Computer help: random shutdowns(reboots)
random shutdowns(reboots)
by digger1111 - 6/1/05 2:22 PMi use xp home edition version 2002 service pack 2, 256 ram, 40 gig hard drive ,1000 mhzs,amd duron(tm)
processor.
we have been having a problem with our system rebooting on its own . right in the middle of doing something or just sitting still doing nothjing
what can be the problem please help
thanks
Digger, Sounds Like 'Heat'
by Grif Thomas
- 6/1/05 2:27 PM
In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111
...You didn't mention whether it was "Desktop" or "laptop", but try taking the cover off the computer tower, blow out the dust and junk inside, then point a housefan at the inards. Run the computer like that for a while. Does the problem go away...If so, make sure that all fans are running inside and if so, you might want another fan...and maybe a larger power supply.
And just in case they are a multitude of programs running in the background causing the machine to overheat, make sure to eliminate all spyware and clean up the computer by using the procedures in the links below:
Download, install, update, then run ALL of the spyware removal tools from the links below:
Ad-Aware® SE Personal Edition Spyware Removal Tool
”Spybot Search & Destroy” Spyware Removal Tool
CWShredder 2.1x Hijack Removal Tool
__________
Use these links to clean up the computer further.:
For Windows 2000/XP, ignore the first couple of sentences about checking "resources" in the link below but follow the rest of the procedures including the "Services" links at the bottom.
How To Shut Down Unnecessary Start Up Programs
Because the links for the "Services" are no longer functioning in the link above, use this one:
Services Guide For Windows XP
How To Clean Unwanted Files From The Hard Drive
After following all the procedures above, run Error Checking/Chkdsk and Defrag to optimize the hard drive:
How To Run 'Error Checking/Chkdsk' On Win2000/XP
Hope this helps.
Grif
random shut downs
by digger1111 - 6/1/05 5:45 PM In reply to: Digger, Sounds Like 'Heat' by Grif Thomas
sorry desktop is what i have and i will try as you suggested and let you know
thanks
Quick check
by Willy - 6/1/05 6:04 PM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111I agree with the other poster, it maybe a heat realted problem. -OR- a weal power supply. Your system at 1000Mhz is dated and that suggests the power supply is on its last legs, plus an AMD cpu were demanding back then. Open case and assure *all fans* are working 100%. Plus, checl under the bios what the "over-temp" setting is and if an alarm mode is present, turn it on and if its goes off is proff of temp problem. Just open the system cover and see if that alone improves operation, if it does, again check fans and/or replace any in doubt. A weak power supply will cause similar problems, especially if its fan is seized(very quiet). Just replace the p/s unit if it is the cause, no repair here. That's h/w faults, if a possible malware at work check with your updated scanner.
tada -----Willy 
My experience
by phantazy - 6/1/05 6:42 PM In reply to: Quick check by WillyI had a similar problem when I ran Intervideo windvd4. Solution was a new memory stick.
(NT) additional or replacement stick???
by AussiePete - 6/1/05 10:50 PM In reply to: My experience by phantazy(NT) Additional 512Mb PC3200 DDR Kingston
by phantazy - 6/3/05 4:26 PM In reply to: (NT) additional or replacement stick??? by AussiePeteOK, by me but....
by Willy - 6/2/05 7:14 AM In reply to: My experience by phantazyIt happens, I don't thought you had the problem and replacing ram cured it.
Here's the deal with "some ram" but not all. While ram needs power all the time, when it actually is working it sucks a little more juice(within limits) and produces heat. The heat or added minor wattage needed to run on demand causes a ram fault though it maybe tested as non-faulty and yes replacement is about the only real test here. Cheap ram is also the cause too often for such or extreme limits of its usage, tweaked/pushed too much. Also, those pgms which use alot of ram to run need stable or consistant ram levels, thus is a mismatched ram set is used it may show its weakness. A match set/pairs is a good idea buying at the same time, quality matters.
enjoy -----Willy
Me Too - But a Surprise Reason
by B. Tharp - 6/3/05 7:38 AM In reply to: OK, by me but.... by WillyI also had a "Grimlen" shutting down my PC. I had a 2.4 Mhz AMD, 1.5 Gig Ram, a 400 watt power supply and many power consuming goodies. I thought that 400 watts was a large enough PS and it is. The problem occurrs when you start adding goodies like USB devices that consume 5volts at many amps. the accumalitive wattage in my case, exceeded the available wattage from the 5 Volt supply without exceeding the wattage rating of the PS. I calculated the wattage used of each of the 12 Volt (plus and minus) the 5 Volts (again plus and minus) and the main board consumption. I was trying to pull 200 watts from a 5 volt source rated at 175 watts! Replacing the PS with a different 450 watt power supply fixed the problem.
Bad UPS?
by aflyboy - 6/3/05 5:20 AM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111Digger,
I fought a similar battle with my (then) new Athlon 2800 machine and I addressed all of the usual suspects to no avail. After enduring several weeks of mysterious reboots I noticed my calico squirrel was playing with the cords on the back of my trusty APC UPS and she seemed to trigger a reboot. Could it be? thought I. Sure enough, my 9-year-old APC finally bit the dust. the slightest bump or vibration caused a reboot. Who'da thought. I replaced it with a new one and it's purred (the PC) ever since...
Aflyboy
..............................
by alkady - 6/3/05 9:56 AM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111well Iam no technophobe lol but i had this prob and went on several very techie sites got some superb help well advice then i opened up the pc air canned it ie cleaned out ALL the dust and now it is fine!
i could not believe it!
All good suggestions here
by DrMicro - 6/3/05 2:54 PM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111Most likely causes are heat and a weak or failing power supply. Also check to make sure there are no large appliances (refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner, heater) on the same circuit as the PC.
If you live in an area where your power may fluctuate or be slightly unstable, you may want to invest in a UPS with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR).
Doctor Micro
bad motherboard
by sctaylorusa - 6/4/05 7:27 AM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111I had the same problem with my 3 month old emachines pc. Eventually emachines replaced the motherboard as per warranty. They never told exactly what the problem was on the motherboard.
half-solution
by lxa - 6/4/05 9:42 PM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111To prevent your computer from rebooting you should do the following:
Go to the Control Panel, double-click "System", open "Advanced" tab and press "Settings" button in "Startup and Recovery" group. Now in opened window uncheck "Automatically restart" checkbox. After these steps Windows will never unexpectedly restart again. Instead you'll see a blue screen with an error message.
This is not really a solution for your problem, because instead of restarting your system will just hang up. However you could write down the error message details (error code, driver name, etc.) and try to search for the solution in Microsoft Knowledge Base.
Had A similar problem
by mchugh1652 - 6/5/05 12:08 PM In reply to: random shutdowns(reboots) by digger1111with my emachine t3042 (cheapie system but faster than all the old p2 and p3 machines I've got laying around) I kept getting the MS caused by a driver error page after reboot. SO I tried thinking back to what I had done to the machine around the time it started happening.. One thing was the installation of MS antispyware beta. Atfer I unistalled that and went back to just Spybot and Ad Aware the problem dissapeared. Have not researched to find out why this was occuring, but I may get toit this week on vacation.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
