A customer reports that their desktop PC restarts roughly 30 minutes after every cold boot, without displaying any errors. What is the BEST first troubleshooting step you should take?
Confirm that all cooling fans (CPU, GPU, and case) are spinning and unobstructed
Reseat each memory module and run a memory diagnostic
Perform a full antivirus scan to rule out malware
Use a power-supply tester or multimeter to verify PSU output voltages
Regular, time-based restarts commonly point to an overheating problem. Before buying parts, verify that the cooling system is working: confirm that the CPU, GPU, and chassis fans spin freely and that airflow is not obstructed. If the fans are working and temperatures are still high, you can continue with deeper diagnostics. Replacing the power supply, testing RAM, or scanning for malware are valid later steps but not the first action when heat is the most likely cause.
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What are the signs of overheating in a computer?
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How can I check if my cooling fans are functioning properly?
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What should I do if the cooling fans are functioning but the computer still restarts?