Windows Random Shut Downs - no error messages

Well mate we have got through a lot now and I have to say the finger could be pointing to that PSU as you say it is a cheap one and a dual 12v rail one at that. I did notice one of the 3.3v rails in the HW was a tad low but am not real sure what that voltage relates to.

Yes I guess a temp drop would only be in the range you state but all the same this is at idle what does it do on say a malware scan? I would be inclined to look at a decent cooler and think about that PSU .

Plus you said the RAM made a very strange beep a while ago could be the RAM is also not that good although you have done a memtest. Can you remember what the beep was actually like as in was it a double beep triple etc etc as you know there are set things for set beep codes.

Anyway run say a malware scan and watch the Core Temp as you do it.

Now I don't like saying it but all in all looks like the machine maybe getting near its use by date.

I have an old one a bit like yours I use (a Q9650 core with 4GB DDR2 that I had to replace the PSU on twice using ever larger output ones) for testing but would not rely on it for general use.

Maybe if the budget can stand it - time for a build mate??

Ok temps look ok to me and I just had another look at your first post and you said you ran some hard drive tests - am just wondering which ones you ran as most run the usual Seatools or the brand it is.

I use another one - this one it tests the actual surface of the spinner and to some extent the read / write heads ie the ability to contact the surface.
See my pic and try it if you want it does take some time though. Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition. (very handy tool for other stuff too) Am suggesting this because of the drive's age

Now on building I am really sorry you are stuck with this machine right now but you are right it is best (in my view) to build in a bit of overkill without going completely mad. When you are ready just drop a thread in here and you will instantly get advice from everyone it is a topic of great discussion:)

No problems Alan I shall be on night duty tonight so it works in quite well as that test does take some time:)
John

Hum Alan am back online and seems like the hardware although not perfect (as in new) I am beginning to run out of ideas as things have been cleaned reseated etc etc.

Just going back to the software side I am wondering if a run with this might eliminate some deeply embedded malware if nothing else.

USING THE KASPERSKY RESCUE DISK

Downloadthe software from here Download Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 and make a bootabledisk or USB stick. Set the BIOS to boot from either the optical drive or the USB stickwhichever you prefer I like the disk myself but the choice is yours.

Insertthe disk and then reboot and let the program run it will scan from the verystart of power on for malware that may be otherwise too well hidden.
Another scan that you could try is from here Emsisoft Free Emergency Kit: portable malware scanner | Free removal of Viruses,Bots, Spyware, Keyloggers and Trojans
I only usually run the Emergency Kit run and the Command Line scan..

If we come up with nothing then we might ask for some help if that is ok with you.

Yes mate I think you are right I was going to say something along the same lines but all the same I do dislike things beating me LOL!! and you do from time to time get some members being forever pedantic and it can be very annoying but you have been very patient and I must say it has been a pleasure working with you:)

Yes those scans are worth doing for the heck of it and don't take long and cannot do any harm anyway. Let me know how it goes.

John