100-140 Question 109
Single answerA user reports that their desktop computer is randomly shutting down without any warning. Upon investigation, you notice the computer feels unusually hot to the touch. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
- A
The power supply unit (PSU) is failing.
- B
The CPU is overheating due to a malfunctioning cooling system.
- C
The hard drive is corrupted and causing system instability.
- D
The operating system has a software bug leading to shutdowns.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The computer feeling unusually hot to the touch and the random shutdowns strongly indicate an overheating issue. Overheating is commonly caused by a malfunctioning cooling system, such as a broken fan, clogged vents, or insufficient thermal paste on the CPU. Addressing the cooling system is the most appropriate resolution in this scenario.
- A. Incorrect.
While a failing PSU can cause random shutdowns, it would not directly result in the computer feeling unusually hot to the touch. This suggests a temperature issue rather than a power issue.
- B. Correct.
A malfunctioning cooling system, such as a broken fan or insufficient thermal paste, can lead to the CPU overheating. Overheating is a common cause of random shutdowns and aligns with the symptoms described.
- C. Incorrect.
A corrupted hard drive would typically result in data access issues, errors, or system crashes, but it would not cause the computer to feel hot or shut down due to heat.
- D. Incorrect.
A software bug in the operating system could cause random shutdowns, but it would not explain the heat issue. The heat suggests a hardware-related problem, particularly with cooling.