Computer restarting for no reason

[tenders]

i have not read of anyone mentioning a virus perhaps a new one

[mgh]

The SMPS(Switched Mode Power Supply-the power unit within your PC) can be checked by a service technician and if needed replaced.
99 % of the time problem like yours is caused by the SMPS as per my service guy.

[Will Hay]

Bit of a development here guys:

Computer restarted three times in five minutes tonight, reason?
Get this:
It instantly reset after I doubled clicked something.
First I double clicked the 'my computer' icon on the desktop = instant reset
Then I double clicked PowerDVD = instant reset
Then I opened Windows Explorer and just click a second HDD = instant reset.
Does this help anyone identify my problem anymore?
I don't think it's the PSU, and I can't et hold of an another processor to test.
I may be able to get some memory.
Anyone any thoughts on the double-clicking shit that's going on?
Thanks,
Will

[deadeyedickx]

I had a similer problem befor on my last motherboard and it turned out to be my memory getting hot and then the random reboot. Just added a fan to cool the memory and the reboot went away. Worth a try.

[gmatov]

Will,
Just because I'm cantankerous, I'd uninstall all the .net stuff. Piss on 'em. They don't need all that detail about me.
Have you tried a simple re-install? You have troubles that, to me, do not sound hardware related. Sounds more like OS glitches. Or drivers.

[Will Hay]

Yeah, I removed .net when I started with my problems.
Odd thing is, this problem only started around the time I replaced my dvd-rom drive so it hasn't had any extra hardware.
The only additional thing I installed is a case fan so it has better cooling now than it has ever had!

To the guy who suggested taking off the case, it's been off a week now and still as bad



Good job I have the ability to use the net at work and have a laptop otherwise you'd never hear from me here (and yes, I can hear you saying what a crying shame that would be )
Will

[gmatov]

Will,
Yeah, that'd be a crying shame, not to hear your probs. Hey, who you gonna call, Ghostbusters?.
Anyhow, did you try a re-install?
What does it mean, "around the time I replaced my DVD-ROM drive"? Itwas alright until then, not alright after? That would suggest a disconnect of the DVD-ROM, to see if it ran right. If not, punt. (That's a US term, so maybe over your head; sorry.)
Anyhow, disconnect stuff, get down to basics, see if you can get it to run .
Reconnect one piece at a time. You get a hiccup, look into it.

[Will Hay]

Anyhow, did you try a re-install?

Nah, it's only 45 mins since your suggestion, I haven't had time yet
As soon as my 16 month old son gives me a minute I'll do some investigating!
Will

[gmatov]

Will,
Yeah, I guess it's 10:30 AM at your house. Younkers can take up some time.
Did I send you a pic of my, now over a month old, grandson? Jeez, if I'd known grandkids were so much fun, I'da had them first.. My kids were a lot of fun, raising up, also. Hell, even at my age, I wouldn't mind bringing up another or two.

[RoopeT]

Easiest way to test if it's hardware related of OS related is to download a bootable linux CD image (If you can download and burn to CD somewhere, I use Knoppix Live). Boot Linux straight from CD (no modifications needed for your HD's) and see if it runs OK. If it does, you'll know your problems are Windows-related.

I doubt your problems could be temperature related, if the computer restarts right after windows has loaded. Still, you could go to BIOS setup right after powered up and check your temperatures (and see if it reboots even from BIOS).

A GOOD 300 W PSU should be enough for your system (I have same kind of system with A-open 300W Fortron based PSU). However, a bad 550W PSU might not be enough for your system. Try if you can run your system with just 1 HD and no optical drives. if you can, then the PSU is your problem.

If you still get reboots after unplugging extra drives, try removing PCI cards to see if it's a hardware conflict (I had sort of similar problems with SB live + MSI K7A Pro 2 MB + Win98SE).

[freak_in_cage_10k]

hmmmmm, the fact that the reboots are random suggests ram to me- as the writing to the ram is random order- this would explain why it sometimes doesnl;t happen for ages, as you have 512 megs of the stuff parts may not get used for some time.

also, it cant be a virus because you said the pc sometimes reoots vv soon after u switch it on- this early on a virus wouldn;t be able 2 have an effect on the pc.

[gmatov]

Actually, Random Access means you can access the RAM directly, instead of going from Byte 1 thru 512 million.

Programs write to 64KB "pages", which is why you get "Page Access Faults", when a program tries to write to a page that is in use by another program.

And, there are "Boot Sector" virii. (Viruses) But Will's machine is past that. He gets to his Desktop, and a double-click causes a re-boot. A virus is still possible, but I can't find one that causes this problem. Maybe I haven't looked enough.

Can you start the machine in Safe Mode? MS says, in the Boot Disk text files, that pressing "Control" will do it. Most of my machines use F2, F8, or F9. I've never used Control, will have to try it.

If you can start in Safe Mode, does it still re-set?

Try reseating your RAM, or moving it to the othet slot. One of my machines will only read from 1 of the 3 slots on it. I think I've in and outed too many RAM sticks in it.

Again, as stated above, disconnect all the drives but your C:\, and all the cards but the Video. If it works, install 1 by 1 to see what is the booger in the box.

Hope you fix it.

[Will Hay]

I'm away this weekend but I'll test early next week and report back ~ bloody thing didn't reset at all last night
Will

[Will Hay]

One last thing before I drive my wife and son into the Yorkshire Dales (Amercian Werewolf In London country for our US friends!).....

........I think my CMOs battery needs changing, it keeps giving me the wrong time no matter how many times I change the clock.
Could that be anything to do with it?
It's been like that for a while now though, much longer than the time the computer has been resetting.
Will

[freak_in_cage_10k]

i dunno m8- i guess its worth a try!!! i wouldn't bother buying a new battery though m8, try get 1 second hand from a small pc buyer, he will prob just take it out of an old MB m8

[gmatov]

New battery, most likely CR2032, is only a couple bucks, and will go 3 or 4 tears. No sense getting a used one.

[Ducatti20]

Try reseating your RAM, or moving it to the othet slot. One of my machines will only read from 1 of the 3 slots on it. I think I've in and outed too many RAM sticks in it.

Second the ram check, have been down for a week troublshooting my PC, Video card would crash randomly... moved my 2 sticks from one slot to another and good to go... How old is the PSU? You mentioned that you installed a dvd reader recently?? I have seen power supplies work for a month after an upgrade and then break down due to higher load. I personally do not build a system with less than a 450 watt PSU (Antec is my favorite, but pricey).
Reloading windows may give you more headaches, even if you just install on top of exisiting copy, XP will "lose" all you're installed programs shortcuts in the start menu. They will still be accessible on the hard drive, but you'll have to set up the links again. Have an extra hard drive laying around? I keep an old 8 gig in a box in my closet, load XP up on old drive and test for reset.

[gmatov]

Ducatti,
I don't think a real re-install will lose all your progs, setting, shortcuts, etc. Windows quit doing that at least with the 98SE version. However, if all you have is a Restore Disk, from a major maker, it does wipe out all your progs, and revert to factory setup, installing those you may have un-installed. New machine basically. If you have the actual OS disk, will re-install and keep settings.
He said he replaced his DVD-ROM, not added another, so the load should be very close to the old load.
One other thing, if you did put in another device, check the seating of ALL the cables. I have had it occur that, installing a device, another would not work. Pulling the EIDE connectors from the MOBO and reseating them has always worked. I don't know why, but my mitts seem to be too big to work inside the box without disturbing something. And, then, oxide films do build up, and, pulling them off, plugging them back in, seems to fix any continuity problems. Had it happen a couple hours ago when a Win2k install couldn't find the CD-ROMs, said I removed them without telling the System I was doing so, and offering to put a shortcut in the systray.

I am editing this with a question. Does this mean that Win2k will allow me to hotswap devices?

[binks120]

hey will benn away for the week but got back and guess what ive restarted again lol i think ill just burn this pc
so in short the memory swap core voltage didnt work either
hmm ive got some coolers for my memery sticks(heatsinks) so ill give them a go now
also im returning my system to standard ie no overclock but this isnt the cause as it started b4 i upped the fsb
ps my clock is also 1 hour forward all the time wierd i cant adjust it right

[Will Hay]

Hey guys!
Okay, first of all....
....thanks to all that replied and offered assistance.
Second of all, consider I didn't have to post this, but I've been suitably touched by all the replies both in this thread and this one here too to let you all know the outcome.

Right, here goes....

....I borrowed a stick of 256 PC133 SDRam from work and took out my existing 512mb. I took the shortcut and tried to fit the 256mb whilst the machine was vertical, but couldn't so removed all the cables and sat the machine on it's side.
Now, what I should say is my machine has four memory slots (two for SDRAM and two for DDRAM) although you can only use one type of memory at the same time.
That's when I noticed.....
.....I had installed the SDRAM in the DDRAM slot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now I think about it a pal asked me to check one of his strips a few months ago and I bet I didn't re-install mine correctly at that time.
As you'll see from the posts here my machine has been suffering random resets for at least three months now, and I reckon this is why
I'd expect at least one reset per evening, probably two or three would be more likley and if I use the machine through the day probably more.
So far tonight, having installed the 512mb in the correct slot, I've suffered no resets whatsoever.
Wild or what?
Oh, and yes, I'm an arsehole, I know
Will

[gmatov]

Will,

I hate to say I think you made a mistake when you went to "swap out" your RAM.

You must have had it in the right slot, but probably reseated it this last time to make it work, knock wood it IS still working.

The modules are the same length overall, but SDRAM is keyed at the center, 2 5/8 inches from each end,and a second key, inconsequential here, as it wouldn't have an interfering key in DDR slot.

Those 2 keys are how you are forced to install in the proper direction.

DDR has 1 key, but it is off center, approx 2 7/8 and 2 3/8 from the ends. That's how you get its orientation to be foolproof.

Mechanically, it is impossible to interchange them.

Electrically, SD is 168 pin, DDR, 184 pin, same length board, 8 more "pins" per side, different pitch, so there is no possibility that you would have electrical contact on all pins, and some of the pins would have been shorting contacts the farther toward the end as you go due to the pitch being closer on the socket than the module. Rather like studding a wall on 15 inch centers and using 48 inch sheathing.

You would have, in fact, been trying to boot with not only NO RAM, but shorted traces on the memory buss. A computer won't boot at all without RAM installed. Be thankful you got no sparks flying.

Yours did boot but randomly reset, can be a memory problem, had it myself last night, swapped a stick of 512 out of the one machine, my 2000XP, to another, my new 2400XP, won't boot that machine at all, and now won't work in the first machine either. Down to 512 in one, only 384 in the main mach.

One last hope is it works in the Gigabyte board in the daughter's machine, didn't intend to give her that much, but forget where I bought it, unless I have the slip, can't return it.

Ought to send you a print of the house my kid's are going to have built, get the "Quantities surveyed". That is your job, no, costing out a structure and seeing that the right materials are ordered? Interesting work, but I imagine it could become tiresome after half your life at it. ( This is in ref to "Where do you work" thread.)

Cheers,

George

[lordsmurf]

Learn the BIOS and learn it well. I made mistakes in my 2nd system when I got it, and it operated poorly for months because I had incorrect jumpers on the mobo and BIOS settings could have been better.

The mobo book was useless, I had to research on my own.

Luckily nothing fried.

But now, having altered the BIOS (mostly RAM settings) and topping off finally to 512 DDR, it runs better.

It used to have oddball errors like random restarts and failed shutdowns. Dropped frames too if not CBR capturing.

[Will Hay]

I hear you George and sure you know more than me about these things but I don't think so.
I can't comment on the mechanics of your point but what I do know is I shone a torch in the machine before I swapped anything out and the memory was in one of the blue slots.
I stripped out the external cables (power lead, mouse etc) layed the box on the bed and the SDRam mem slots are black, so I re-sited it in there.
So, go figure!
Crazy huh?
What you're saying makes complete sense but I can only tell what I say.
Hell, maybe I shouldn't have drunk that one bottle of budweiser (or piss, where you come from ) before I swapped it out.
Maybe you can't use SDRam in a DDRRam slot but you can the other way, hell, I dunno.
I don't care, I turned it on and off four times this morning and guess what?
No resets.
So, that's none all yesterday evening and none so far today.
I guess the real test is by the weekend yes?
Oh, and the QS job?
Sure, like anything it gets tiresome, but I have one already and another due in March (as yo uknow) so go find me something that pays me my current salary without the 16 years experience I have in Construction.
There's the dilema George.
Will

[gmatov]

Will,

Happy it works, whatever the reason. Maybe the last bottle of Bud, but wouldn't bet on it. How CAN you drink that stuff in or near Europe, where you are supposed to have a plethora of fine beers?
Ah, well, to each his own, as the lady said as she kissed the cow's behind.

Not for a second did I advise that you leave your job. I just said that ALL jobs eventually get boring.

A brain surgeon looks inside a head, all brains look alike. A heart surgeon looks inside a chest, what's the diff in hearts? A clogged artery or two.

A gynecologist looks at, well, you know what they look at, but I'd bet they get tired of looking at them.

So, what do you look at in a structure? Perimeter for studding, footage, span, etc., You can do it in your sleep, hell, you probably do, some nights.

In my current job, hopefully my last, as I will reach retirement age in 3 years, 'course I'll be too g'damned old to DO the job by then, everything is boring. They could teach a monkey, a STRONG monkey, to do the same thing. Not thatI'm that strong, but you do learn a little finesse,else you wrassle 12 to 15 cwt into place.

Gotta cost out this house for the kids. Probably do the Generel Contractor thing for them. Helps that I have built a few besides my own. Mine I did all by myself, less the plaster. The ones I built, I had sheetrock hangers, drywall finishers do their thing..

Never do it all myself, again.

Cheers,

george

[Will Hay]

The computer reset tonight, without warning
Althugh it's only done it once in 24 hours when normally it would have done it at least three or four (and I've ben testing it morning noon and night).
Can't be just a co-incidence.
I'll swap out the mem and try this stick of 256mb PC133.
Will

[mujahid7ia]

out of morbid curiosity, will, u wouldnt happen to have TrendMicro PC Cillin installed on the PC would you? it gave me a similar prob...

disregard post if its stupid cuz i dont understand half the things u guys are talkin about =)

[stiltman]

The computer reset tonight, without warning
Althugh it's only done it once in 24 hours when normally it would have done it at least three or four (and I've ben testing it morning noon and night).
Can't be just a co-incidence.
I'll swap out the mem and try this stick of 256mb PC133.
Will

Sound like a heat problem to me

[binks120]

will it could be the sdram slots that are the problem if you like i have some ddr 2100 (1x 256 1x 128) that you can try or even i have a spare mobo (soltek 75drv4) you can try as i have just upgraded to a nf7s with 256 3200 corsair (v expensive ram) and in a week i will have a spare 1700xp(palomino) chip as im putting in a 1800xp thourobred
so just pm me
ps i got my second quote for ext still too expensive having to scale down

[Will Hay]

will it could be the sdram slots that are the problem if you like i have some ddr 2100 (1x 256 1x 128) that you can try or even i have a spare mobo (soltek 75drv4) you can try as i have just upgraded to a nf7s with 256 3200 corsair (v expensive ram) and in a week i will have a spare 1700xp(palomino) chip as im putting in a 1800xp thourobred
so just pm me
ps i got my second quote for ext still too expensive having to scale down

Thanks man, appreciate that.
Love the signature
Will

[binks120]

will howz it gettin on