Tag Archives: PC crash

Computer only crashes at the back of the house

Computer Aid Posted on by

Here is one of the most unusual problems I’ve not seen (the whole thing is an email exchange):

We have a computer which repeatedly crashes on boot up or boots up, works for about 10 min max, then crashes in any room across the back of our house.

It works fine at a friend’s house, at the computer repair place OR EVEN IN ANOTHER ROOM AT THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.

The rooms across the back of the house are on 3 different circuits, and we have even run it on an extension cord from what we thought was a faulty power point in the room where it crashes.

Had the circuitry checked by two different electricians. Both claim the power is sound.

We have been told radiation could be doing it, but can’t find anyone to check (It would also be dangerous to us). None of neighbours are having trouble. Do you think you can help ? Or is it just the aliens ?

Charles

Hello Charles,

How unusual!

Have you tried a different computer across the back? Maybe even a laptop? (I ask about a laptop, as it has a battery that should shield it from power spikes).

Do the crashes happen at any time of the day or night?

Does the computer have broadband internet access at both the front and back of the house?

I’m not sure I can help, but given what you’ve told me there are a few possibilities:

– temperature (is it hotter/colder at the back of the house?)

– infection (computer only crashes when connected to your interet modem)

– practical joke (a neighbor might have rigged your pc, so he/she can deliberately crash the pc… but they can only see you when you are at the back of the house)…

Best regards,
Luigi

We have tried a friend’s laptop. It doesn’t crash.
Another desktop in the same room also crashes, less frequently – it is brand new.
The crashes occur at any time, even the early hours of the morning.
It has broadband internet (cable with wireless router) at both locations.
Temperature is about the same in both rooms. The computer reports no viruses, malware or spyware – numerous scans.
I doubt if any of my friends would have the computing expertise to crash a remote computer – apart from that I don’t think we can be seen by anyone.
I am still looking at the radio tower about 500 metres away and wonder. When we moved the computer into direct line of site, it crashed immediately, and continued to crash on boot up.
Thanks for your suggestions. Greatly appreciated. By the way, my delay in replying was because I was trialling an UPS, but it didn’t help.
Thanks again,
Charles

I wouldn’t have thought a radio tower can cause such strange problems. I guess its possible.

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