[clug-talk] Random computer crashing

[Kin Wong]

Mitchell Brown wrote:

> Okay, the full 5-stage CHKDSK just finished. Found 0 problems. Argh.
> I could try reformatting the drive and doing a NTFS Full this time - 
> but I'd probably just be wasting my time.
> If it is faulty memory or a PSU, why would reformatting the partition 
> with Linux make a difference to the Windows installer O_o
>
> I'm at a loss here. This is very frustrating for me and my mom wants 
> this video ripped asap.
>
> What would you guys do in my situation?

I have cannibalized a number of computers in my life time because of 
problems like that and walk away from the carcass.  If you need to rely 
on a computer is it not performing reliably, there is not too much that 
you can do.  The age of the components bears no correlation to its 
reliability -- when solving these kinds of problems, sometimes dead is 
good, because it is much easier to fix -- flaky is bad because you have 
to create the same circumstance for it to fail.

Could it be caused by a heating issue -- try opening up the case and 
running a fan against the mb, if you have a cold soldier joint or a bad 
trace, temperature fluctuations could cause a system failure.