Computer restarts from time to time

[JIlVll3O]

My computer randomly restarts time to time. I generally notice this when I am: 1) downloading a lot of stuff at once or 2) playing a game for 10 minutes and then it restarts on me in the middle. I'm not too sure if this is any help, but I hear a click click type sound when it does restart. I've been told it was either my memory or power supply that could be the problem, what should I do?

 

[AMDfreak]

Got a few questions for ya. Do you overclock your system? Random reboots are a sign of an unstable OC. What are your system specs? If using more than 1 memory module, try using 1 at a time. For the PSU, see if you can borrow one from a friend to see if that helps.

 

[Rav3n]

THe click could be made by a UPS or APC or other surge protector - if thats where the noise is coming from, then it could be that when your computer is using lots of power, it actually overloads the circuit - in which case you might want to just try plugging your computer into a new outlet (one on a different circuit) - or you might want to try not using your APC/surge protector - just for a short while - yours might be defective.

 

[JIlVll3O]

My system specs are:
Motherboard: Soyo Dragon SY-P4X400 Dragon Ultra
CPU: Pentium 4 2.4GHz
HD: Maxtor 60GB
Memory: Crucial 512 PC-2700 DDR Ram
Video: 128MB GeForce4 TI-4200

As for overclocking I'm not overclocking so that shouldn't be the problem, and I'm just using 1 memory module, i'll try and borrow a friend's PSU to check...

Rav3n, I'll plug the computer into a different port and see what happens.

Thanks guys I'll let you know what happens.

 

[GoingUp]

What operating system are you using? WinXP reboots by default instead of showing BSODs

 

[Rav3n]

Another suggestion - though it shouldn't be the case, your cmos battery might be dying/bad. It usually takes many years for this to happen, (I have a 7 year old dell that is still going hehe) but if this is the case, there might be the prob - HIGHLY unlikely though.

The WinXP rebooting thing is a good thing to check - right on Gobadgrs

 

[JIlVll3O]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
What operating system are you using? WinXP reboots by default instead of showing BSODs

I'm running Windows XP. How do I check to see if this is being done by default?

 

[blueribb]

Actually, Windows XP does do the BSOD before rebooting itself. It's just a little different than Win95/98.

I've seen it about 10 times in the last year for no apparent reason.

The "click" you hear may be the strongest clue to your problem though. If you just get a reboot without the BSOD
I would suspect a mechanical problem like a bad hard drive (disk chatter) or a failing fan (CPU or PS).

You could run your computer with the case open to see if it helps. It may be a heat related problem.

Good Luck

 

[JIlVll3O]

I had one of my friends take a look at the computer, and he says it might be due to power supply. Since the power supply came with the case that I bought, it is a generic power supply. He say is has something to do with the:

O/P: DC Voltage +12V Max output current rating of 12A and how it should be a minimum of 15A.

I asked another friend and he said minimum should be 15A also. Can this be the problem? I checked the CPU temperature it only fluctuates at about 40C at all times when I'm running anything.

 

[blueribb]

When troubleshooting computer problems, it's good to have spare parts to try - like power supplies, memory, cables, etc.

You'll find the problem through process of elimination.

Make a check list and go through it one by one.

There aren't that many components.

Also, don't go by the ratings stamped on a power supply. Alot of times they are meaningless.
Just start with a heavy, quality brand name supply (ANTEC, Enlight, Sparkle).
A quality power supply weighs in at around 4 lbs.

 

[JIlVll3O]

Yeah I'm probably going to get an Enermax power supply. But I also think it might be due to another reason. I notice this mainly when playing games so can this be a video card problem? I updated all the NVIDIA drivers and everything for it. Using a GeForce4 Ti-4200 8x. Because the computer will just restart no BSOD or anything in the middle of a game. Rigth now, not running anything requiring a great amount of graphics so computer is working perfectly fine. Can this be the real problem?

 

[Looney]

Yeah, it could very well be the powersupply... but if you're hearing a click, i'd say it might be the harddrive. Take off the case and put it near you, and see if the clicking is from the hdd just before the reboot.