PC reboots on its own

[IC]

I have a PC which reboots for no apparent reason. I have tried various
faultfinding techniques, but am now at a loss.

I have looked in the event viewer and the only thing I can see is a Save
Dump entry in the System event log telling me that the computer has rebooted
from a bugcheck.

Does this happen whenever the computer does not shut down properly, or can I
gain some insight into the cause of the problem from this?

Unfortunately the symptoms are so intermittent that it can happen several
times in quick succession (in one case, the PC hadn't finished rebooting
before it started again) or it can work perfectly all day (as it has done
today).

Any help would be much appreciated as I can't even determine whether this is
a hardware or software issue.

Ian

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Some other things to do besides checking event viewer:

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Note: you should always be well backed up before running an application of
this type.

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. Do not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft. *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well backed
up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point in
System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver update
and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup. Start\All
Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore

 

[Guest]

So many hardware or software could be the cause, so you'll have to do a
systematic diagnosis.

If you have run Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy and a good anti virus
application and they clean up and remove all offensive software bits, try
running the PC and see if the problem is fixed.

If not, again re-run Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy, try running the PC
and see if the problem is fixed.

If not, then you can try eliminating all the unnecessary hardware attached
to the PC and trim down the list of suspects. Run without Printer: Modem:
and other plug in devices. See what happens. If problem goes away, add one
at a time until it comes back and you've found the answer.

If the above doesn't find the problem, open up the case and start unplugging
interface cables to CD, second hard drive etc leaving only system disk.
AGain try for a while. Once again if it goes away, add one at a time until
it comes back and you've found the answer.

If not then unplug one of your memory modules [if you have 2 or more]. Once
again if it goes away then you have a faulty module, if not swap the module
in the machine for the one you took out.

Once again if it goes away you have a dud module, if not then it's deeper in
the motherboard.

 

[IC]

You've given me a few things to try, but it may be some time before they
bear fruit as the fault hasn't occurred for over 2 days.

Ian

 

[IC]

Thanks for the advice. I've already gone down the hardware route. I started
by replacing the PSU with no luck. I then trimmed it down to the bare
minimum (no CD/DVD/sound card/network card. It ran for over a day with them
all out so I started putting them back one at a time leaving the PC on all
day to test it. It didn't fail until I put the soundcard back in after about
4 days of other substitutions. I bought a new soundcard and, 2 days later,
it failed again :-( It hasn't failed again since then so I don't know where
I stand just now.

I'm going to follow the software options given by Michael Solomon and
yourself, but this is likely to take some time.

Ian

So many hardware or software could be the cause, so you'll have to do a
systematic diagnosis.

If you have run Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy and a good anti virus
application and they clean up and remove all offensive software bits, try
running the PC and see if the problem is fixed.

If not, again re-run Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy, try running the
PC
and see if the problem is fixed.

If not, then you can try eliminating all the unnecessary hardware attached
to the PC and trim down the list of suspects. Run without Printer: Modem:
and other plug in devices. See what happens. If problem goes away, add
one
at a time until it comes back and you've found the answer.

If the above doesn't find the problem, open up the case and start
unplugging
interface cables to CD, second hard drive etc leaving only system disk.
AGain try for a while. Once again if it goes away, add one at a time
until
it comes back and you've found the answer.

If not then unplug one of your memory modules [if you have 2 or more].
Once
again if it goes away then you have a faulty module, if not swap the
module
in the machine for the one you took out.

Once again if it goes away you have a dud module, if not then it's deeper
in
the motherboard.

I have a PC which reboots for no apparent reason. I have tried various
faultfinding techniques, but am now at a loss.

I have looked in the event viewer and the only thing I can see is a Save
Dump entry in the System event log telling me that the computer has
rebooted
from a bugcheck.

Does this happen whenever the computer does not shut down properly, or
can I
gain some insight into the cause of the problem from this?

Unfortunately the symptoms are so intermittent that it can happen several
times in quick succession (in one case, the PC hadn't finished rebooting
before it started again) or it can work perfectly all day (as it has done
today).

Any help would be much appreciated as I can't even determine whether this
is
a hardware or software issue.

Ian