PC crashes when installing large programs - Any ideas?

Question

Hi there!

I've got a problem with my pc. It crashes when i try to install (large) programs.

Background:
A while back i took out one of the three HDD's, that i used for storage. One of the remaining ones (also data storage) broke. The last one (system) is still in the pc. Around that time my pc started to crash sometimes, but it had no problems with turning on again. Today it started crashing more often, and i noticed that it did so while installing programs. Small ones like VLC media player, bittorrent or teamviewer do not trigger this.

I tried:
- Uninstalling certain programs
- Formating HDD and installing new windows version
- Replace RAM
- Made sure it was not due core temperature (but still am not 100% sure that it is not (part of) the cause)

Specifications:
- The pc simply crashes, no BSOD, no errors, it simply turns off instantly.
- My old version of windows was 7, the new one 8.

Programs that cause this:
(these also were the only ones i tried)
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 Ultimate
- Solidworks 2013

Does anyone know how to track-, or fix what is causing the crashes?
Thanks in advance!

- Marcel

Answer 1

It sounds like a overheating problem. If you want to be sure you can try pressing the power button right after it shuts down. If it doesn't work but starts working easily after unplugging and plugging the computer then it is definitely overheating. You can also verify it with motherboard monitor software which tracks CPU and case temperatures. Most likely your hand hit the CPU fan while messing with those HDDs and the old, dry thermal paste between the CPU and its fan lost its efficiency. Start with watching temperatures, observe a crash and finally renew the thermal paste. Cleaning the inside of the case and making sure every heat-producing component can breathe without any obstruction is a task you should regularly do anyway. Peace.

Answer 2

Strange problem.



I'd suggest going into BIOS and turning on the S.M.A.R.T. feature. Save and reboot. Look close when the reboot takes place and see if SMART reports anything. Often, you have to hit tab to see what is going on.

Is the drive 'clicking'? Does it make ANY noise? It really sounds like the drive is going bad, or you need to clean your optical drive or the optical drive is going bad.

Answer 3

If its powering off completely, and not rebooting, It's not Crashing, it's overheating. the persistant long installs allow it to build up heat and Power Off to prevent damage. I recommend you have someone qualified take it apart and clean it out, it's likely full of Dust.