, 2015 7:40AM PDT

After installing several win/ updates on a Tues., I forgot to shut the computer down., HP pavillion slimline. The next time I went to use it, I started it up but it would just shut back down. I went into safe mode to do some troubleshooting but it wouldn't stay in safe mode either. It just won't stay on and will shut down completely after less than 5 min.. I can't even check to see if it overheated. Windows 7 was preinstalled and I don't have a back up. Can anyone help me understand what may be going on?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
How old is this computer?
Sep 5, 2015 7:49AM PDT

My guess would be a failing power supply. If it's more than 3-4 years old, that's a distinct possibility. I'd take it to a shop and have it checked. I'd try to back up any data I could. Possibly you could remove the hard drive, put it in an enclosure, and back up the hard drive on another computer.
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When you've gotten your system back like you want it, I urge you to get yourself an external hard drive and a good 3rd party backup program. You can set it up to do everything automagically at the time and frequency of your choice. 1 TB external hard drives are about $50 these days and a really good FREE backup program is the Easeus Todo Backup Free. That can save you a lot of time and frustration the next time something like this happens. Sooner or later it happens to all computers for one reason or another.

Good luck.

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Answer
that's enough time
Sep 5, 2015 8:07AM PDT

to boot into the BIOS and go into the Health area where you can watch the temp setting, see if it starts getting too hot over the next few minutes.

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BIOS
Sep 5, 2015 2:45PM PDT

thank you very much for answering my concern so quickly. i did get into BIOS but didn't see anything about the temp.. isn't this normally where it's at?. When I did go into it last time, it didn't seem to get hot but I'm not so certain the sound of the computer loading up sounded the same. Like maybe a fan isn't working. Not sure, could be hearing it normally too...

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I'd need to know exact model
Sep 5, 2015 3:14PM PDT

and preferably the motherboard model would help even more.

If you have an UEFI bios, then it would be different in approach than older standard MBR type bios.

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BIOS
Sep 5, 2015 3:26PM PDT
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/HP-Pavilion-Slimline-s3000-Desktop-PC-series/3548649/model/3560233/document/bph07165#AbT4


BIOS updates
Only install BIOS updates from HP. Refer to one of the following HP support documents for complete instructions to find and install BIOS updates from HP:

Desktop computers: Updating the BIOS
Notebook computers: Updating the BIOS


How do I find the current version of a driver, software or BIOS on my computer?
The current versions of the drivers, software and BIOS can be found in the Device Manager.
Many driver version numbers can be found using Device Manager. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager. Double-click the name of the component, and then click the Driver tab in the properties window.
Figure : DVD drive properties
DVD drive properties with Driver version shown
To find the software version number, click Help, then click About. The location of the version number varies for some software.
The BIOS version (revision) can be viewed on the BIOS Setup screen. To open the BIOS Setup screen:

Turn off the computer and wait five seconds.
Open the BIOS:
For some computers built in 2009 and later with UEFI environment, press the power button and immediately press the Esc key repeatedly to open the Startup menu. Select F10 to open the BIOS.
For most computers built from 2006 to 2010, press the power button and immediately press the F10 key repeatedly.
For some computers built before 2006, press the power button and immediately press the F1 key repeatedly.
View the BIOS version listed on the BIOS Main screen.
Figure : BIOS Main screen example (your system BIOS might look different)
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Answer
another way to check if heat problem
Sep 5, 2015 3:13PM PDT

another way to check for heat is to take the cover off the case and let it run as normal. If it shuts down, most likely not a heat problem. A small desk fan will help with the test but not necessary.

also did you open the case to make sure it was dust free and all wires and cards are properly plugged in?