PC reboots when CPU reaches 100%

[spiffy]

Hi everyone,

I have a small form factor PC (FIC Ice Cube VL67 to be exact) that runs Prescott 3.0 Ghz and 1GB DDR400. The last few days it's starting to reboot itself when CPU usage is spiking to 100% and stays up there for a short period of time. (It only reaches 100% when starting up torrent apps for now; but I don't think it's specifically a software-related problem -- it probably will reboot whenver the CPU reaches 100%, regardless of the culprit.)

No problem with memory, as far as I can tell.

I am thinking there's a hardware issue somewhere, but I'm not sure how to troubleshoot. Could it be a mobo or power supply problem? I am actually thinking about gutting this PC, and move all the components onto a new mobo and a tower case. But not knowing exactly what the cause of the reboot is, I worry about this problem repeating itself in the new setup. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?

Thanks in advance,

Spiffy

[redwudz]

Are you monitoring CPU temp? That would be my first guess. Also in BIOS there may be a overtemp shutdown, or even one built into the CPU. Generally if it were a PS problem it would show up with other symptoms. But if you can check the voltages in BIOS, along with the temps, that would be helpful.

If you are getting high temperatures, check your CPU cooler mounting and the thermal grease. It may be making partial contact with the CPU. Temperatures can spike very quickly when the CPU starts to warm up. It can cause a quick shutdown and a reboot as it cools.

[JerryB]

Hi everyone,

I have a small form factor PC (FIC Ice Cube VL67 to be exact) that runs Prescott 3.0 Ghz and 1GB DDR400. The last few days it's starting to reboot itself when CPU usage is spiking to 100% and stays up there for a short period of time. (It only reaches 100% when starting up torrent apps for now; but I don't think it's specifically a software-related problem -- it probably will reboot whenver the CPU reaches 100%, regardless of the culprit.)

No problem with memory, as far as I can tell.

I am thinking there's a hardware issue somewhere, but I'm not sure how to troubleshoot. Could it be a mobo or power supply problem? I am actually thinking about gutting this PC, and move all the components onto a new mobo and a tower case. But not knowing exactly what the cause of the reboot is, I worry about this problem repeating itself in the new setup. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do?

Thanks in advance,

Spiffy

First. I wouldn't rule out software!! your issue coud be either software or hard ware....

An like redwodz mentioned... heat issues could be the problems and definitely I would take his advice......

but software can also cause reboots (conflicts)!! I see that as a issue on other boards.....
questions;
1. at the time this started any unusal event ie; crashes, installing new software or hardware, updates, etc???????
2. What are you doing at the time of the reboot? is there a particular program or sequence of actions your doing? when this occurrs.....
3. now you mentioned it spikes to 100% and stays there for a little bit... does your processes tab show which program is using that much???!!!! now you mentioned torrent not familair with that.... is that file sharing/peer to peer type program??
4. when your not doing anything... what are your low consistant reading it should be below 5%.... if not 0 or 1%
5. a coupleof things you can start off with.. to check to see if a difference...
a. use one of your windowsxp restore points that predates the problems and see if that takes care of it....
b. disable all needless programs that startup at windows boot.... not only will that increase performance and frees up ram but possibly yo eliminate a possible misbehaving program... and i assume you have run your antivirus and antispyware programs!

well anyway those are my thoughts....

[jagabo]

Open up your case and remove all the dust -- especially from the CPU heat sink. Make sure the CPU fan is still working. Also check the power supply and chassis fans.

[greymalkin]

I'll cast my vote for heat as well, the harder your cpu is working the hotter it's getting.

If your cooling setup is adequate it should be able to stay at 100% (like for instance if you're doing a big video encode) for as long as you need it to.

[normcar]

Be very careful about heat build up, it could ruin not only your cpu, but also your motherboard. There are temp monitering software you can get on cnet.com or other freeware download sites.

You could also look at the System settings in your system BIOS setup (hit del or F8 or some other key when your system is starting up). It should say at what temp your CPU will be throttled back to prevent overheating, this throttling back could make your system unstable. I would not allow it to get above about 130 F, as you could damage your CPU or motherboard. If you are using the heatsink and fan which came with your CPU or system, you should replace it with better parts (about 35-$45) if you are going to run your cpu at 100% for any length of time. The original heatsink and fan were not really intended for cooling a cpu running at 100% for extended length of time, which happens during video processing or other cpu intensive projects.

Also ensure that you use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of your fans, and input and exhaust ports of your case every few weeks.

[greymalkin]

if you want to go the extra mile you can get intake fans with filters on them. A friend of mine uses them and he brought his pc over the other day. The inside of that pc was SPOTLESS!

We couldn't believe it wasn't brand new.
It beats having to clean in all the little fins and fan blades.

On a side note, I've seen many computers overheat/fail because people smoked at or around them...instead of just a dusty buildup it becomes this filthy tar that sticks to moving parts. I had to replace almost an entire computer once because of heat damaged caused by tar in the pc.

if you aren't properly exhausting the hot air out it just builds and builds until everything inside your pc case is at risk..it can cause premature hard drive/motherboard/you name it...failure.