Constant Restarts

[Phlegatu]

I have a problem I'd really appreciate some help on. I'm having constant restarts, where my system will randomly reset itself with no apparent cause. It happens maybe once a day - sometimes, especially lately, it happens more often. Usually it happens while I'm doing something, but it can also happen when I leave my comp on overnight or during the day when I'm at work - I'll sometimes find that it's in the XP login screen when I get back to it, though this is relatively infrequent.

I reformatted my computer a while back for unrelated reasons (I posted about it on these forums earlier this week). I figured if the problem was software-related it would go away after that, but it hasn't. It's really annoying, and I want to get rid of it, and I think it may even be happening more often than it used to before the reformat.

I know it could probably be one of a thousand things, but I really need help narrowing it down before I can hope to fix it. Are there any diagnostic tools or whatever that can monitor my system up the the point where it restarts and provide clues as to what could cause it? Here's a few bits of information that might narrow it down just a little (or not):

- the machine doesn't warn me about overheated processors or anything when it reboots (I mention this because when my CPU fan was breaking down it would freeze or reset the system and then it would give me a temperature error on startup, and I know it isn't that this time)
- when it resets, Windows XP doesn't mention any problems, or offer Safe Mode or anything like that
- the machine seems otherwise in good working condition, with no viruses, spyware, and is defragged regularly, not even that many programs installed on it, big enough page file, etc

As I said I would really appreciate any help of any kind. Here is some info on my comp. If you need more info, please say so and I will be glad to provide.

AMD Athlon 2100+ processor
512MB ram
ATI Radeon 9600 128MB
Asus A7V333 mobo
Windows XP Home
3 Western Digital HDs, 200GB (WinNT), 80GB and 200GB, all NTFS

Have a good day.

 

[aquias]

First thing to check out...

1. Start Menu
2. Control Panel
3. Ensure you're in Classic View
4. Double click the System icon
5. Choose the Advanced tab
6. Under "Startup and Recovery" choose "Settings"
7. Under "System failure" uncheck "Automatically Restart".

This will disable the automatic reboots when you receive a BSoD. The next thing to do is to...

1. Start Menu
2. Run
3. Eventvwr.msc
4. Look for any system failures and either post them here or hit the links provided to get some additional information on them (or both!)

 

[bcastner]

Boot from the XP CD.
Hit R to enter Recovery Console.
Logon as Administrator.
chkdsk /r
exit

 

[garebo]

After that, you might suspect a ram module has gone bad. So you just run one stick at a time and run a ram tester prog on each one.
After that, it would be time to install a different power supply and see if thats the problem. Or, check the voltages on the existing power supply and see what they are registering. There are progs that you can google to do the ram check and the power supply check.


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[snoopy6129]

I know you mentioned its not a temperature issue, but try this anyways. Remove the side panel of the computer to expose the internal components and leave the computer on for a while. If it doesn't restart on you, then its likely the problem you are having is thermal related.

Also try checking the reset button on the front panel to make sure its not 'stuck.' The reset button on my doesn't toggle back when I press it making my reset button very sensitive to the touch. While you're at it, check the eletrical contacts of your power and reset switch to make sure nothing is in the way that may cause a short circuit.

Another possibility to your problem could be noisy electrical line condition. If you don't have one, get a reliable surge protector with built-in line conditioning (to provide a clean electrical signal to your computer) and see how that works.

What is the power rating of your computer power supply? Your the system configuration you've indicated, I would want a power supply with 400-Watt rating (or possibly a 300-watt power supply from a reliable manufacturer). Your constant restart issue could be due to your power supply being unable to provide necessary juice for your system config.

Finally, if possible, swap out your power supply with a know reliable one. It could be your power supply going bad.

Good luck.

-Pete