Random computer reboot

[nicebutt]

I have a Gigabyte GA-8ihxp P4 2.4B 533 buss running windows 2kSP3 with all updates. Antec 430 watt PS and on a battery backup, MSI 4600 video card.
The computer can be on all day and run without a problem. Then whatever you are doing... i.e. maybe even just move the mouse, the screen goes black and computer reboots, you could just be looking on the net , or typing in a program .....BAM!!! reboot.
Any ideas on what to try or what the problem may be?

 

[jagr10]

I have almost the same problem. Instead of rebooting my screen changes to some weird colors and i'm forced to reboot. It happened so frequently and a friend told me it was my ram. Since i had two 256MB sticks, i switched slots with both of them and no problems for a week. Now it just happened yesterday. So it does seem like it's a ram issue. Maybe that's your problem too?

 

[Green Man]

Originally posted by: nicebutt
I have a Gigabyte GA-8ihxp P4 2.4B 533 buss running windows 2kSP3 with all updates. Antec 430 watt PS and on a battery backup, MSI 4600 video card.
The computer can be on all day and run without a problem. Then whatever you are doing... i.e. maybe even just move the mouse, the screen goes black and computer reboots, you could just be looking on the net , or typing in a program .....BAM!!! reboot.
Any ideas on what to try or what the problem may be?

Right click on my computer and select properties. Click on the advanced tab click startup and recovery. Under system failure, uncheck the box that says automatically restart.
That won't fix you're problem, but it will give you a chance to see the message. Plus, a stop screen isn't as unnerving as a reboot when you're not expecting it.
To see the error log, right click click on my computer and select manage. Expand event viewer and click on applications. Look for error messages.
Someone here might be able to help you if you had the specific error that occured.

 

[thorin]

Run MemTest86 and let us know if it comes up with any errors.

Thorin

 

[Woody419]

The 4/16/03 issue of Tech Specialist has a possible solution:

"I saw a question about a Gateway computer that had SSS (sudden shutdown syndrome). It reminded me of a problem my brother in law had with his new Dell computer. He set up a new desk in a newly designated "computer room". His new pride & joy would not work properly and after much head scratching, software uninstalling and reinstalling and finally, hardware changes, the unit still would not work. For some reason (desperation+luck) they decided to plug the computer into a different outlet, viola! The puter purred into life and delivered on its promise of power and speed. The problem? A bad ground in the outlet they were previously plugged into. Two weeks of troubleshooting solved in 10 seconds."

Editor's Note: A decent surge protection device would have given some indication that there was a wiring problem present. I always look for protection devices that will warn of such things by way of a dedicated LED or one that will change colors if a problem is detected. Some even have audible alarms built-in. I cringe anytime I see an expensive computer plugged directly into the wall, or worse, a $6.95 surge protector that gives a false sense of security. Spend $1500-2000 on a PC, and then skip out on a protection device that would likely cost less than the shipping to get the computer to the doorstep...

 

[nicebutt]

To all thanks for the the help. It seems the mem test is the problem. I run it and get tons of errors. Can't even begin to tell ya how many but it is in the 1000's.
Another question came up on the test. I see the report back about the processor (P4 2.4B) has a L1 cache of 8k @ 19714MB/s. Is this correct for a P4 to have a L1 cache that low?
Anyway another thought is...is this program designed to check RDRAM or am I getting errors only because this is Rambus type?

 

[TronX]

Return the Ram.. If you have more than one stick of RAM just remove the other and find the bad stick.
Maybe the brand of ram you have is not made for your motherboard? hmmm...

 

[JknowWhat]

Yeah I just recently had the same problem too. I tried another stick of RAM and viola everything was rock solid. As for the processor I dunno...might wanna ask someone else about that.

 

[thorin]

I believe v3.0 does support RDRAM however I'm sure this is covered in their FAQ. If you're getting errors you may want to try another stick of RAM. If you're using more then one stick then test them seperately. Also what are your CPU temps? Have you adjusted your RAM tmings (or is it going via SPD)?

Thorin