I'll be working...mostly...let's just say I'm using my PC, and then things (open windows, cursor arrow, etc) will blink and start flashing, and then things close and the computer shuts down/off all by itself. I'll restart the computer and it will boot back up. Sometimes I'll have no other issues, but sometimes, a few minutes later it will do the same thing....shuts off...I reboot... no warnings, nothing. Then it may be several days or more with no issues. I don't know if it matters or not, but when in "safe mode" I don't recall having this problem.

I've run a bunch of anti-virus, anti-mal/spyware, and other things just to see if anything comes up or can be cleaned out.

Microsoft Security Essentials (anti-virus)...run quick and full scans

Malwarebytes...full and quick scans

Spybot

CCleaner

I've opened up Windows Task Manager > Processes (and applications), but frankly I don't have a clue as to what I'm looking at/for if there is anything at all causing this. The only applications that may be showing at any given time would be Outlook and Internet Explorer. 🤔

Yes, the PC is 🌫 (3-4 years old...5?) It's a basic PC, nothing fancy. FWIW, for a while now, it takes some time to open files, and even when I close a window it's like it's closing in sssllllooowww motion...it's like I'm using an old 386/486 PC. Video/graphics card going out? Motherboard headed for the motherland? 😕

There's probably enough dust in the box for a mouse to make a nice home. 😂

enough dust to make a human..?? 😕

In my opion, if it works fine in safe mode its not a hardware problem. I make it a point to reinstall the operating system every 2 to 3 years. If you can, reformat the drive also. Windows become more and more unstable as time goes on. A fresh install should fix any issues. Most computers have a partician for recovery and may have an optionto do a full factory reset. Usually a the start up press F8, this will bring up a menue that will allow you to factory reset or even just reinstall the operating system only.

good luck

Joey

Fan turning or not, still could be- weak fan, thermal compound deteriorating, bad circulation (dust), etc.

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php 

When it shuts down feel if the heat sink on the CPU is hot, or if you know how to find it go into your BIOS and see what the CPU thermistor (temp sensor) is reading. The comfortable limit is different with every type of CPU, but it's pretty easy to find if you know what you've got.

On a side note the nice thing about overheating is that usually if you find the root of the problem and solve it the computer will be no worse for the wear. What's happens is the thermal protection circuit is activated and the computer shuts down to PREVENT any damage.

+1

I started not to come in, and this was the only reason why, you beat me to it, brother!

Otherwise it's simply different software, and you can get that to run on either system. I have an OS-X 10.8.2 virtual machine running on my laptop right now. I use it for web and iOS development.

Out of curiosity I did download it...but can't find it (other than the .exe file) on my PC to save my life. 🤦 I ran it, and it just wanted to load a bunch of other stuff (AOL toolbar, 7zip, etc). I declined most, other than the 7zip which it looked like I needed to open the file...not sure. I can't even find 7zip. Got through the d/l and it said "finished." ....and....I guess it was finished...doing something. 🤔

Sometimes when you might make a small movement the plug loses contact.

Check the power cord or just re-wire the whole house.

TIGER