Computer shuts down after two minutes

My computer shuts off during start up. Sometimes it will stay on for about 2 minutes, then shuts off, sometimes only 2 seconds. I have tried unplugging all the DVD drives and hard drives, and plugging them in one by one. But the same thing happens, 2 seconds or 2 minutes. Could it be the motherboard? My antivirus is up to date, but could it be a worm or something (I’m grabbing at straws here)? Any advise or suggestions would be great.

I have a 5 year old Gateway Performance 1300. I have added 512 MB RDRAM (for a total of 640MB). A secondary 80 GB Western Digital HD. A Sony DRU-500AX DVD/CD Rewritable Drive. A Sony DRU-540A DVD/CD Rewritable Drive. I also upgraded the power supply to a AG 480W 12V Intel P4 ATX Power Supply. I have worked this computer to death. I have “backed up” more than 300 DVD’s with it.

 

Hay is the cpu fan spinning it sounds like its a overheating problem.

 

when the system's cold, i.e. an hour+ of non-usage, turn it on and go into the BIOS and check the CPU temperature. Leave it, and see if it climbs. If it gets above 50C within a couple of minutes you have an overheating problem. If all temps are fine you could have a PSU problem.

 

wdowsing,
Yes, the fan is spinning.

ddp,
I didn't know that I could check the temp.

sammorris,
I will try checking the CPU temp thru the BIOS tonight, I will post the results tommorrow.

THANKS ALL!!!

 

How do I check the CPU temp in the BIOS?
BIOS Ver. GB85010A.15A.0017.P06

 

It should be in either a "CMOS features" menu or a "status" menu in your BIOS screen. If you can't find it, just look through all the menus, you won't do any harm as long as you don't change anything.

 

Thanks for the help. I just went out and bought a new computer. So now I have a lot of extra parts. If this one lasts as long and performs as well as the other one, I'll be happy.

Thanks again for the help

 

Wow, what a solution. Just buy a new one.. Ah wouldn't it be nice..

 

Well, running rambus the system must be quite old, but what of the money you spent upgrading the old one?

 

Well, like I said, extra parts.

 

I wish the hell Rambus would not have been so proprietary. Knocked themselves right out of business. The Samsung PC800(?) Rambus RAM that I have in my backup computer is far superior to the DDR RAM that I have in the computer in my signature.

 

But then again, DDR2 should start to reach it's speeds again soon.

 

I hope that it does. It is almost time to upgrade to a better computer.

 

Already lol. 5 years seemed an adequate replacement time for my first PC, this time round it'll be 2 1/2!
The exponential rate of change really is tough on peoples' wallets.