• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

My computer keeps rebooting over and over and over!

R

RJHNY1

Member
Hey guys, I have a problem with my computer. It keeps rebooting over and over for no reason.

Here's what you need to know:

-This computer has XP OS.
-The temperature readout on the computer tower shows high 80's, low 90's. The norm is low 80's high 70's. Sometimes lower. This is in fahrenheit.
-This computer is only 1.5 years old.
-I have all of the windows updates.
-The computer has been dusted out and all of the parts have been sprayed clean with a compressed air can.
-ALL of the fans are working.
-It reboots at any time. Whether I'm talking on AIM, playing video games, or just surfing the Internet.


BIOS Hardware Monitor:
Hardware Monitor

MB Temperature: 30 C/86 F
CPU Temperature: 66 C/149 F
VCORE Voltage: 1.68V
+3.3V Voltage: 3.45V
+5V Voltage: 4.73 V
+12V Voltage: 12.73 V
CPU Fan Speed 4440 RPM
Chassis Fan Speed 0 RPM
Power Fan Speed 0 RPM

Q-Fan Control (Disabled)
x Fan Speed Ratio 10/15
x SPeed Up/Down Response Time 4 sec/8 sec

After speaking to a few friends (over the internet), we think it might be the heat sink or the CPU.

What do you guys think? I am no computer expert, so take it an easy with me. 🙂

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Are the TEMPS when it is idle or under a load?

If it is at idle, that CPU temp is WAY TO HIGH.

Assuming that it is either a Intel P4 2-2.8 GHz chip, that vcore voltage
is probably to high (try setting it to 1.5v and see what happens).

If it is an AMD chip, then you need to provide a little more info
(CPU Speed-Model, Motherboard model, Ram brand name-speed, etc)
 
It sounds like you covered most of the basis to help bring your temps down. However, no mention of whether or not you removed the heatsink and cleaned/replaced the thermal compound. Over time, this will dry out, sometimes crack ... and in extreme cases, begin to crumble. When this happens, it becomes more of an insulator to keep the heat in the chip than a thermal conductive bridge to move the heat out and through the heatsink.

When I've had heat issues, the first thing I do would be to verify that everything is clean and in good working order. You've done that part. The next, if the improvements aren't seen ... reseat the heatsink with new thermal compound. That alone should drop the heat some. If heat is still an issue, add case fans to improve the airflow through the case.
 
Turn OFF the automatic restart on crashing so you can see what the blue screen is.

Right click MY Computer, left click Properties. Click Advanced. Click Startup and Recovery. UNCHECK "Automatically Restart" in the System Failure section.

Report back the EXACT blue screen error message....at least the first few lines.
 
I did not remove the heatsink. I don't feel comfortable doing that b/c I don't want to create more problems. I have never done that. I have some experience with computer hardware, but novice stuff like installing a wireless card, putting in RAM, putting in a new video game card...stuff like that.

Slikkster, I'll get back to you in a bit regarding the blue screen.

Thanks again.
 
It's not that hard, just put things back the way you took them off. Usually the heatsink is just clipped on. You just need to unclip it, clean off the old compound, apply new goo, spread it evenly and stick it back on. Don't put too much, just a thin layer.
 
Originally posted by: Payton
It's not that hard, just put things back the way you took them off. Usually the heatsink is just clipped on. You just need to unclip it, clean off the old compound, apply new goo, spread it evenly and stick it back on. Don't put too much, just a thin layer.
Click to expand...

He's right, its not hard. There are basically only three critical things to be careful of.

1) You're careful with the clip. You slip, you could put a screwdriver through the board.

2) Make sure you reconnect the CPU fan.

3) Clean the old ****** off both the heatsink and the cpu with rubbing alcohol or similar cleaning solvent that evaporates clean and quick.

I lied, there's 4 critical steps.

4) DO NOT RE-APPLY NEW THERMAL COMPOUND WITH YOUR BARE FINGER. The oil from your skin becomes a heat barrier.

Just google heatsink installation. You'll find a few guides.

 
Alright, I'll check it out on google.

Slikkster...I already had automatic reboot unchecked, but I never saw a blue screen. It would just reboot and sometimes take me a screen how it didn't start up right and asks me if I want to resume normal windows or go to safe mode. There's usually a 30 second timer until it goes to normal windows unless I press enter or choose something else. Is that the screen you were talking about?
 
What are the hardware details - make/model/CPU/video/etc. ?

Have you done any recent HW modifications internally or externally? Did it behave this way before you cleaned it out?

Have you applied any custom BIOS settings?

What's the make/model of the PSU? How many HD's / what other power-consuming devices do you have?

(It sounds like a HW problem. Much HW diagnosis is done by swapping parts. JohnnyGuru's site has help on selecting a PSU.)
 
Yes, it did act like this before I cleaned it out. I cleaned the computer out because of this.

No custom BIOS.

No modifications done (what's HW).

This is a custom made computer (I specified what I wanted and the company made it).

Just 1 hard drive. AMD Athlon computer.

Basically, one day, it just decided to start rebooting on its own. I have not downloaded/installed anything recently that would cause it.
 
Originally posted by: Slikkster
Turn OFF the automatic restart on crashing so you can see what the blue screen is.

Right click MY Computer, left click Properties. Click Advanced. Click Startup and Recovery. UNCHECK "Automatically Restart" in the System Failure section.

Report back the EXACT blue screen error message....at least the first few lines.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

An overheated computer will not restart right away since it needs time to cool off.
Let us know what the bluescreen error message is once you disable Automatic Restart.

EDIT: Just saw this now in the mess of the thread.
Originally posted by: RJHNY1
Slikkster...I already had automatic reboot unchecked, but I never saw a blue screen. ...
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by: RJHNY1
Hey guys, I have a problem with my computer. It keeps rebooting over and over for no reason.

MB Temperature: 30 C/86 F
CPU Temperature: 66 C/149 F
VCORE Voltage: 1.68V
+3.3V Voltage: 3.45V
+5V Voltage: 4.73 V
+12V Voltage: 12.73 V
CPU Fan Speed 4440 RPM
Chassis Fan Speed 0 RPM
Power Fan Speed 0 RPM
Click to expand...

The +5v line looks a bit low to me. Have you tried a different PSU?


 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top