My brand new PC restarts without warning?

[RollingEEE]

Please help me. I bought a new PC with Intel Core 2 E6420 2.13 GHz
Processor and Intel 946-GZ motherboard, Ram 667MHz 2x1GB, And PCI-E
ATI Sapphire X550 128MB Graphics Card. (O/S Windows XP SP-2). I tried
to play Rise of the Nations: Thrones and Patriot, Sims 2: Nightlife,
and Resident Evil 4 in it. The games start fine, but as the play
progresses, some problems arise. Either, the game will stop, and
Windows will say that it is generating 'a list of exceptions' and then
the infamous error reporting dialogue box. Or the computer will simply
restart without any warning. After restarting, a Message box appears
that the Windows has recovered from a serious error. This happens only
in complex situations, I.E, at rise of the nations, this happens at
the peak of a battle, etc.

Can any one please help me?
My casing has a special duct that fits to the processor and has
another fan installed at the end of the duct that constantly forces
air circulation. I tried to open the Graphics card and use the
motherboards built in agp to run the games but the same problems
persist.)

 

[Ghostrider]

Please help me. I bought a new PC with Intel Core 2 E6420 2.13 GHz
Processor and Intel 946-GZ motherboard, Ram 667MHz 2x1GB, And PCI-E
ATI Sapphire X550 128MB Graphics Card. (O/S Windows XP SP-2). I tried
to play Rise of the Nations: Thrones and Patriot, Sims 2: Nightlife,
and Resident Evil 4 in it. The games start fine, but as the play
progresses, some problems arise. Either, the game will stop, and
Windows will say that it is generating 'a list of exceptions' and then
the infamous error reporting dialogue box. Or the computer will simply
restart without any warning. After restarting, a Message box appears
that the Windows has recovered from a serious error. This happens only
in complex situations, I.E, at rise of the nations, this happens at
the peak of a battle, etc.

Can any one please help me?
My casing has a special duct that fits to the processor and has
another fan installed at the end of the duct that constantly forces
air circulation. I tried to open the Graphics card and use the
motherboards built in agp to run the games but the same problems
persist.)

Offhand, I'd say that the CPU is over-heating due to the intensity
of the games. Test by putting the computer into a cooler place with
good air ventilation. If needed, remove one of the side panels. If
problem persists, return to the builder if it is still under warranty.

 

[george41407]

Please help me. I bought a new PC with Intel Core 2 E6420 2.13 GHz
Processor and Intel 946-GZ motherboard, Ram 667MHz 2x1GB, And PCI-E
ATI Sapphire X550 128MB Graphics Card. (O/S Windows XP SP-2). I tried
to play Rise of the Nations: Thrones and Patriot, Sims 2: Nightlife,
and Resident Evil 4 in it. The games start fine, but as the play
progresses, some problems arise. Either, the game will stop, and
Windows will say that it is generating 'a list of exceptions' and then
the infamous error reporting dialogue box. Or the computer will simply
restart without any warning. After restarting, a Message box appears
that the Windows has recovered from a serious error. This happens only
in complex situations, I.E, at rise of the nations, this happens at
the peak of a battle, etc.

Can any one please help me?
My casing has a special duct that fits to the processor and has
another fan installed at the end of the duct that constantly forces
air circulation. I tried to open the Graphics card and use the
motherboards built in agp to run the games but the same problems
persist.)

I'm not going to even begin to try to answer about your overheating
and such. But to eliminate the problems with the computer turning on
by itself (I think thats what you are saying), I'd recommend a
switchbox. I have used one of them for years. They sit under the
monitor and have a switch for computer, monitor, printer, ext. modem,
aux1 aux2, etc. Then there is a master switch that shuts everything
off. Not only do these insure the computer and all the other things
connected to it are turned off, but it protects the components from
lightning. I know some of these newer computers are always in a
standby mode and the switch does not actually disconnect the power
supply from the AC line outlet. Not only are you wasting electricity
when the computer is not being used, but during storms you are
exposing your system to lightning spikes. When I am not using the
computer, I want it totally shut down. (Modern Tv sets also have this
always on circuitry, I have a switch for that too.) We keep hearing
to conserve energy, yet these manufacturers keep making stuff like
this..... go figure !!!

George

 

[w_tom]

A computer running in a 70 degree F room crashes due to
overheating. Then its hardware is 100% defective. That computer must
execute the most complex games in a 100 degree F room with only one
chassis fan. That is, for example, what was called burn-in testing.
Putting that computer in a 100 degree F room may even help to locate
the defective part.

Of course, you machine is under manufacturer warranty. You need not
do any of this. But this is provided so that you can judge the
technician: does he know what he is doing?

First thing checked in an unstable system is its power supply by
using a 3.5 digit multimeter. Those voltages on orange, purple, red,
and yellow wires must exceed 3.23, 4.87, and 11.7. A better equipped
tech would use an oscilloscope to confirm voltages never drop below
numbers in Intel ATX power supply specs. Any marginal voltage means
computer works maybe 98% of the time - is therefore 100% defective.
Same voltages are verifies if a new power supply is installed.

Once the power supply system (which is more than just a power
supply) is confirmed, then other hardware is ready for testing with
manufacturer comprehensive diagnostics. Of course, if that
manufacturer was not so responsible, then individual diagnostics must
be downloaded from each component manufacturer. These comprehensive
hardware diagnostics best executed in a 100 degree F room or when
heated by a hair dryer on highest heat. Again, heat is a diagnostic
tool.

And, of course, data must be collected and reviewed from Device
manager and from system (event) logs. Failures that can be worked
around are recorded in those logs. But if someone foolishly 'nuke and
paves' Windows, then the data is lost.

Some of the first things your warranty provider should do to find
the defect before replacing anything. Those who say games 'overwork'
the system just don't have basic technical knowledge. Processors must
work just fine at 100% capacity. But defects such as a marginal power
supply system or internal defective would not become apparent until
system gets warmer. All systems must work just fine at 100% capacity
even when room temperature exceeds 100 degree F.