Machine unexpectedly loses power (reboots)

[Andrew Connell]

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

If this isn't the appropriate group, would someone please advise where
to post?

 

[John Dingley]

What ATX power supply does it have. It should be at least 300W.

Also as you have rebuilt check all RAM and cards are properly seated in
their slots.

Some new motherboards come with outdated bios that may have problems. Check
for new bios release.

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

Could be inadequate PSU (you really need a decent 300w PSU these days ..
more is OK too), or it could be problems with memory, drivers, or even
motherboard/CPU (not very likely).

First of all turn off 'restart after failure' in my computer,
properties, advanced, startup & recovery, which will eliminate the
possibility that some crash is what is causing the reboot. Then try
running
www.memtest86.com (memory tester) from floppy disk over night. You might
also want to try a www.mersenne.org (Prime95 - download and install)
'torture test', which'll wind things up to pretty hot. Oh, and if you
don't have an equivalent utility, download 'Motherboard Monitor 5'
(google for it, but I think it's www.livewiredev.com?) which can log the
temperatures and voltages (to a file) while your machine is running (or
crashing).

Come back if none of that helps.

fwiw power consumption does vary (quite a lot) with activity .. Prime95
used to be able to take some laptops (which are not designed for
continuous flat-out activity) into near meltdown - these days most of
them just slow down their clock speeds.

 

[Andrew Connell]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll run the mem tester and check on my current power
supply. I'm on the road and will be back home to run this stuff over the
weekend... regardless of the outcome, I'll post what the resolution was.

-AC

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

Could be inadequate PSU (you really need a decent 300w PSU these days ..
more is OK too), or it could be problems with memory, drivers, or even
motherboard/CPU (not very likely).

First of all turn off 'restart after failure' in my computer,
properties, advanced, startup & recovery, which will eliminate the
possibility that some crash is what is causing the reboot. Then try
running
www.memtest86.com (memory tester) from floppy disk over night. You might
also want to try a www.mersenne.org (Prime95 - download and install)
'torture test', which'll wind things up to pretty hot. Oh, and if you
don't have an equivalent utility, download 'Motherboard Monitor 5'
(google for it, but I think it's www.livewiredev.com?) which can log the
temperatures and voltages (to a file) while your machine is running (or
crashing).

Come back if none of that helps.

fwiw power consumption does vary (quite a lot) with activity .. Prime95
used to be able to take some laptops (which are not designed for
continuous flat-out activity) into near meltdown - these days most of
them just slow down their clock speeds.

 

[Boris]

Time to upgrade. 400w power supply, and 1gig RAM will fix your problem.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll run the mem tester and check on my current power
supply. I'm on the road and will be back home to run this stuff over the
weekend... regardless of the outcome, I'll post what the resolution was.

-AC

Bitstring <[email protected]>, from the

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

Could be inadequate PSU (you really need a decent 300w PSU these days ..
more is OK too), or it could be problems with memory, drivers, or even
motherboard/CPU (not very likely).

First of all turn off 'restart after failure' in my computer,
properties, advanced, startup & recovery, which will eliminate the
possibility that some crash is what is causing the reboot. Then try
running
www.memtest86.com (memory tester) from floppy disk over night. You might
also want to try a www.mersenne.org (Prime95 - download and install)
'torture test', which'll wind things up to pretty hot. Oh, and if you
don't have an equivalent utility, download 'Motherboard Monitor 5'
(google for it, but I think it's www.livewiredev.com?) which can log the
temperatures and voltages (to a file) while your machine is running (or
crashing).

Come back if none of that helps.

fwiw power consumption does vary (quite a lot) with activity .. Prime95
used to be able to take some laptops (which are not designed for
continuous flat-out activity) into near meltdown - these days most of
them just slow down their clock speeds.

 

[Andrew Connell]

Ran the mem tester (for 15 hours!) and had zero problems.
I also disabled the "restart on fail" option.
Bought a 400w power supply and plan to install later today.
Downloaded latest BIOS and will check to see which one I have.

Just got a blue screen error though and thought it may be my problem. The
error was something about "MPFirewall". I am using McAfee Personal
Firewall, but didn't know if this is something different. I'll post the
result of the BIOS and power supply updates later. Next time the blue
screen error occurs, I'll get the details of the error.

-AC

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

Could be inadequate PSU (you really need a decent 300w PSU these days ..
more is OK too), or it could be problems with memory, drivers, or even
motherboard/CPU (not very likely).

First of all turn off 'restart after failure' in my computer,
properties, advanced, startup & recovery, which will eliminate the
possibility that some crash is what is causing the reboot. Then try
running
www.memtest86.com (memory tester) from floppy disk over night. You might
also want to try a www.mersenne.org (Prime95 - download and install)
'torture test', which'll wind things up to pretty hot. Oh, and if you
don't have an equivalent utility, download 'Motherboard Monitor 5'
(google for it, but I think it's www.livewiredev.com?) which can log the
temperatures and voltages (to a file) while your machine is running (or
crashing).

Come back if none of that helps.

fwiw power consumption does vary (quite a lot) with activity .. Prime95
used to be able to take some laptops (which are not designed for
continuous flat-out activity) into near meltdown - these days most of
them just slow down their clock speeds.

 

[Andrew Connell]

Ran the mem tester (for 15 hours!) and had zero problems.
I also disabled the "restart on fail" option.
Installed 400w PowerSupply & I have the latest BIOS.

Just got a blue screen error though and thought it may be my problem. The
error was something about "MPFirewall". I am using McAfee Personal
Firewall, but didn't know if this is something different.

-AC

I know this may be the wrong group, but I'm just not sure where to
post it. I recently updated my machine (P3->P4, new motherboard, new
RAM [512 SDRAM -> 1GB DDR] new AGP video card) and completely rebuilt
the machine with WinXP Pro (I was running WinXP prior). Since the
upgrades, the machine decides to reboot itself without any real
warning or hints to what may cause it. It's like the PC freezes for a
few seconds, and then just powers off, but immediately comes back up
(almost like a poower toggle switch). When it comes back up, there is
nothing in the event log, not even a "unexpected shut down". The only
thing I can think of would be ~maybe~ I don't have enough power, but I
don't know if this is something I should suspect. The updated machine
does probably suck more power (DDR, P4, video card which went from
32MB->64MB with it's own fan). I'm not certain of what the power
requirements I should have on my power supply... but I'd expect I have
~250w. I've already opened the box up and reseeded the processor,
memory, and video card. Any other ideas?

The ONLY thing I can offer is that it seems to do it when it's
somewhat stressed. Like when I load OutlookXP downloading a TON of
email. But I don't see how that can suck more power. Also it doesn't
reboot all the time... sometimes a few times in 2 hours, sometimes not
for a whole day.

Could be inadequate PSU (you really need a decent 300w PSU these days ..
more is OK too), or it could be problems with memory, drivers, or even
motherboard/CPU (not very likely).

First of all turn off 'restart after failure' in my computer,
properties, advanced, startup & recovery, which will eliminate the
possibility that some crash is what is causing the reboot. Then try
running
www.memtest86.com (memory tester) from floppy disk over night. You might
also want to try a www.mersenne.org (Prime95 - download and install)
'torture test', which'll wind things up to pretty hot. Oh, and if you
don't have an equivalent utility, download 'Motherboard Monitor 5'
(google for it, but I think it's www.livewiredev.com?) which can log the
temperatures and voltages (to a file) while your machine is running (or
crashing).

Come back if none of that helps.

fwiw power consumption does vary (quite a lot) with activity .. Prime95
used to be able to take some laptops (which are not designed for
continuous flat-out activity) into near meltdown - these days most of
them just slow down their clock speeds.