Computer Random Restarts, and Other Assorted Problems

[TheCyrus]

Hey guys.
I've got a Compaq Presario running Windows XP Home edition SP2.
Its got a 2+ Ghz Processor and 768 MB RAM, along with an 80 GB Hd, and a 256 MB ATi Radeon AGP Graphics Card.

But about once a day, my computer will either freeze requiring me to turn it off by unplugging it, or it will restart and return with a "The system has recovered from a serious error" message box, and one time, it froze and went to a BSOD, but that has only happened once. My question is what is causing this. I have already checked for Spyware (with SpyBot S-D, Ad-Aware, and MSFT AntiSpyware [all with up-to-date definitions]), and Viruses (McAfee Stinger, AVG Free (with up-to-date definitions) and TrendMicro online scan) but my computer had neither. Thanks for all the help.

 

[sieistganzfett]

its random as in even doing nothing, what about gaming? does it do it then? is the power supply enough for your pc? if u could, try a 400+ watt one, i think compaq gives something really weak, that could be the source. if you want, you can try reinstalling windows first and seeing if that fixes it, when did it start doing this stuff?was it after adding more hardware?

 

[TheCyrus]

Thanks for the quick reply.
It does not do it while gaming surprisingly. The power supply is enough, it had been replaced with a 300 watt power supply. And this problem started after I formatted my hd and installed windows last time.

 

[Steaksauce]

What model ATI do you have? Most of the newer lines of video cards have 256MBs. What brand and model psu is it? Just because it's 300Watts, doesn't mean it'll work good. Depending on your video card, that 300W won't do it. Yeah, so give us better specs like what type of processor it is (what's 2+?) and how many sticks of memory, each one's size, brand, and speed.

You should memtest86 it to see if they are stable.

 

[TheCyrus]

Its an ATi Radeon 9550. And i know it's got 2 PC2700 sticks of RAM, one begin 256 MB the other being 512 MB. The processor is 2.2 Ghz.

 

[BadThad]

First thing to do, open the case have a look around. Clean all the dust out, make sure all the fans are spinning and reseat EVERYTHING connected to the mobo.....don't just feel that it's tight, pull it all the way out and put it back in.

 

[BadThad]

Originally posted by: Steaksauce
What model ATI do you have? Most of the newer lines of video cards have 256MBs. What brand and model psu is it? Just because it's 300Watts, doesn't mean it'll work good. Depending on your video card, that 300W won't do it. Yeah, so give us better specs like what type of processor it is (what's 2+?) and how many sticks of memory, each one's size, brand, and speed.

You should memtest86 it to see if they are stable.

300W is LOW by todays standards (400-650W) and wattage means NOTHING. The numbers to look at are the current's at each voltage. There's a chance your power supply is not getting the job done....but let's rule out a few other things first.

 

[Steaksauce]

Yeah, I have to agree with 300W not being enough these days but a 9550 isn't as power hungry as others, so I think it will suffice as long as the PSU is from a quality manufacturer and 12V(s) are plentiful. Now only if the OP can tell us the model of the PSU...

From the time that you replaced the PSU and reformatted the OS, how much time in between? Did you do them on the same day? If so, PSU is still in the picture, but we should look at other things like hard drive failure.

chkdsk it from "Run" yet?

 

[TheCyrus]

I'm thinking its the PSU. But i reformated the OS about 10 months ago, and the PSU a good while before that. I got a blue screen and this error today:

MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
***STOP: 0X0000009C(0X00000000, 0X805535F0, 0XA2000000, 0X84010400)

 

[Steaksauce]

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329284

Four possibilities:

? You are running the processor or mainboard beyond its specifications. For example, you are overclocking the processor or bus. We recommend that you run your hardware at the manufacturer-rated speeds.
? Noisy power, overstressed power strips, outmatched power supplies and failing power supplies can destabilize your computer. Make sure that you have a stable, reliable power supply to your computer.
? Extreme thermal conditions caused by the failure of cooling devices such as fans may damage your computer. Make sure that your cooling devices are all working.
? You have damaged memory or memory that is not the correct type for your computer. If you recently changed the memory configuration, revert to the previous configuration to determine what is wrong. Make sure that you are using the correct memory for your computer.

 

[TheCyrus]

..ok. Is there anyway to run a hardware check that can tell me with almost 100% certainty how to which it is?

 

[Steaksauce]

Memory: memtest86
HD: Run> chkdsk /f

Only if there was that computer that can do such a thing with 100% accuracy.

 

[TheSophist]

I believe it is your memory. The suggestion to run a memory test is quite good, but at the same time I have seen memory sticks that were able to pass the memtest while still being faulty. If you can borrow another stick of memory, swap your old one out and see if your system still shows the same symptoms. Let us know how it goes.



TheSophist

 

[DetroitSportsFan]

It sounds to me like you're pushing the limits of your power supply. Its working real hard, and producing some heat. Add to that, a layer of dust, and now we have an over-heating condition for your psu ... which is enough to make your psu unstable.

You can check your ram, however, this one does sound very much like a power issue.

 

[TheCyrus]

Yeah, i might change out the power supply

New error:
MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION
***STOP: 0X0000008E(0XC000005, 0XF730CIF, 0XA65DDB98, 0X00000000)
Ntfs.sys-Address. F730C11F base at F72E0000
Datestamp(not sure about this one, can't read my own handwriting)41107EEQ