Computer reboots immediately on capture - help please

[jdlabelle]

I have a very reproducable problem that I'd very much appreciate help with. I'm using a new Canon ZR60 camera and when I try to capture video using "any" standard authoring software, the computer spontaneously reboots. It reboots as soon as the preview screen comes on and/or when I click "capture".

I've tried different authoring software (Ulead-demo, Pinnacle8-demo, Moviemaker-full, Roxio Videowave Movie Creator-full) and it always does the same thing...reboots immedately after capture begins. I almost always see 1 second of the video in the preview screen, then poof.

Now funny, but a couple of weeks ago, I was able to capture video in DV-AVI format using Windows Movie Maker WMM (1?), but due to the limits of the software, wanted to get a more full featured program, and now WMM2 doesn't work either.

Things I've tried: Re-seating the capture card, disabling Norton Antivirus, closing all running apps in the taskbar. I'm considering refreshing WinXP, but don't have high hopes with that.

Any help is appreciated. I'll PAYPAL for a suggestion that fixes this spontaneous rebooting upon capture problem
.
Thanks,
Jeff

[LanEvo7]

What are your computer's specs? Sounds like a hardware problem.

[CogoSWSDS]

I've had this exact problem with a video board I used to have. Mine was caused by an interrupt conflict - my video board wouldn't play well with the USB controller. To fix, I set up a second hardware profile and named it "Video Capture." In this hardware profile I disabled all the hardware except for the monitor, video board, VGA adapter, mouse, keyboard, disk drives, and sound card. Then all I had to do was boot and select the profile I wanted - Original Configuration for everything but video capture, and "Video Capture" when I wanted to capture. Voila, problem solved.

CogoSWSDS

[Popee]

I recently had a similar problem. It was a memory problem. Pulled out my memory modules and reinserted them one by one (I have 3 for a total of 1GB). My problem went away immediately. Funny part is that I ended up with all the same memory, but in different slots. (We are dealing with PC's here, remember). Now my PC is completely stable. Go figure??

Ron

[Bob W]

Yes I agree it could be a hardware conflict or a memory problem. I would disable first my sound-card in device manager to see if thats it as sound-cards seem to have more conflicts IMO. Also re-seat the memory sometimes helps.

[Redd]

Are you turning off all *running in the background* programs before starting your capture? It could be a hardware conflict or a insufficient power problem. What is your computer configuration? What wattage is your power supply? What OS are you running?

[jdlabelle]

Computer specs are in my "computer details" and here...

Operating System: WinXP
CPU Speed: Athlon 1800+
Harddrive space: 40GB WD, 20GB IBM
RAM Memory: 512MB PC100
Video Card: Nvidia Geforce3 200
Capture Card: 5 USB, 2 Firewire card
Motherboard: Giga-Byte GA-7VTXE
CD-ROM: Asus 52x
DVD-ROM:
CD Writer: Mad Dog 52x
DVD Writer:
Standalone DVD Player:
Other: Audigy sound card, 6 Pin to 4 Pin Firewire Cable - 6 Ft (CLEAR)

[LanEvo7]

hwo many watts is your psu?

[jdlabelle]

Appreciate the replys.

My psu is 250w.

I tried the advice of disabling the audigy, but didn't fix it. I'm not sure about rearranging my rams though.

CogoSWSDS mentioned an "interupt conflict". Is there a way I can check this?

Should I try reinstalling WinXP? I'm just at a loss why capturing would not just result in some error screen or message, and as to why I am getting such catastrophic results.

Jeff

[LanEvo7]

Its probably your power supply. AMD recommends at least 300w and with all the components your running, its a lot for it to handle. Try replacing it with a good quality 400w+ PSU.

[Redd]

LanEvo7 is correct. The most probable cause appears to be your PSU. If you go to a computer repair/builder shop, they will probably tell you it's not the PSU and that 400 watt + PSU's are for servers. Well there right, they are for servers. Don't let them talk you out of it. I had a 350 watt PSU that was insufficiant. I'm now using a 450 watt PSU. Best thing since sliced bread.

[jdlabelle]

Awesome. Thanks so much, everyone, for your help. I'll upgrade the PSU. Now, when I think of it, it makes sense that the rebooting is likely due to a lack of sufficient power.

Jeff

[jdlabelle]

Well, here's the conclusion...I bought a new power supply (500W max) and it STILL rebooted upon attempted capture.

Turns out that it was the firewire port on my card. I bought a new card, and now computer is capturing just fine.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Jeff

[DrWafer]

do something else for future problems..

on my computer click properties then advanced,on startup and recovery
press the setings tab and at system failure uncheck automatically restart
button.

so next time there is a problem on your pc instead of restart you will get
a blue screen wich will inform you about the problem your pc is facing.
with an error code ofcourse wich you can use to get an idea for what causes the problem.

[jdlabelle]

Thanks DrWafer. Done.

[K2]

Oh yes, the restart loop.

Honestly doubt its a power supply. Power consumption does not typically go up much when the card is in use verses just plugged in.

It is hardware or software initializing hardware.

With my capture card if I turn off a certain setting, it will start a restart loop. The software is setting the hardware to a setting that conflicts. I remove the driver in safemode then reinstall drivers. OR reinstall OS.
And never touch that setting again. OK so the software was not made for the hardware, still works well.