computer keeps restarting itself ?!

[Guest]

I have this problem... if i turn on my computer, after some time, it will
keep restarting itself and when it restarts, there is a clicking sound as if
i have pressed the power button... somewhat like the sound of a switch
tripping. But if the computer can run for an hour or so, there will be no
more restarting problem so i try not to leave my computer on the whole
time... Also when i was watching movie clips, the computer also have this
restarting problem and sometimes a blue screen saying memory dump appeared.
Do anyone know whats wrong? Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Crocker]

Check for a virus. Also check for over heating, cooling fans not working.
Dust bunnies clogging air flow, etc.

Bill Crocker

 

[T. Waters]

You might have overheating. Download and run the excellent Everest Home
Edition:
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en
It measures CPU temperature. If your CPU is over 50 Celsius, or 122
Fahrenheit, it is probably running too hot.
Also, open your computer case and check for dust buildup and that all the
fans are spinning properly. Caution: dust removal can damage components if
you don't know the correct technique.

 

[Kelly]

Hi,

Depends on many factors.

As per the latter, especially if AVI files:

Automated:

AVI Search Remove (Line 74)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Manual Edit: Go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to the key below and
delete the default data (right pane).

Or:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.avi\shellex\PropertyHandler

Windows Stops Responding When You Click a Large AVI File in Windows
Explorer" http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822430

As per memory dumps (and they are related):

Use one of these three options.

Right Click the My Computer Icon/Properties/Advanced/
Performance/Settings/Advanced/Change.

1. Set Page File to 0, ok your way out and reboot. Then follow the same
procedure and reset the Page File to System Managed File.

2. No Page File. Reboot. Then delete C:\Pagefile.Sys then revert the page
file setting.

3. Set the swap file size to zero, reboot. Re-set to System Managed,
reboot. Reset the Custom setting, reboot.

You Receive a "System Has Recovered from a Serious Error" Message After
Every Restart
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q317277

Windows XP Problems if Your Profile Is Damaged
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q326688

As per overall, pertaining to your subject line:

By default when WinXP encounters a system failure, it reboots without
warning. The setting that controls this can be changed:

Control Panel/System/Advanced/Settings (Startup & Recovery)/System
Failure/Uncheck-Automatically Restart.

You can use Event Viewer to view and manage the event logs, gather
information about hardware and software problems, and monitor Windows
security events.

To view the event log: Administrative Tools/Event Viewer or
Start/Run/eventvwr.

To review Shutdown Event Tracker data, Open Event Viewer. Click System Log,
scroll to the Event column, and find entries with the number 1075.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q308427

And also:

Go to Start/Run/Msinfo32/Hardware Resources, Components/Problem Devices and
Software Environment/Windows Error Reporting.

Go to Help and Support/Pick a Task (left side)/Use Tools to view.../(left
pane)My Computer Information/(right pane)View the status of my system
hardware and software/Hardware/Update and Troubleshooters.

How to Troubleshoot Hardware and Software Driver Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q322205

Try running the DirectX Tool: Start/Run/Dxdiag, Lower Hardware Acceleration
(Display/Settings/Advanced/Troubleshoot/Hardware Acceleration). Check
System Info for problematic issues: Start/Run/Msinfo32/Hardware Resources
and Components/Problem Devices and Software Environment/Windows Error
Reporting.

Report Error's to Microsoft automatically

Start/Run/gpedit.msc/Computer Configuration/Administrative
Templates/System/Error Reporting. Right click Report Errors/Properties.
Check off Enable and then check off, Do not display links to any MS provided
more information web sites. Apply, ok.

Good luck and keep us posted. )

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Miss Perspicacia Tick]

You might have overheating. Download and run the excellent Everest
Home Edition:
http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en
It measures CPU temperature. If your CPU is over 50 Celsius, or 122
Fahrenheit, it is probably running too hot.
Also, open your computer case and check for dust buildup and that all
the fans are spinning properly. Caution: dust removal can damage
components if you don't know the correct technique.

You cannot say that without knowing what CPU the OP has. 50°C would not be
too hot for a Prescott CPU, for example, as they can hit 85°C without any
ill effects. I have an FX-55 and that's also a hot running chip. It idles
around 45°, but can hit 75° or even 80° under very heavy load (video or
photo editing for example).

It would be marginally on the warm side for a Sempron or Celeron, however.

Otherwise, your advice is sound.