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[lzz]

My computer just restarted itself several times in a row, off its own bat, while I was in the middle of typing an email! How rude! When it is restarting, it makes a strange whirring/fizzing noise like a moth being steadily shredded on a scythe-edged wheel. (No, it's just like that - really - I have heard lots of moths being dismembered in this

Comments

[megamole]

Could be fan - so overheating - or HDD - so back your files up.

May be worth opening the case up and blowing all the dust out with the special pressurised air squirty thing.

[lzz]

It was brand new when it first did it, though!

[crazyscot]

Changed anything recently?

If there's a moth infestation it's possible they're affecting the CPU cooling, causing emergency poweroffs. Maybe time to take the lid off, hoover in hand.

There was some malware a couple of years ago which would cause uncommanded shutdowns, but IIRC that did at least have the courtesy of putting up what looked like a system dialog box telling you it was shutting down. Is your antivirus up to date?

[lzz]

Changed anything recently?

What sort of anything? It was brand new when it first did it. I don't think there's really a moth infestation, it just sounds like that to me!

Antivirus should be up to date, yes.

[crazyscot]

How new is it? Consider taking it back!
I'd try to identify the noise next. From your description it could well be that something was catching on a fan, though I'd want to have a listen myself before I was sure; next step possibly then taking the lid off to have a look, see if any cables were catching.

[lzz]

Very new; still easily within warranty. I didn't buy it from anywhere I can literally 'take it back' to, though; I bought it from Dell online. do you reckon I should ring their customer service line?

[i_am_marky]

Yeah, heat is the usual suspect. Just open up the case and clean out all the dust from the fans and hopefully it should start behaving.

[lzz]

It was brand new when it first did it, though!

[casilda]

Phone Dell if it is still under warranty. They were really helpful when I had problems with my Dell.

[dfordoom]

I'd be inclined to take it out and shoot it, but that could just be a reflection of my feelings towards computers. If I'd taken my last computer out and shot it when it started acting up, instead of trying to get it fixed, I'd have had a much happier life. It's also worthwhile letting your computer now that you are considering shooting it as an option. That may help its attitude a little.