My computer shuts down while running graphical applications.

[Radioactive Ant]

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHY THIS HAPPENS?

When I am running any sort of graphical application.... a game, or even Windows Media Player... my computer will shut down all of a sudden after 10 minutes... I have done everything, checked RAM, updated drivers, updated BIOS... EVERYTHING... I am about to spend $4000 to fix this problem... (a really hopped up Alienware computer)

[Buzioid]

Your Graphics card could be getting overheated, is it properly cooled?
You can get alienware hardware for a lot cheaper if you build your computer yourself..

[Xeroid]

Shuts down? As in powers off? Have you checked your temps? What kind of hardware and which OS?

Welcome to Techimo.

[Eryk]

what is your power supply?

[Radioactive Ant]

Number 1: I DID customize the Alienware computer... like I said.... it is REALLY hopped up.... best of everything..... (including an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB), it all added up to $4000 just about.... and I am still thinking about upgrades.... I'm so evil, there are homeless people who could get a decent job with that kind of money.

Number 2: The graphics card I have now is an ATI Radeon 9000 Pro 128MB... I have my computer case open and a fan running...

3: Yes... powers off.... No I havnt checked temps... how do I do that?

4: I have my computer hooked to the wall... my computer is a Compaq Presario 5320US... so I dont know what brand the power supply is......

[Xeroid]

You should be able to check your temps in your Compaq Setup program. If you are using an external fan to blow fresh air into your PC with the case open your temps are probably OK.

When Eryk was asking about your power supply, I think he was refering to the rating in Watts. It may not be large enough to power your PC now that you have upgraded your video. You will have to look at the sticker on the side of the power supply to determine how many watts it is rated at.

[Radioactive Ant]

Well, its 250W....

Im not using an external fan... just one hooked into the graphics card and the processor....

[Radioactive Ant]

Ok, heres some useful inforamation...

My computer used to just lock up after 5 minutes of anything graphical...

I reinstalled the graphics card and drivers, now its doing the shut down thing...

I reinstalled again... no fix.... new drivers... no fix.... new BIOS... no fix

[Scott Tiger]

250W?! I think you just found your next upgrade. Look for a quality 350W at a minimum.

[Droppyale]

250W ...

you need at least 350W to run that video card smooth...

that might be your problem...