Help! My Computer restarts continuously!

[Freewill2003]

I have a serious issue with my computer, which I am running Windows 98 SE, that for the past few months the computer restarts continuously. Although I have not kept a log of everytime this happens, but when it behaves like this, it will restart at startup(Windows booting) and then its back to normal, but also whenever I am performing a task, such as surfing the web, writing emails, or even typing up a resume, the system restarts automatically. I know there is a problem, I'm not so sure what can be cause this problem. I have already scanned my system for viruses, that the results was no viruses were detected.
Now, could the system have corrupted configuration settings or damaged files? If I need to Format the hard drive, I need to know how to do it correctly and what kind files I need to back up. Because I don't currently have a system restore diskette to restore the computer.
Let me know if I need to submit more info, Thanks a bunch!!

Freewill2003

 

[CTho9305]

Try memtest86 to see if it's a hardware issue. If that turns out to be the case, it'll save you a lot of time. If your hardware is ok, then it will only take a few minutes.

 

[Freewill2003]

Alright, how do I run Memtest86?

 

[Abzstrak]

download and run it, google is your friend.

 

[corkyg]

Here is something easy to try. Remove your memory and clean it! Then replace it. Sometimes a lot of dust and dirt coats memory and makes it run hotter than it should - the result is frequent rebooting.

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: corky-g
Here is something easy to try. Remove your memory and clean it! Then replace it. Sometimes a lot of dust and dirt coats memory and makes it run hotter than it should - the result is frequent rebooting.

If memtest fails, you can try this. If memtest doesn't fail, don't bother. In general though, memory is not really affected by temperature.

 

[corkyg]

In general though, memory is not really affected by temperature.

I have seen first hand 3 different systems where it definitely was a factor (heat.) If not, why do we have memory coolers and heat spreaders on DIMM sticks?

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: corky-g

In general though, memory is not really affected by temperature.

I have seen first hand 3 different systems where it definitely was a factor (heat.) If not, why do we have memory coolers and heat spreaders on DIMM sticks?

I have also seen problems with RAM if it gets to hot, however he is right in that it generally is not an issue. The heat of your RAM can become an issue when you OC.

-Spy