this is probally a really dumb question but...do i turn off computer then take out all of the plugs and cables in the back before trying to open it up? Also i don have compress air, id it really nessesary?
Its a bit scary pulling it apart, i hope i dont brake it.

Turn it off yes. Leave it plugged in as this will maintain the ground.

Read that link I posted about ESD.

Canned air is what you need. Any hardware / computer / office supply store will have cans. They are only a few dollars.

If you are uncomfortable doing it ask a friend who might be more comfortable or take it to a repair shop.

The latter will probably cost a hundred dollars or so just to look.

You can at least open it and look. What do you see? Dust?

Thanks Jephree, I did read the ESD post about leaving it plugged in but just wanted to make sure.
Im off to town to get some compressed air and then im going to attempt to clean it myself and will post you back in a couple of hours when im done.
Thanks so much for all your help.
This is a great forum.

Happy trails! Thanks for the thanks!

I may be in bed when you get back. I think I'm on the other side of the world.

Anyway will be back tomorrow @ this same time and there are many other helpful people here at D-A-L.

Let us know how it goes. Pay special attention to the fan that sits on top of your CPU.

Hello
yes it is possibe that the dust might be causing this, but it could also be the PSU (power supply unit)......or it could be a virus, i understand that you've already scanned ur computer 4 viruses but what software did you use?....

Try running your computer in safe mode (after you've cleaned out the dust in your computer)... to see if it still restarts
if it does its probably the power supply unit,

Another option you could try is to Backup your files, format and re-install the operating system! if the cause is a windows problem!

good luck!

Abdul R.

hi abdul r,okay im just back from town, bought some air and cleaned it out, wasnt really that hard and there was a bit of dust in there but not too much.
anyway i started it up and it turned on then it restarted itself again a few minutes later,did this 3 times before i could post in here.
Im using a free anti virus called avg. and i also use spybot search and destroy.
to start up in safe mode do i just hit the f8 button heaps when starting up?. what do i do once its started in safe mode?. do i just wait to see if it turns off again?.
it is an old computer maybe i should have a go at reformatting it, i have the xp home disk it came with.
thanks heaps

Hello

Yes you tap the "F8" key once you get to the boot menu, select "safe mode"...
play around with it, open word, excel e.t.c, surf the web (you will not be able to surf the web in safe mode unless you select "safe mode with networking" in the boot menu)...
The reason why I asked you to boot up in safe mode is to see if its a windows problem (system32/virus)...(i've known ppl who have AVG and still get infected with viruses)...
If your computer doesn't restart by itself in safe mode, then I would suggest you backup your files, format and re-install the OS!!

gud luck!

Thanks for that,
How will I find out if it is a (system32/virus)?
I do have a feeling that it is a virus.
I have never done a reformat before,
Im not even sure how to back up my files and things,
does it save all my info on here, meaning, music,pictures,
favourites in internet browser?.

Hello

we won't really know if its a windows(system32) or a virus causing this....problem
btw....did you try going into safe mode?...and has it been restarting?
nope, the music, pictures, favourites wouldn't be saved in the internet browser,
where do you save your picutures and music? in the My Pictures and My Music folders under My Documents??
if yes,
go to C:/Documents and Settings/user name/

and back up My Documents, Favorites, Desktop(if you have impt documents on the desktop).
I would suggest backing them onto a cd/dvd or a USB external hard drive or a USB Flash Drive

Good luck!!

Hi again,
I did a safe mode start up and it didnt restart so i guess its not power problem.
I just went browsing in the sypware forum and have downloaded ad-aware and just finished a full scan, it found 42 critical errors so i have cleaned them up now.
when i did the spybot scan yesterday it found some bad things too, which have been removed now.


Anyway thanks again for your help.!!.