Mysteriously powers off

[GilbertsGrape]

this is my weekend for PC questions but i am getting alot accomplished

I have a E-machine (Aka E Suck) e-monster 500 and when using it the pc sometimes mysteriously turns it self off. Do you think this is a Bios problem or a software or hardware problem?
Thanks,
Gary

BTW: I turned off power management in Win Xp pro just on a hunch that may be the problem.

[OC]

Explain exactly how it shuts off. Does it go through the Windows shutdown procedure, or does it simply *BAM* shut off?

The more specific you are, the better we can help you.

-OC

[DoPeY5007]

heat can shut it down, it could be possable a fan died, and the case gets to hot, so the MB shuts it down

[GilbertsGrape]

it simply *BAM* shut off?

I will take the case off and check the fans and such in the morning.

sometimes it shuts off after 15 min other it may be on for 1-3 or 6 hours and somedays it will work just fine it is the strangest thing.

it usualy shuts off right in the middle of typing a documen, building a webpage or buying somthing on the web. u know just when you are in the middle of soemthing important and dont ahve it saved yet.

[Ladogaboy]

That happened to me once... it turned out to be a short in the system. You might want to check the wiring.

[SnowSurfer]

happened to me once or twice i had all my stuff going and the heat was too much so it flicked off