Computer self-reboots!

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Guest

I'm having a rather peculiar and somewhat unpleasant problem. At particular
times when playing certain games, my computer will simply reboot completely -
as if I'd pressed the reset button. It happens on exiting a few games (Uru
and XIII so far), and in-game in Freelancer when arriving at a new system
after using a jump gate.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing this? I'm running
Windows XP Professional, SP2.
 
Hi TheFinn,

thefinn said:
I'm having a rather peculiar and somewhat unpleasant problem. At particular
times when playing certain games, my computer will simply reboot completely -
as if I'd pressed the reset button. It happens on exiting a few games (Uru
and XIII so far), and in-game in Freelancer when arriving at a new system
after using a jump gate.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing this? I'm running
Windows XP Professional, SP2.
Click to expand...

Hardware issues can cause freezing, black screens and other
errors. Also, your drivers should always be kept up to date.

Try the following steps one at a time to try and resolve the issue.
I hope this helps. Please post back if you have any questions! :-)

1. Update DirectX and your Chipset, Sound, &Video Drivers:
For all Video / DirectX / Game and Hardware Issues, I have a
Checklist of Solutions at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

2. Dust your fans, vents and components using a 1/4" paintbrush
and a hose vacuum. Use compressed air for hard to reach places.
Set a housefan to blow cold air into your case to expose an over-
heating issue.. If it works add more fans or replace defective ones.
Use this Motherboard Monitor Utility: http://mbm.livewiredev.com

3. A faulty power supply can cause STOP errors, random reboots,
and black screen lockups. One way to test for that is to check the
wattage sticker on your power supply and then calculate your need
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ (Min. 350 for gaming)

4. Test your RAM using: http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
 
I'm having a rather peculiar and somewhat unpleasant problem. At particular
times when playing certain games, my computer will simply reboot completely -
as if I'd pressed the reset button. It happens on exiting a few games (Uru
and XIII so far), and in-game in Freelancer when arriving at a new system
after using a jump gate.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing this? I'm running
Windows XP Professional, SP2.
Click to expand...

First disable the automatic restart on error to get the blue screen
message detailing what device/driver causes the reboot: control
panel/system/advanced tab/startup and recovery setting

Then what Jimmy said in his previous answer :-)

===
Katy P.
MS_MVP for Flight Simulator

Visit Project Magenta!
http://www.promagenta.com
 
Thanks for your replies. I'm working on it. How do I disable automatic
restart on error? I had no idea that was even a setting - though I'm somewhat
relieved that it is. If it's just the equivalent of a BSOD, I've at least
seen this kind of thing before.
 
Hi The Finn,

To stop this behavior go to Control Panel / System / Advanced /
Click the Startup and Recovery Settings button / Uncheck the box
labelled "Automatically restart" under the System Failure section.

If the error indicates a file name that begins with ati, or nv (nVidia)
the most likely solution would be to install the latest drivers using
the instructions at: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
 
The error message I get on the blue screen is not particularly informative.
It simply says:

*** STOP: 0x0000007F (0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Can I take this to mean that it's not a video driver issue? I'm inclined to
think it's not a driver issue, since my drivers are fairly recent (got a
bunch of new hardware recently, and downloaded current drivers for all of it
at the time). I also lean against it being overheating or power supply
issues, simply because it's completely regular and reproducible - it only
happens in a few games, and in those games, it's tied to particular events.
That'd leave RAM (out of your suggestions, anyway). Now to find a working
floppy drive for that RAM test utility....

Jimmy S. said:
Hi The Finn,

To stop this behavior go to Control Panel / System / Advanced /
Click the Startup and Recovery Settings button / Uncheck the box
labelled "Automatically restart" under the System Failure section.

If the error indicates a file name that begins with ati, or nv (nVidia)
the most likely solution would be to install the latest drivers using
the instructions at: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

thefinn said:
Thanks for your replies. I'm working on it. How do I disable automatic
restart on error? I had no idea that was even a setting - though I'm somewhat
relieved that it is. If it's just the equivalent of a BSOD, I've at least
seen this kind of thing before.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi The Finn,

Does the information in this article help?
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=822789

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| The error message I get on the blue screen is not particularly informative.
| It simply says:
|
| *** STOP: 0x0000007F (0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
|
| Can I take this to mean that it's not a video driver issue? I'm inclined to
| think it's not a driver issue, since my drivers are fairly recent (got a
| bunch of new hardware recently, and downloaded current drivers for all of it
| at the time). I also lean against it being overheating or power supply
| issues, simply because it's completely regular and reproducible - it only
| happens in a few games, and in those games, it's tied to particular events.
| That'd leave RAM (out of your suggestions, anyway). Now to find a working
| floppy drive for that RAM test utility....
|
| "Jimmy S." wrote:
|
| > Hi The Finn,
| >
| > To stop this behavior go to Control Panel / System / Advanced /
| > Click the Startup and Recovery Settings button / Uncheck the box
| > labelled "Automatically restart" under the System Failure section.
| >
| > If the error indicates a file name that begins with ati, or nv (nVidia)
| > the most likely solution would be to install the latest drivers using
| > the instructions at: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
| >
| > --
| > Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
| > Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
| >
| > Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
| > Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
| > MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
| > My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
| > _________________________________________________________
| >
| > > Thanks for your replies. I'm working on it. How do I disable automatic
| > > restart on error? I had no idea that was even a setting - though I'm somewhat
| > > relieved that it is. If it's just the equivalent of a BSOD, I've at least
| > > seen this kind of thing before.
| > >
| > > "Katy Pluta (MS_MVP)" wrote:
| > >
| > >> On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 07:55:01 -0700, "thefinn"
| > >>
| > >> >I'm having a rather peculiar and somewhat unpleasant problem. At particular
| > >> >times when playing certain games, my computer will simply reboot completely -
| > >> >as if I'd pressed the reset button. It happens on exiting a few games (Uru
| > >> >and XIII so far), and in-game in Freelancer when arriving at a new system
| > >> >after using a jump gate.
| > >> >
| > >> >Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing this? I'm running
| > >> >Windows XP Professional, SP2.
| > >>
| > >> First disable the automatic restart on error to get the blue screen
| > >> message detailing what device/driver causes the reboot: control
| > >> panel/system/advanced tab/startup and recovery setting
| > >>
| > >> Then what Jimmy said in his previous answer :-)
| > >>
| > >> ===
| > >> Katy P.
| > >> MS_MVP for Flight Simulator
| > >>
| > >> Visit Project Magenta!
| > >> http://www.promagenta.com
| > >>
| >
| >
| >
 
Try this and I'll debug what is causing the bugcheck. To determine what
driver is causing the problem I need you to enable driver verifier.
Steps:
1) Windows Key + R
2) Type in 'verifier' and hit enter
3) Make sure 'Create Standard Setting' is selected and hit next
4) Click on 'Select all drivers installed on this computer' and hit Finish
5) Reboot

There is a possibility that your computer will crash on reboot. If this
occurs hit F8 when rebooting just before the windows logo screen and select
the safe mode boot option. Follow the same steps above but on step 4 choose
'Select driver names from a list'; hit next; check the box next to any
driver where the provider is not Microsoft; hit Finish; reboot.

This will slow the performance of you computer a little while enabled but
will hopefully catch the driver causing corruption. Next time you crash
the blue screen will hopefully say something like
"DRIVER_VERIFIER_DETECTED_VIOLATION". If this occurs please send the
corresponding minidump (by default it is at c:\windows\Minidump ) my way.
If you have any questions or I didn't explain something well enough don't
hesitate to e-mail me (remove "online") back. Good Luck,


Joshua Smith
OpenGL Test Lab
Microsoft
-----

Get Secure! www.microsoft.com/security

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights


thefinn said:
The error message I get on the blue screen is not particularly
informative.
It simply says:

*** STOP: 0x0000007F (0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

Can I take this to mean that it's not a video driver issue? I'm inclined
to
think it's not a driver issue, since my drivers are fairly recent (got a
bunch of new hardware recently, and downloaded current drivers for all of
it
at the time). I also lean against it being overheating or power supply
issues, simply because it's completely regular and reproducible - it only
happens in a few games, and in those games, it's tied to particular
events.
That'd leave RAM (out of your suggestions, anyway). Now to find a working
floppy drive for that RAM test utility....

Jimmy S. said:
Hi The Finn,

To stop this behavior go to Control Panel / System / Advanced /
Click the Startup and Recovery Settings button / Uncheck the box
labelled "Automatically restart" under the System Failure section.

If the error indicates a file name that begins with ati, or nv (nVidia)
the most likely solution would be to install the latest drivers using
the instructions at: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support:
http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any
rights.
_________________________________________________________

thefinn said:
Thanks for your replies. I'm working on it. How do I disable automatic
restart on error? I had no idea that was even a setting - though I'm
somewhat
relieved that it is. If it's just the equivalent of a BSOD, I've at
least
seen this kind of thing before.

:

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 07:55:01 -0700, "thefinn"

I'm having a rather peculiar and somewhat unpleasant problem. At
particular
times when playing certain games, my computer will simply reboot
completely -
as if I'd pressed the reset button. It happens on exiting a few games
(Uru
and XIII so far), and in-game in Freelancer when arriving at a new
system
after using a jump gate.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be causing this? I'm
running
Windows XP Professional, SP2.

First disable the automatic restart on error to get the blue screen
message detailing what device/driver causes the reboot: control
panel/system/advanced tab/startup and recovery setting

Then what Jimmy said in his previous answer :-)

===
Katy P.
MS_MVP for Flight Simulator

Visit Project Magenta!
http://www.promagenta.com
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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