This has happened about 2 times in the last month. My computer will shut down monitor and all... a little yellow light will start flashing... the on/off button on the moniter, also on the computer the yellow light will flash. I can't turn it back on until I turn the power strip off and wait a few minutes and turn it back on. Then when I turn it on and it goes through set up... it makes a crazy noise like it is stalling and I hit a key, any key and it starts up. Then a green light is on, the keyboard, moniter and computer. Btw it is a dell dimension E310. Bought new 3 years in February.. but who nows when it was built. I know my wording is terrible... sorry . Thanks in advance for the advice.

Sounds like maybe an intermiddent power problem? Then a Low Power shutdown.
Do you have an indicator that verifies External power hooked up.
This Laptop has no external power indicator. It does light up yellow, If external power is disconnected.

Not sure what you mean... but when my computer turns off... my fax machine and printer still work.

My mistake, I was thinking Laptop. What does your Yellow indicator indicate?

The yellow indicator light only comes on when the computer and moniter suddenly shuts down. When I turn off the power strip off wait a few minutes, then the yellow light is still flashing, I press the button and the computer comes back on to the set up screen.

Have someone check the PSU (Power Supply Unit) as it sounds like it is going out. If the unit has been dropped there might be a loose connection.

No it hasn't been dropped. But we did remove a wall section in the room it is in... it got really dirty from all of the dust... so I'm wondering. I believe this is when it started.

Remove the cover off the CPU unit, and use a can of compressed air to blow off all the dust and debri from within. See if this works, but if not then get the PSU checked before you continue to have problems.

Maybe reseat any boards and connections.

Start... I'm dumb... reseat boards.. what does this mean. Maybe I should just take it in to a shop.

Sometimes boards or connections get loose from different reasons.
With power off. Push on all connectors, boards, any connection within the computer.
That has solved many problems.

Some computers have an internal battery that needs changing once in a while. These have been known to interfere with computer start ups and often a monitor won't work without a new battery.

This has happened about 2 times in the last month. My computer will shut down monitor and all...a little yellow light will start flashing.... the on/off button on the moniter, also on the computer the yellow light will flash. I can't turn it back on until I turn the power strip off and wait a few minutes and turn it back on. Then when I turn it on and it goes thru set up...it makes a crazy noise like it is stalling and I hit a key, any key and it starts up. Then a green light is on, the keyboard, moniter and computer. Btw it is a dell dimension E310. Bought new 3 years in Feburary..but who nows when it was built. I know my wording is terrible...sorry . Thanks in advance for the advice.
I had a similar problem with a PC that was on my tool box at work (dirty auto shop) Eventually it was so bad that the power supply would only work for a few minutes. I replace the power supply and cleaned the interior of the PC tower. It looks like I bought some more time with this old unit!
Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh it's a dirt problem you're computer is almost one (1) year already its very recommended that the cpu must all around within one(1) month 1-2 times that's why your computer is shutting down by its own because the ic or integrated circuit was flow with dust just clean it if you can if not just call for computer technician near you or you knowing someone

By the way I am from Philippines I am a (ict) or information communication technology I have 'd also study the computer technician??