Faulty heatsink causing computer shut down within seconds of starting?

[sdraza1]

Can faulty heatsink cause computer to shut down within seconds of starting?

 

[strollin]

I'm not sure how you can have a faulty heatsink since it's essentially just a chunk of aluminum with fins. However, if it is not installed properly then yes, it could cause the problem you are seeing. The problem could be too much thermal grease or that the heatsink is not seated correctly. These kinds of problems can cause the CPU to overheat and shutdown.

 

[TypeR]

As above, yes it can.

If your CPU temp increases very quickly and hits the limit set in the BIOS or, indeed, if your CPU fan fails, then your heat sink won't be working properly and the computer will shut down to prevent permanent hardware damage.

 

[FliGi7]

Maybe it would be easier to describe the exact problem you're having and how/when it all started, along with anything recently installed or uninstalled, so we can get a better idea of whether or not that might be the issue.