Machine rebooying

[Chuk]

I recently updated my AMD processor from 1800 to 3000.

Apart form the problem described below it seems to be working
flawlessly.

However, my PC has now been consistently rebooting itself at almost
exactly the same time each day - at 4.00 pm to the minute.

Now it happens that at about the same time as installing the new
processor I also installed Norton Ghost V 9 which installs itself as a
startup item so it is always running.

As a bit of a Norton sceptic, I initailly assumed it was that causing
the reboot, so I disabled it and for a couple of days the reboot
stopped.

Then today out of the blue I got another reboot, but this time at
2.00pm (almost to the minute).

There is definitely nothing in Windows scheduler to cause a reboot and
I'm wondering if this could somehow be hardware related.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[John Doe]

I recently updated my AMD processor from 1800 to 3000.
Apart form the problem described below it seems to be working
flawlessly.
However, my PC has now been consistently rebooting itself at almost
exactly the same time each day - at 4.00 pm to the minute.
Now it happens that at about the same time as installing the new
processor I also installed Norton Ghost V 9 which installs itself
as a startup item so it is always running.
As a bit of a Norton sceptic, I initailly assumed it was that
causing the reboot, so I disabled it and for a couple of days the
reboot stopped.
Then today out of the blue I got another reboot, but this time at
2.00pm (almost to the minute).
There is definitely nothing in Windows scheduler to cause a reboot
and I'm wondering if this could somehow be hardware related.
Anyone got any ideas?

Since I make backup copies of Windows, I would revert to a backup
copy. You probably don't. I think power fluctuations might cause a
reboot. Do you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS, battery
backup)?

 

[Chuk]

Since I make backup copies of Windows, I would revert to a backup
copy. You probably don't. I think power fluctuations might cause a
reboot. Do you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS, battery
backup)?

Well I do have a backup of my Windows partition. It also includes all
my applications but data is on a seperate partition.

I could revert to that, but it is a cupla months old - must get more
disciplined about backups - but as a last resort could do that.

However if the problem is hardware related, that would be a waste of
time. Would like to iidentify the cause before trying to fix.

No UPS, and I think power fluctuations is a long shot, but possible.
I'm intrigued by the fact that it happens dead ON the hour. Might be
coincidence....but....

 

[John Doe]

Well I do have a backup of my Windows partition. It also includes
all my applications but data is on a seperate partition.
I could revert to that, but it is a cupla months old - must get
more disciplined about backups - but as a last resort could do
that. However if the problem is hardware related, that would be a
waste of time. Would like to iidentify the cause before trying to
fix.

A disk manager would allow switching to a backup copy during the time
the computer reboots.

Reverting to a backup copy of Windows will help identify the cause.
When you really want to fix something, you try the best lead, or any
lead which will greatly narrow possibilities.

No UPS, and I think power fluctuations is a long shot, but
possible.

Unless you have a better lead, you need to develop some. You can do
that by getting your hands dirty, by doing something. Got any more
information?

 

[S. Whitmore]

No UPS, and I think power fluctuations is a long shot, but possible.
I'm intrigued by the fact that it happens dead ON the hour. Might be
coincidence....but....

Power issues don't sound like that much of a long shot to me, if
you're seeing it regularly at the same time of day and you have
nothing scheduled on your computer for that time of day. A heavy
electrical load on a timer could give this effect by making the power
available to your PC dip at timed intervals. I'd look around for
anything that could cause that, including things that your neighbors
may have going on. Can't hurt to check it out.

 

[Chuk]

Chuk <[email protected]> wrote:

A disk manager would allow switching to a backup copy during the time
the computer reboots.

Reverting to a backup copy of Windows will help identify the cause.
When you really want to fix something, you try the best lead, or any
lead which will greatly narrow possibilities.

Take your point, but I'm reluctant to revert to a 2 month old version
unless I know that will fix the problem. Trouble is it because it has
only been rebooting once per day, and then not every day, it could
take several days before I know if a fix has worked or not.

Unless you have a better lead, you need to develop some. You can do
that by getting your hands dirty, by doing something.

I don't mind trying things, but like to make sure I have a reasoned
purpose before I leap in.

Probably the easiest first step would be to revert back to my old
processor and see if that fixes the problem. Then at least I would
know the cause. If that doesn't fix it, then I have to try something
else.

Got any more information?

Well it didn't reboot today.

I did disable the Norton Ghost in the MS Config set up.

Not sure if that has fixed it or not. The intermittent nature of the
problem makes it difficult to trace.

Bit of Gooling suggests that overheating can cause reboots and am
wondering if the new processor is creating too much heat. Mobo has no
heat sensor, so can't really tell.

Will keep plugging away - do appreciate your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Chuk]

Power issues don't sound like that much of a long shot to me, if
you're seeing it regularly at the same time of day and you have
nothing scheduled on your computer for that time of day. A heavy
electrical load on a timer could give this effect by making the power
available to your PC dip at timed intervals. I'd look around for
anything that could cause that, including things that your neighbors
may have going on. Can't hurt to check it out.

Fair point. Didn't reboot today, so need to keep a log of when it
happens so I can see if that relates to anything going on.

Thanks.