Each computer has its moments of crisis that usually manifest themselves with a sudden freeze and an automatic restart. If this problem occurs only once in a while, then there is no need to worry, otherwise it can be a clear sign that the computer is about to give up or that, more precisely, a part of it is about to break because it is old or because it has been ruined . As already written in the post on how to do the "blue screen" crash analysis of Windows, when the PC freezes or restarts by itself, in most cases it is not a random error, but there is a well-defined problem not easy to discover.
In this article we try to see the most frequent nature of these problems in order to recognize them already at the first signs, to run for cover before something finally breaks .
READ ALSO: Guide to repair your computer without going to the technician
1) Hardware conflicts
Sometimes two components connected or internal to the PC try to use the same resources or to perform the same task. This creates a hardware conflict that manifests itself in unusual behavior during some normal activities. An audio conflict, for example, might disable audio in some programs, but not all of them. Not all hardware conflicts lead to a PC crash, but in some cases instabilities lead to a blue screen or a sudden restart. To verify that the hardware is working properly just go to Device Manager from the Control Panel and verify that the components are not in conflict or have the right and updated drivers. If something is wrong, you will notice an exclamation mark next to the problem device. To solve see if there is a more updated driver and install it or disconnect the device and see if the computer works better.
2) Problems with corrupt Windows files or some program
The classic sign of a PC that is about to give up is the increasingly frequent and in any case constant appearance of errors related to corrupt or missing files. Files that worked normally, suddenly don't open anymore or only work on some occasions.
This problem may be caused by a virus, so you need to check that your computer has not been affected by a virus or malware .
If it is not a virus problem, it may be a problem for a specific program or for the operating system. It is therefore worth trying to reinstall the program that does not work or repair Windows.
Another article explains how to fix the Windows "File not found or corrupt" problem .
3) Slow or noisy disc
Errors related to corrupt files combined with sudden crashes and also, sometimes, metallic noises inside the PC during uploads, are clear signs that the hard disk is about to break .
Then try a scandisk to resolve disk errors and, if sudden crashes also occur, consider replacing the disk quickly and immediately backing up important data.
READ ALSO: What to do if the computer hard disk is broken or damaged
4) Occasional startup errors
A sure sign that something is wrong is the error while booting the PC.
Sometimes there may be the message "boot device not found" or the black screen may appear with the cursor flashing. Usually this is, again, tied to a faulty hard drive or it may be that the Windows installation is ruined. Replacing the drive and / or reinstalling Windows are mandatory solutions.
I would recommend proceeding with a reinstallation of Windows following the guide "If Windows does not start and does not start, how to save everything and reinstall"
However, before doing these things, see how to fix the black screen cursor error when starting the Windows PC, in particular by checking that there is no DVD inside the player and detaching all the USB sticks.
5) Decrease in performance, ie the PC goes slow
The poor overall performance of the computer usually depends on problems related to the software installed.
Obviously the PC may be old and not able to withstand the memory consumption of the programs used, but, as already written, the computer becomes slower and slower over time due to everyday use.
A nice reset or an article reading on the causes and solutions of a slow computer can get the old PC back in shape.
If the problem persists, then there are hardware problems, probably related to RAM or disk.
READ ALSO: Symptoms of defective, damaged or broken RAM problems
6) Video Artifacts
If when you see a video on the PC, colored pixel blocks or strange lines appear above the video then we are faced with the so-called artifacts. These problems are a sign that the graphics processor of the PC, the GPU, is having problems. You could open the computer case and clean the dust inside or, if the artifacts do not go away, replace the video card. Before making extreme decisions, however, it is best to check that it is not a bug in the video or video game and that the graphics card drivers are updated.
A video card stability test with this program can help find the cause of the problem.
7) The fan makes a lot of noise and always runs at maximum
In hot weather it can be normal to have the fans running wildly to heat the internal components of the computer, but it is not normal that they are always at their maximum.
You can use a monitoring tool like SpeedFan to study the problem and see what CPU and GPU temperatures are reporting. If there was too much heat, it would be appropriate to clean the vents and inside the case from dust. The heat in fact causes a rapid deterioration of the processor and the motherboard and in serious cases leads to the sudden shutdown of the computer.
READ ALSO: If the PC makes too much noise, reduce the speed of the fans
8) Windows freezes and the PC crashes even when nothing is done
If the PC shuts down and restarts by itself, even sometimes with a blue screen, there is certainly something that is about to break or that is already broken inside. As with point 1, the fact that the computer crashes once in a while is not a sntomo of anything, but if this occurs often then there is nothing to worry about. In most cases, this situation is caused by a driver or hardware problem.
If the drivers are updated and there are no hardware conflicts (see point 1), it is better to run a benchmark to see what causes the error.
If you can understand that the problem does not depend on the hard disk (perhaps new) or on the RAM memory (which has perhaps been changed), then it may be that the motherboard is damaged. In this case it would be better to buy a new pc.
9) Sudden shutdown
On this, I refer to another article with causes and solutions if the PC turns itself off .
These eight scenarios are certainly the most common, but they are not the only signs of a computer malfunctioning.
If you have had any particular problems in the past, please let us know in the comments how you solved it.
READ ALSO: Answers to questions on blue screen, shutdown or sudden restart of the computer
