System reboots without warning

[Richard Mahan Sr]

I have been experiencing many reboots without prompts or warning. I could
use some help.......Thanks

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name MAHAN
System Manufacturer Gateway
System Model Brookings
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 8 Stepping 10 GenuineIntel ~1101 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 0AAVIP13, 4/19/2001
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINNT
System Directory C:\WINNT\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180
(xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name MAHAN\Richard Mahan
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 384.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 132.30 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 920.52 MB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Random reboots without an error message are often a sign of overheating.
Things you can do:

1) Open the case and make sure all fans are operating, especially the cpu
fan. While you're in there, get a can of compressed air and blow out the
dust bunnies.

2) Make sure the drive tower is well ventilated and not stuck in some
department store computer desk pc cabinet with only a little vent hole in
the back.

3) Visit a local pc shop and have them add an intake or exhaust fan. This is
not something you should do on your own unless you are familiar with the air
circulation pattern inside your machine. Adding a fan can be
counterproductive if not done correctly.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[chevyman2002]

I would suggest running the computer in safe mode and testing it to see
if it does the same thing, it sounds more like a virus but it could
also possibly be overheating. If it still does it in safe mode, unplug
it and pull the heatsink for the CPU and see if there's sufficient, if
any, thermal compound, also check if anything feels like it may have
overheated and for blown/leaking capacitors on the MOBO. If it doesn't
reboot itself in safe mode, run virus scans as that's most likely the
problem. If you don't have any good virus scanners, head to
http://housecall.trendmicro.com - it does a pretty good job of finding
and removing viruses. Hope this has been somewhat helpful!