[Bolo]

Hello there, I've a desktop PC that randomly restarts without any warnings or error messages, this is becoming really annoying and I have no idea what's wrong with it. I recently change the power supply but the problem persists and I have all the latest drivers installed in it. I have AVG 8.0, Spyware Doctor and CA Anti-Virus but they don't detect any problem. I recently wiped out the hard drive and reinstall Windos ( XP Professional ) but nothing, any suggestions please?

[rgreen4]

Bolo - a few questions.

1. How often does the PC do this? (Times per day).

2. What are the machine specifications - particulary the memory. How many and what size memory modules are installed?

[alchav21]

Hi Bolo,

Yes, we need some computer details, and this is not normal says your computer is very unstable. When did this start happening, it's usually Hardware. You have to pull everything off except for Processor, Memory, Graphics, and Power. Then tell us if it still reboots.

[Bolo]

Sometimes when I start my computer it restarts and every 3 to 4 hours it restarts too, it's very weird, I have 4 slots of 1GB installed on it, tHE MICRO IT'S AND iNTEL pENTIUM 4 and it has a 512 MB video card, hope you can help me.

[Bolo]

I already did that and it did not reboot for a week but then it satrted rebooting again.

[mcbarker]

Sounds like it might be a cooling problem. Did you check all of the cooling fans to see if they're all working? Is the computer located near a heating source (heater, heating vent, or other electrical equipment which tends to run hot)? Did you make sure all of the air vents are clear, and that there's no dust clogging anything up? Does the CPU have its own cooling fan, or does it only have a heatsink, and if so, have you checked to make sure that it's properly seated (with thermal grease)?

[mcbarker]

Another thing that comes to mind... Sounds like you have an older system which you've upgraded. What is the power rating of your PSU, and which video card do you have?

[alchav21]

Well Bolo, when you pull everything off what you are trying to do is find the problem Hardware. You didn't give us enough details on your computer, but it sounds like a Home Built Pentium 4, with 1Gb of RAM and a 512Mb Graphics Card. We need model number of MB, type Memory, and Model of Graphics Card. To me it sounds more like a Heat problem, if it's rebooting after 3 or 4 hours of operation. When did this rebooting start, how old is the computer, has it always rebooted? Tell us about your Power Supply too, it should be okay since it runs for 3 hours. Check all the fans in your computer.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :



You said you have 2 antivirus programs ( AVG & CA ) , which "conflict" with each other &

is a security no-no . Should completely REMOVE One of them and see if the random

restarts cease !? And adding Spyware Doctor to the "mix" can put excessive "stress" on

a computer .

[Bolo]

I have checked all cooling fans and they are all working, the computer it's not located near a heating source, all the air vents are clear and there's no dust clogging anything up, the CPU has it's own cooling fan, now I did not see any thermal grease so I don't know if it's properly seated, what its this thermal cooling you are talking about?

[mcbarker]

Thermal grease (or paste) is the stuff thats sparingly applied to the top of the CPU (to conduct heat from the CPU to the heatsink), then the heatsink is firmly placed on top of the CPU and grease, then locked into place. If the CPU is the original one installed on the MB, and the heatsink/fan hasn't been removed, then there shouldn't be a thermal grease problem. On the other hand, if you removed the heatsink, and replaced it without applying thermal grease, that would cause your CPU to overheat, eventually frying the CPU.
Also, as Spiritwind mentioned, you should only have one antivirus program installed on your system. More than one will cause a conflict between the two programs.

[rgreen4]

One of the most common sudden random restarts is memory problems. This restart is often characterized by a sudden shutdown of the machine as if the power plug had been pulled followed immediately by a cold re-boot.

You never answered the question of exactly how many memory modules you have installed and what memory level.

[alchav21]

Bolo, you have to be clear on your computer details, what kind of computer do you have and model number. If it's a Home Built MB and Model. You said you have 4 slots for Memory and 1Gb in each slot or 1Gb total. So you either have 1Gb or 4Gb total, this is very important because it sounds like you have Memory incompatibility problems.

[coastie65]

That was my take after reading this ( 4 x I Gb modules), and I agree that there could well be a mismatch problem. Without the MOBO specs, we have no way of determining what is the proper memory speed that should be in there and you have provided no details on what IS in there regarding the memory speed. coastie65

[Bolo]

Hey, I think that's the problem, I did removed the heatsink and I did replaced it without appying thermal grease, do you know where can I get this thermal grease?

[coastie65]

Hi bolo, You can get the Thermal Compound (TMC ) where ever you buy computer stuff such as HDD's, Video Cards, and etc. Maybe Circuit City or Best Buy or some such place that carries a big line of stuff for building computers. I think most would recommend Arctic Silver 5. You should use some alcohol wipes to clean what ever may be left on the processor and heatsink and with AS 5, you only need about enough the size of a 1/2 grain of rice and no more. coastie65

[Bolo]

thanks for the help, now here is my computer information.

BIOS VERSION: BF86510A.86A.0077.P25

Processor Type: Intel ® Pentium ® 4

Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz

System Bus Speed: 533 MHz

System Memory Speed: 333 MHz

L2 Chache RAM: 1MB

Total Memory: 4096 MB

Memory Mode: Dual Channel

Memory Channel A Slot 0 1024 MB (DDR 400)

[coastie65]

Hi Bolo, Could you give us the make and model # of the motherboard. You are showing a memory bus speed of 333 Mhz, and Channel A slot 0 1024 DDR 400 Mhz. Up above, it shows total memory of 4096 Mb, I am assuming that is the total it will hold and not what is installed and that 1024 mb is what is installed. I would like to get things sorted out as far as the memory goes in there. coastie

[alchav21]

Bolo you're getting better, but we need Motherboard name and model. Let's clarify one thing, is this a Home Built or not. If it's not then we need computer manufacturer name and model. If it is a Home Built, it's getting obvious you didn't build it. I still think it's Memory, and not thermal grease, unless you upgraded the Processor without it.

[bclautz]

What I would do is go to your office supplies store are buy a can of compress air. then open your PC case then spary it around inside of the case. plus, make sure you spary the power supply.