CPU keeps restarting

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our computer is only about a year and a half old. It is 1.2 Ghz 512 MB Ram
Windows XP. I was away for a year and came back with the computer acting
this way. No hardware was added at any time.

At first i was told that it could be that the power supply is not good.
However, when i load it on safe mode it doesnt die at all (i dont know how to
explain it). Also, the amount of time it can go without automatically
restarting is not fixed... it can go for hours or just minutes. I ran all
sorts of virus scans and it still happens. I am considering just
reinstalling windows.. is this good o r should i try to do something else
first. thanks!
 
Adrian said:
our computer is only about a year and a half old. It is 1.2 Ghz 512 MB Ram
Windows XP. I was away for a year and came back with the computer acting
this way. No hardware was added at any time.

At first i was told that it could be that the power supply is not good.
However, when i load it on safe mode it doesnt die at all (i dont know how
to
explain it). Also, the amount of time it can go without automatically
restarting is not fixed... it can go for hours or just minutes. I ran all
sorts of virus scans and it still happens. I am considering just
reinstalling windows.. is this good o r should i try to do something else
first. thanks!
Click to expand...

Hello.

First thing to do is work out why it's rebooting. Best way to go about this
is to stop the system from
automatically rebooting - so we can get an error screen.

You can do this by right-clicking My Computer then selecting Properties,
then go to Advanced and Startup and Recovery settings, uncheck Automatically
restart. Next time it crashes it should present you with a blue-screen, jot
down any error codes and files (usually ending with .dll).

Post back with that and we can advise further.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove 'nospam.' to reply by e-mail*
 
Does it restart when you start using the graphics card intensivley. Try
reseating all the ram and make sure any PCI cards are definitley pushed
well in. Every time the computer is switched on all the components heat
up and start to expand and move about a bit. All it would take for the
processor to restart is a bad connection. While you have the case lid
of blow out any dust around the CPU fans and Powers supply with a can
of compressed air. Don't use a vaccume cleaner, they can build up
static. Look into the power management and wake on lan aspect of it
all. Faulty network cards can cause PC to switch on and off at random.
Try disabling any power management on the motherborad bios. If you do
install a clean version of windows and the problem still persist. Try
installing a version of linux. If the problem still persist then it's
probably a hardware problem not a software problem.
 
Hello.

First thing to do is work out why it's rebooting. Best way to go about this
is to stop the system from
automatically rebooting - so we can get an error screen.

You can do this by right-clicking My Computer then selecting Properties,
then go to Advanced and Startup and Recovery settings, uncheck Automatically
restart. Next time it crashes it should present you with a blue-screen, jot
down any error codes and files (usually ending with .dll).

Post back with that and we can advise further.
Click to expand...

ONE suggestion I can think off "right off the top of my
head" is that you MIGHT want to invest in a higher-rated CPU
heatsink/fan. Some CPUs are designed to turn off if they get
a degree or two too hot.

I have such a CPU, and it's saved my hide more than once
when it got too hot. It was telling me that my heatsink/fan
was inadequate. I have a 1.8 Ghz, and the 2 Ghz heatsink/fan
wasn't enough. (I run my system 24/7/365) I only turn it off
for repair/maintenance.

I put in a heatsink/fan that was rated to 3 Ghz, and that
solved my problem.

(as I understand it from engineer friends, your CPU CAN get
too hot. It can't possibly get "too cold."

So even if the heatsink/fan IS NOT the IMMEDIATE issue,
getting a higher-rated fan/heatsink is still a VERY good
bet.

Beyond that, you may be having power supply issues.

A good "diagnostic" program might be a good idea.

I use "Sandra", and I just got "Hot CPU Tester Pro" on a
link I found on my PC World subscription.

(by the way, subscribing to PCWORLD's daily newsletters is
free, and you get a boatload of good information/software)


Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
Does it restart when you start using the graphics card intensivley. Try
reseating all the ram and make sure any PCI cards are definitley pushed
well in. Every time the computer is switched on all the components heat
up and start to expand and move about a bit. All it would take for the
processor to restart is a bad connection. While you have the case lid
of blow out any dust around the CPU fans and Powers supply with a can
of compressed air. Don't use a vaccume cleaner, they can build up
static. Look into the power management and wake on lan aspect of it
all. Faulty network cards can cause PC to switch on and off at random.
Try disabling any power management on the motherborad bios. If you do
install a clean version of windows and the problem still persist. Try
installing a version of linux. If the problem still persist then it's
probably a hardware problem not a software problem.
Click to expand...


Well done! I LOVE to learn new things!

;-)

Good luck!


Tallahassee
 
Adrian said:
our computer is only about a year and a half old. It is 1.2 Ghz 512
MB Ram Windows XP. I was away for a year and came back with the
computer acting this way. No hardware was added at any time.

At first i was told that it could be that the power supply is not
good. However, when i load it on safe mode it doesnt die at all (i
dont know how to explain it). Also, the amount of time it can go
without automatically restarting is not fixed... it can go for hours
or just minutes. I ran all sorts of virus scans and it still happens.
I am considering just reinstalling windows.. is this good o r should
i try to do something else first. thanks!
Click to expand...


You are presumably blue-screening, and you are set to reboot whenever that
happens. Right-click My Computer, and choose Properties. On the Advanced
tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System failure,
uncheck the box "Automatically restart.

Now when the problem occurs again, instead of restarting, you will get the
blue screen with diagnostic information. Post back with those details for
more help.
 
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