Community Newsletter: Q&A: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts
- 4/27/06 6:13 PM
This Happened to me as well!
by NAVY_ETC - 4/28/06 7:24 AM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Built the PC myself, tried everything suggested in other threads. Changed Memory, reformat, etc..) The case I used came with it's own generic PSU rated at 450W. when I swapped the PSU with a brand name rated at 400W, the problem stopped.
auto restarts without a source
by iscnitzan - 4/28/06 9:18 AM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had an annoying restart issue and suspected many components like the power supply, memory failure, intermitent internal electrical cabling, overheating
of the CPU, etc. However, I found the culprit by accident: when I moved the computer, it turned off.
I found the PS female connector had some corrosion, and used a contact cleaner.
Been working great even since.
This happened to me too -- rebooting randomly
by quietthyme60 - 4/28/06 12:29 PM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I thought it might just be a Gateway "thing". I had one that started doing it very infrequently. As time went on, it became more frequent. Took it into Gateway store (still under warranty) and they replaced power supply. Because they had to keep that pc for a week (can you believe that long ?? Had I known it was just the power supply, I would have done it myself!!) I bought another Gateway as I needed it for work. Sure enough, near the end of the warranty on that Gateway, it started to do the same thing.Most of my peripherals were different, had changed from cable to DSL, so there werent too many common strings between the two, other than both were Gateways. I didnt even bother with anymore Gateways. I just built my own computer and gave up !!! But I sure was surprised to see so many responses !! Well, if it has to do with heat, my new pc has a guage on the front and two fans inside !!
Random Reboot
by belair57 - 4/28/06 6:05 PM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had this problem with both of my Emachines. Each time the reboots were progressively shorter in time span until the hard drive failed. Emachines put in five hard drives in one year, all Western Digital, all junk. After warranty was up I bought a Maxtor for both and have never had it again. Since then I bought two Western Digital drives as slave drives and they are in the trash also. I have had these machines running on Maxtor for almost three years now without a problem. If you have a Western Digital drive I would suspect it before anything else.
Head off the problem
by Richard Schales - 4/28/06 6:39 PM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I find that the reason for the phisical meltdowns on PC's is the instabilities.
a. turning the PC off when not used and on to use it is hard on the components, because of inconsistant temperature and moisture issues.
b. cooling is vitle to these components for example.
I keep my CPU's temperature under 100 degrees F at all times.The motherboard and drives also under 100.
c. Although high heat can and will damage a PC.
so also cold starts and moisture when not running for a length of time.
It is best to let the machine run. I have 5 PC's that have been running for many years large cabinets and 2 cooling fans on the power, supper cooling for the CPU, and 2in front of the tower, and 2 in back.
A REAL GOOD COOLING GREASE IS VERY VITLE
This will head off problems from heat as well as moisture, which was probably the main culprit and now you are experiancing the results.
Richard G
It might be a bad video card
by philco2 - 4/29/06 11:46 AM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I was having the same random reboot problems that you are describing. Mine turned out to be a dieing video card. Once I replaced my video card, and upgraded at the same time, I haven't had that problem since!!
random re-start of computer
by kikus29 - 5/1/06 12:03 AM In reply to: This happened to me, here's what solved my problem by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
this problem was there with me when I got a new computer assembled. I went for 915 original mother board and the CPU. i was in litteral tears when working on some important work, the system will restart automatically. all the work is lost. I started doing R&D. I disconnected all the peripherals and th additional cards. Started oner by one. But nothing hapopened. i changed my mother board, i changed my CPU, I changed my hard disk and what not, but could not detect the problem. So one day I decided to upgrade my RAM. It was observed then that the RAM was playing the havock. So if you have any problem like this then look for the RAM first. The RAMs available in market are spurious and they creat havoc.
I had same problem and I solved it
by eamorales - 4/28/06 1:55 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a Gateway Desktop I forget what model but its 3 years old..Mine was restarting randomly also.I tried everything that was listed reformated and took computer apart cleaned it completely..but my problem was a faulty wire on my power button(the wire that goes from power button to mother board).What I did was turn the computer on and unplug the power button from the mother board and now it stays on with out rebooting.
Easy Steps To Help, my computer randomly restarts
by YungJoc87 - 4/28/06 1:55 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Couple of easy issues I have dealt with in the past.
Do a search for file and folders on your drive type in *.net or dotnet.
Sounds like you have an old virus that many spywares and ante viruses fail to pick up. If you have the old virus this would explain the rebot and the clock change as well as other weird system activity. Also check symantec to see how to wipe out the virus complety.
If you have it, you might consider just putting a new hard drive.
Also check all softwares that you have set to auto updates, then tend to run in the back ground and some files require a rebot.
Be worth your while to through in a new battery as they are low cost. Hope this helps.
Computer restarts
by smithjp3 - 4/28/06 2:05 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Derek, it is a problem with the heatsink retension assembly as the computer restarting randomly indicates a cooling problem and since you have already indicated no viruses on your system. Change the cpu fan and heatsink assembly and your problem will be resolved.
Memory and dust
by TonyGore - 4/28/06 2:24 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have found that memory and dust are prime suspects for this sort of problem (after power supply).
Dust - collects on the memory chips reducing the airflow and so these get hotter.
Sometimes taking the memory out and plugging it back in "wipes" the contacts giving a better connection.
Sometimes replacing the memory might be necessary. One cause is if the timing on the memory is marginal (overclockers beware), then it works for a good while before starting to become erratic. The cause is that with marginal timing, one thing is switching off at the same time that anither is switching on (put simply). This causes very large currents to flow. Where the tiny wires (bond wires) inside the memory chip packaging join the chip, these extra currents cause "metal migration" i.e. some of the metal moves from the wire to the chip. This causes the wire to become thinner, which increases the inductance and makes the signal pass down it more slowly, which in turn makes the problem worse.
As someone suggested, a memory test program is worth doing. I found a problem with error correcting memory that was only a few months old (not overclocked, I hasten to add), so it can happen on even new equipment.
Try this
by r_rayjr - 4/28/06 2:50 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Even though you said you did a scan with your Antivirus program it could still be a virus problem. Remember something Virus will do something to make you antivirus program not detect it or even turn it off, but some how so that it is still on. Or what ever it does.
Any way I would go to Norton’s security website and run their online scan. It will not remove any virus it may find. But once you find out what it is you can look it up in Norton’s Virus catalog area and there it will tell you how to remove it.
Also if you want you can also do this in Safe Mode. Make sure, when you go into Safe more you choose the option with the internet connections. I do not remember what it is called. But on my Dell, 8250 there are 3 or 4 options for what type of Safe Mode you want to run. And then I would go to the link below and run the online virus scan. This way if your computer problem is from a virus, then the virus should not load and run in this Safe Mode. And you should not have to worry about it randomly restarting during the scan. If it still restarts in Safe Mode then it might be one of the other problems that some of the others said, like the cooling fan or what ever.
And just incase you do not know how it go into Safe Mode, here is what is said to do at dell Website. http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1027295&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=&s=gen#6
Starting the Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System in Safe Mode:
Turn on the computer
Immediately begin tapping the <F8> key.
Use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode and press the <Enter> key.
NOTE: To exit Safe Mode, click the Start button, click Turn Off Computer, click Restart.
here is the link for the online Virus scan
www.security.symantec.com
SORRY, Bad Link
by r_rayjr - 4/28/06 3:02 AM In reply to: Try this by r_rayjrI just tried the link I gave for www.security.symantec.com. And it did not work. But if the Norton Antivirus 2006 you have is like the 2005 I have then all you have to do to get to the online scan is click on the "Help & Support" button on the upper right hand corner of the Antivirus screen. Then click on "Symantec Security Check" this will open a window to the webpage and you will have two things you can pick, click on "Virus Detection".
This will get you to where the link I gave in the last post was suppose to have taken you. I do not know why it did not work.
Reseating devices?
by megakilljoy - 4/28/06 2:52 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I haven't read all the posts, but have all of the internal components of the device been reseated? I know it's basic, but it's still worth mentioning.
My computer randomly restarts
by rswinnen - 4/28/06 3:11 AM In reply to: 4/28/06 Help, my computer randomly restarts by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Controleer je RAM memory, de SDDR latjes geven slecht contact.
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