Community Newsletter: Q&A: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes!
- 5/9/08 1:48 PM
vishnu
by vdsx - 4/26/08 3:27 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
just check my ram id\
Rebooting Every 10-20 Minutes
by waytron - 4/26/08 3:51 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There are many issues, both in hardware and software, that can cause your computer to suddenly shut down and reboot every 10 or 20 minutes.
Windows Error
Application Software Error
Bad Memory
Failing or Stressed Power supply
Overheating
Defected System Board
Bad Processor
The first thing you want to do is try to determine if there is any identifiable error that is causing your problem or at least might give you a hint as to what is wrong. So first you want to turn OFF the option that tells Windows to keep Rebooting when it encounters an error so that you can actually view the exact error message. I am going to assume that you are running Windows XP since you did not specify. Right Click on MY COMPUTER and select PROPERTIES > Click on the ADVANCED tab > Click on Settings in the Start up and Recovery section at the bottom > In the System Failure Section, Uncheck the box for Automatically restart and then make sure the box is checked for Write an Event to the System Log. Once you have changed this setting, the computer should stop at a Blue Error screen the next time the computer has a problem. Once you are armed with an error code, you can search Google to get an idea of what might be wrong.
You said that you replaced the memory so that most likely rules out memory and you reformatted the hard drive which would typically rule out both the hard drive and most application errors. It probably also rules out a problem with Windows itself. I am just assuming that your installed a fresh copy of Windows and no applications yet. So it really leaves you with the two most likely hardware issues which are power supply and overheating.
POWER SUPPLY
I would try swapping out your power supply with a new one. Power supplies are fairly cheap and you should be able to get one for about $30. But if you don’t have a new power supply to try then you can experiment by reducing the load on your current power supply but removing all none essential items from the system. Unplugging all USB devices, remove PCI cards that are not absolutely essential such as Modems, Sound and network cards. Unplug the power to any CD and DVD drives. All you really need connected is your Hard Drive, Video, Mouse and keyboard. Reboot and see it the problem is still there?
OVERHEATING
Since you said that you already replaced the memory, I have to assume you have already been inside your computer and cleaned out the computer and did not notice any dust clogged vents or heat sinks. But just in case you did not really look around take a good look and check for clogged vents and heat sinks. Look for any fans that are unplugged. With the cover off, power on the computer and check to make sure all fans are running smoothly. If everything looks good, you can try setting up an auxiliary fan such as a table fan and aiming it into the case to see if it helps or buys you some extra time. If it helps then it would indicate that it is a cooling issue. Some motherboards will have temperature readings available in the bios that may give you some indication.
SOFTWARE ISSUES
If you suspect that it might be a software related issue. The first thing you want to do is check all the Windows Event Logs for any errors that just might give you a clue. Click on START > CONTROL PANEL > ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS > EVENT VIEWER and select each category to see if you can find a clue. Try looking around the time or just prior to when the computer last rebooted on its own.
Does the computer have the same problem when running in Safe Mode? Restart the computer and press the F8 key to get to the menu and select Safe mode. If your problem goes away in Safe Mode then follow the section to isolate the problem. If your problem goes away in Safe Mode then continue on the MSCONFIG below. If not it is probably hardware related.
USE MSCONFIG TO ISOLATE THE PROBLEM
Turn off all startup Items in MSCONFIG. START > RUN > type MSCONFIG > click on OK > Select the Startup Tab > Select DISABLE ALL > Select OK and then you will be instructed to reboot. If the problem goes away, you can then methodically turn back ON each item in the startup list, one at a time, until you find the one that is causing your problem.
If that does not work, then we need to turn off all NON-Windows services. Go back into MSCONFIG. START > RUN > type MSCONFIG > click on OK > Click on the SERVICES tab and check the box that says HIDE ALL MICROSOFT SERVICES > Now select DISABLE ALL > Click on OK and Reboot the computer. If this resolves your problems then go back and turn on services until you find the problem.
If you still can not find the problem, you pretty much have to assume that it is a problem with the motherboard or processor and probably would not be worth fixing. By the way, if you do find the problem and get back up and running, I would strongly urge you to upgrade that memory to 512meg. Trying to run Windows XP on 256meg of ram is just such a strain. You don’t need to go crazy but for about $25 you can double it to 512. It will be the best $25 you ever spent.
Good Luck and please let us know how you make out.
Dana
Wayland Computer
also it ken bo the cooler
by albani333 - 5/3/08 3:46 AM In reply to: Rebooting Every 10-20 Minutes by waytronthe coller is a part of motherbord that makes processor colder if the cooler have problems than u have to change it because the temp. of pc goes up and and thats why u the pc reboot
That's the most stupid answer I've ever heard
by tanukisoba87 - 5/3/08 5:14 AM In reply to: also it ken bo the cooler by albani333Overheating problem eventually either lead your computer to blue screen or shutdown without reboot since the heat is over the registered temperature that is known by your hardware AND it's driver AND the windows.
What !?
by bruceslog - 5/4/08 10:24 AM In reply to: Rebooting Every 10-20 Minutes by waytronWhy the disable all in MSConfig startup menu advice to the Op ?
Just Boot up in "Safe mode" !!
duh ?
That isn't a bad idea
by bdavis096 - 5/5/08 9:10 AM In reply to: What !? by bruceslogIf you think the responding person missed a good suggestion, you have the right to add that the Op should also try booting into Safe Mode. By adding the "duh?", you sound condescending and rude.
There is a pretty big difference between Safe Mode and disabling everything in MSConfig startup. Safe Mode loads generic drivers for all hardware. Everything in MSConfig startup isn't driver related as much as it is application related. Using Safe Mode is good to see if the computer can boot with generic drivers and no startup programs and can stay running longer than the 10 to 20 minutes. If that test passes, then booting into Windows normally and starting to look at things in MSConfig is actually a good idea. Who knows, there might be a program (virus, etc) that loads at startup that forces the computer to reboot every 10 to 20 minutes.
The downside of disabling things in MSConfig startup is that sometimes you don't know what they go to. The startup item might have a name that is totally random, but actually be associated with your anti-virus program or other needed startup item. By disabling those things, that means your anti-virus scanner, windows defender, etc aren't starting up with windows. That could compromise your system. That is where the internet is usually very helpful. Most of those programs can be googled and sites like liutilities.com can give very good information on the program and if it is needed for windows startup.
With various versions of Win 9x, I can remember disabling things in MSConfig so my computer would boot faster and not load as much into memory. I don't know if that was the proper thing to do, but it seemed to do what I wanted.
Heat or power supply problem.
by dickweed101 - 5/10/08 2:00 AM In reply to: Rebooting Every 10-20 Minutes by waytronMy first suspicion would be that the PC is overheating. I had seen this before on my brother's computer and only when ge purchased a water cooled fan, did it solve the problem.
I did in one other instance find an interesting variant to this. We had purchased a brand new machine, specs don't matter in this case, but what did was that it had a SATA hard drive which was new to our environment.
The new PC would reboot at random points. We took it back to the store where we purchased it about 6 times and every time it worked fine in the store. Emparassed with the 7th time, I moved the computer from the office it was in to a different office, and sure enough it worked fine.
I determined that it had to be something to do with the (original) office it was in, and that had to be electricity supply in there. I hired an electrician and determined that the machine was not getting the full 220 volts (we are in Europe of course) but significantly less.
I later read that if the SATA drive does not get all the juice it needs to work, it just shuts down unlike the other IDE drives we had in our offices.
So check the voltage!
Answer for Santhsh --Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10-20
by doctori - 4/26/08 4:29 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Try eliminating heat related problems first. Shut down the computer. Remove the case. After an hour's cool down, leaving the case off, restart and let it run. Several things will cause a spontaineous shut down with the main ones being a CPU overheat, video card overheat, and power supply overheat. By simply removing the case you will drop the internal heat buildup by 30% minimum. If your computer runs without shut down normally with the case off, you need additional case cooling. There are sevearal places you can install additional fans depending on your case size and manufacturer, check with a local computer repair for assistance.
If the problem persists, then I suspect you have a software routine attempting to start/run that is completely incompatible with your operating system. Use msconfig.exe to launch Selective Startup as others have suggested, and eliminate everything but core programs during start-up.
Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10-20 minutes!
by brunobrown - 4/26/08 5:28 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
have you checked if your cooling fans PSU and CPU are working and is there a lot of dust in the vanes of the CPU heat sink
Bruno Brown
rebooting every 10-20 minutes
by prateekkhanna20 - 4/26/08 5:34 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
THEN THERE IS THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR MOTHERBOARD WHICH GETS HEATED VERY NORMALLY .NOW U SHOULD CHANGE YOUR MOTHERBOARD TO INTEL DUO CORE THERE IS NOT ANY PROBLEM OF HEATING AMD MAIN PROBLEM THAT ITS MOTHERBOARD GETS HEATED NOW I THINK U SHOULD SWITCH TO INTEL THE BEST ONE .
Answer for Santhsh --Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10-20
by mackdl - 4/26/08 5:51 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
With no more information than you have provided this may be difficult to diagnois. You do not mention what OS you are using or wheather the machine is just standing idle and doing this or while in use, however, the first thing I would recommend is check the capacitors on the system board. Open the unit up and carefully check all the capacitors for leakage or domed tops. The tops of the capacitors should be flat. Awhile back there was a rash of system boards that had be produced with faulty capacitors that over time would bulge on the top and eventually begin leaking, which would cause a host of malfunctions of the machines. On the other hand if you are using the machine when the reboots occur and the capacitors are not the problem my nest suggestion would be memory. Don't change memory add it. I have a desktop that was running XP with 512Mb of memory and would randomly reboot at the most inoppotune times. I tried everything I knew to do and even went to help forums and tried there remedies to no avail. I finally added more memory,which hurt the pocket book since it is Ram Bus Ram, and pretty much solved the problem. Anyway hope you get it working and this helps in doing so.
Checking PC Temperature
by jjbarriga - 4/26/08 5:58 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My computer was rebooting and even it decided not to work anymore, and rebooting from begining. I checked the fan and it was totally full of dust. I cleaned it and it work perfectly for now.
Did you checked that your computer temperature is stable or increases once you work for a while?
PC Rebooting
by mhennard - 4/26/08 5:58 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I had a computer do the same thing only every 5 minutes. I changed the power supply and all is well. Make sure the new power supply has sufficient power to run your pc's configuration.
System re-booting
by jstrom1 - 4/26/08 6:02 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dear Santhsh - Could this problem be caused by adding a piece of hardward to your pc that the power supply cannot handle? This happened to me when I tinkered with an old pc. I removed the original hard drive and installed a bigger one. It then showed the same symptoms as those you have described. It finally dawned on me that the power supply couldn't handle the larger drive. I installed a bigger power supply - problem solved. Best of luck. jstrom1
u r pc problem
by Dr khan - 4/26/08 6:13 AM In reply to: Help! My PC keeps rebooting every 10 to 20 minutes! by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
dear sanths
i hope u fine as usullay
u r pc have main board problem ur chipset not work properly so u change u r main board of u r pc
thankx and regard
dr khan
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