My mates computer stops at random times during the boot sequence.

It'll run for up to 30 seconds and simply power off after, we haven't seen a windows logo since we started.
If we restart the computer right after it powered off it'll only run for 15 seconds, if we start it again right after it'll only run for 10 and so forth.

It's not overheated, temperatures do not pass 30 degrees celcius.
RAM is working
CPU is working

Specs

• Win 7
• SATA2 motherboard
• ATI Radion graphic card
• 600W Silent Pro power supply
• 1TB WD hard drive

I initally started helping him because his fans were blocked by dust, it would still run but it would make a hard, painful noise.
I cleaned all the boards and fans with a duster until they were clean.

Right after I finished cleaning I started it up and since it won't run for longer than 30 seconds.


Any tips are greatly appreciated.

 

It could be a BIOS issue, have you taken the BIOS battery out for 10 seconds and put it back in and see what happens? Also, do you recall adjusting anything in his case while you were cleaning it? It's easy to knock something when you're in the computer.

 

I haven't (knowingly) adjusted anything and went to work quite careful as it is not my hardware. As of now we are trying to get to/take out the BIOS battery.

 

It's not an issue caused by removing the battery, I can almost guarantee it.
I work at a school district that used to buy Dells and Dells only, and the batteries have died on a LOT of them.
The only thing it causes it lost settings, which is annoying when you need remote wake up enabled or you're trying to boot from the network.

I faced an issue exactly like this not to long ago, and it was an issue with the ram. Try taking the ram out and placing it back in. (While you're in there it would be a good idea to reset other stuff as well, such as the video card.)

What point does it get to/what does it say when it dies?

It may also be an issue with your hard drive, though it's not very likely. (Would give you other issues.)

Another step that I suggest is running a memory test and a hard drive test. (Google shall be your best friend.) It doesn't hurt to rule out the free and easy stuff.

If none of that helps the only other option I can think of is to start replacing pieces (borrowing other pieces simply to test with if you can) and fixing the culprit that way.

If his fan was that bogged down it's likely he may have ran into an issue with heating, which could have damaged something.
Ask him if his computer ever randomly shut down -- if it did, that's why.

My brother put together a desktop for my mom a while back and didn't keep heat displacement in mind. The computer constantly overheated and shut itself off. When I discovered the problem I took the side off and kept a small fan on it at all times, and I later got it moved into a water-cooled case with 4 fans. (Was free.)

Last but not least:
Whatever you do, don't take it to a computer repair shop, or to a "tech guy" that isn't a relative/close friend. If you do I can guarantee the price won't be pretty.
While it may not be as nice of a solution, doing what you're doing now is best. I'll personally do my best to help get the issue resolved.

 

Thank you all for the quick replies.

Whilst searching for the BIOS Battery I found that the CPU was scalding hot and that the sensor had gotten loose.
I reattached the sensor and let it cool down.

When it was back to room temperature I started the computer again and saw it spike to 78 degrees celcius within 15 seconds, then it automatically shut down.

Turns out my first instinct was right and something DID overheat.

Any quick fixes for this? The fan is completely clean (now) and fully functional.
The processor itself is an i7 (Exact model unknown)

 

Well, if the fan is fully working and it's a decent one then it should work fine. I would leave it an hour or so to leave it all cool down, and then start it back up again. Don't let it constantly overheat though, you might damage the Motherboard as well as the CPU if it keeps overheating, it doesn't do the PC any good at all.

 

I tried this, but like i said before, it spikes from room temperature back to a point where it automatically shuts down. this is generally between 60-80 degrees celcius.

 

Possibly bad psu, isnt supplying enough power?

 

Hmm, so the processor is STILL overheating? (That is your issue btw, it's automatically shutting itself off to prevent damage.)

 

Yeah I figured that out. I told him to replace the fan and that would probably sort the problem.

He had the fan replaced and it's functional again, thanks guys!