Computer Keeps Restarting

[Guest]

My other system consists of an As Rock 939NF4G-SATA2 Motherboard running an
AMD64 3200+ processor. My hard drive is a samsung 250Gb sata. I am running
Xp SP2.

On a regular basis my computer will just restart itself without warning.
Sometimes it will be fine for a few days and other times a few hours. At
first i thought it might be the HD as this had been dropped but i got a new
drive but still have the same problem.

I have checked the BIOS and the temperature is usually between 35 and 39
degree's, is this right.

Although i am not a whizz with computers but i know a little but this is
confusing me. Someone please help.

 

[Jim]

My other system consists of an As Rock 939NF4G-SATA2 Motherboard running an
AMD64 3200+ processor. My hard drive is a samsung 250Gb sata. I am running
Xp SP2.

On a regular basis my computer will just restart itself without warning.
Sometimes it will be fine for a few days and other times a few hours. At
first i thought it might be the HD as this had been dropped but i got a new
drive but still have the same problem.

I have checked the BIOS and the temperature is usually between 35 and 39
degree's, is this right.

Although i am not a whizz with computers but i know a little but this is
confusing me. Someone please help.

I've seen this occur for several reasons:

1) Poorly seated CPU heatsink/fan
2) Bad memory module (run memtest-86 to verify all is well)
3) Leaking capacitors

Jim

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I've seen this occur for several reasons:

1) Poorly seated CPU heatsink/fan
2) Bad memory module (run memtest-86 to verify all is well)
3) Leaking capacitors

Jim

Check:

Control Panel ----> System ----> Advanced ---> Startup and Recovery --->
Settings (button) ----> System Failure ----> Uncheck "Automatically Restart"


This "may" give you a Windows screen/menu/pop-up for the reason the XP is
stopping.

 

[Guest]

Jim

Sorry if i sound an idiot but how do i run The Memtest-86.

Paul

 

[Jim]

Just go to http://www.memtest.org/ and download either the floppy version
( http://www.memtest.org/download/1.65/memtest86+-1.65.floppy.zip ), OR, the
CD version ( http://www.memtest.org/download/1.65/memtest86+-1.65.iso.zip ),
which you'll need to burn to a CD. Then just insert the floppy/CD and
reboot. Runs automatically. Let it run for a while, at least several
passes, if possible, overnight.

Jim

 

[Guest]

I used the memtest86+, i have initially run 3 passes. It came up with:
Test 3 = 6 errors
Test 4 = 17 errors
Test 5 = 18 errors
Test 6 = 1 error

What does this mean.

 

[David Vair]

Sounds like your memory is getting ready to die. Errors during a memory test means faulty memory.

 

[Jim]

Assuming you haven't overclocked the memory, iow, it's running "at spec", it
seems at least ONE of your memory modules is bad. If you're using multiple
memory modules, I suggest isolationg the bad module by only having one
memory module installed at a time and rerunning the tests. I would also try
the same memory module(s) in DIFFERENT memory slots to make sure it isn't
the memory slot itself that's the problem (iow, the mobo). Not likely, but
best to check first before assuming it is the memory. If you continue to
get errors, you'll need to RMA (return) the memory module(s) or motherboard
(as appropriate) to the manufacturer (hopefully still under warranty).

Jim

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Sat, 9 Sep 2006 10:26:01 -0700, Paul

I used the memtest86+, i have initially run 3 passes. It came up with:
Test 3 = 6 errors
Test 4 = 17 errors
Test 5 = 18 errors
Test 6 = 1 error

What does this mean.

It means your RAM subsystem (nearly always, that means your RAM - but
in theory, could be mobo or CPU's cache) is BAD.

Do NOT allow Windows to run until that RAM is replaced and an
overnight test shows no errors whatsoever.

------------ ----- --- -- - - - -

Drugs are usually safe. Inject? (Y/n)