Restarting Computer

[loki2k]

Ok.. big problem..

My info:
I just need to take my Cisco and A+ tests to be certified.
(yes i know.. but still stuff happens.. dont make that much fun of me)

My problem:
Computer just restarts after I load winamp or windows media player
-the restart just doesnt happen when I load.. But whereas 10 to 15 secs.. it does restart.
-After running a program for 15 minutes or so... computer automatically restarts by itself
Another problem is when i'm using bi[t]orrent...
-if this program is running in background when i load winamp or any other application then it restarts
-(yes, i've even tried not running bi[t]orrent or any program for that matter.. it works fine.. the only program I CAN use is Internet Explorer and MSN messenger 6.2)
--(there isnt really any fun if i can't listen to music when im word processing.. )

Computer:
AMD Athlon XP 2600+
512 MB DDR PC2700
Win XP SP2
-Motherboard:Soltek SL-75MRN-L
--Has integrated video card
---But using geforce ti 4200 8x agp
--(Yes.. this configuration worked before all this happened)
--(I disabled the integrated vid and used the ti4200)

My tries:
1. I've taken out the ti4200 and enabled the integrated vid card... still after loading some programs the computer restarts. Same for ti4200.

2. I've tried switching hard drives and I'm getting nothing out of it... I formatted and reinstalled XP on new HDD.. still same problem...

3. Checked IDE cables to see if hard drives are not attached or cables are torn. Replaced cables and still same problem.
(Before my Hard Drive just seem to turn off on me.. No clicking or anything... I dunno if the Hard drive is suppose to turn off when I restart... I know its a bad thing... but its worked like that before) My 2 hard drives I have are 4 years old and 1 year old... and both work great on another person's computer. Both are ATA.. one is 100 other is 133
but both have worked great on same IDE cable before

Not done yet:
1. I haven't checked my RAM but I don't see a reason to check it. Everything reads in the BIOS correctly, even the harddrives and cd-rom drives...

2. Buy a new Motherboard... Don't see a reason to get a new one because the Soltek SL-75MRN-L is 2 years old...

3. Replace the 3 fans I am using.. Fan's help...

4. Buying replacement devices... no need for a sound card or vid card because its integrated.

Any help you guys?

 

[jackschmittusa]

What was the last thing you changed before the problem? Might be a driver problem (loading the same drivers on a new install would reproduce the same problem). Hardware and drivers compatable with SP2? Tried rolling back to SP1 as a diagnostic? Could be a hot Northbridge chip; flooding the buss with data is the straw....

 

[loki2k]

Didn't install anything except for sp2 critical updates...
besides.. i didnt ever restart my computer untill my 15 gig download was
complete...

i've rolled back some drivers.. no effect though...
all hardware is compatible except for some kinda BS Bus controller.. or SM bus controller.. i've forgotten since ive already installed the drivers to it..
(all-in-one) drivers

hot northbridge chip ... explanation?
i also forgot to say my computer runs 333 FSB

 

[loki2k]

finally recieved a BSOD

thank goodness...
it says.. Driver IRQ L NOT LESS OR EQUAL

i thnk thats my video drivers
but i have the setup driver for it..
also the fact that.. before any of this happened....
my integrated video always worked... must be something wrong with my bus lines or chip

ideas?

 

[amdskip]

What power supply? $10 that it is causing your problems.

 

[loki2k]

400w PS ATX

compusa namebranded baby!!!

 

[jackschmittusa]

Compusa brand is mid-range quality at best. Have used a couple for lightweight rigs. Does sound like a driver problem. Northbrige is a big chip on the mb with either a hs or hs/f on it. It is the "traffic cop" for a lot functions including cpu and memory. If it gets too hot, many weird things can happen.

 

[CycloWizard]

Sounds to me like it's related to your sound. What sound card are you using? I had a problem with an SB Live a few years ago. It worked fine, then one day computer just shut down. Had to format to get anything working again. Any time the comp tried to play a sound (ANY sound) after that, it would just reboot. Solved by removing the SB and never replacing it. It's still sitting in the closet because I haven't found anyone to throw it at yet. Don't buy Creative sound cards.

 

[jackschmittusa]

If it is the sound card, try deleting the drivers, moving the sound card to another slot and re-installing the drivers.

 

[amdskip]

What is the rating on the +12 line (look at the power supply label).

 

[loki2k]

will check rating tomorrow.. sleep is necessary.. this is killin my brain

but @ others..
sound card does some correct.. but its integrated..
i also have a hardware utility with the motherboard...

the drivers i am using are the Realtek AC '97 audio drivers

 

[loki2k]

tested today..

at the +12v its at 11.855

nothing... even got the upgraded drivers from the soltek website
any more ideas?

i uninstalled and reinstalled...

would it be because i have a samsung HDD?

 

[amdskip]

No, look at the actual label on the power supply. It will say like 16A on the +12v.

 

[loki2k]

16a
y?

Besides that... It might be the sound drivers.. thing is.. it should be compatible
i realized that i got the wrong drivers for it.. but when i did get the correct one..
it still restarted..

help!

 

[loki2k]

phoey.. guess no one knows how to fix my problem.... T_T

thanks anyways i guess

 

[montag451]

Try disabling 'restart on errors'.
That way, in theory, you should be able to see on screen all the time what the error is - see if it changes.

ALSO, the event might be logged in Event Viewer.
See whats there - check the times, and supply the SOURCE and EVENT ID with any text that happens to be floating by

 

[loki2k]

ok..

weird.. it says there a cd-rom error.. something about a bad block..
how to disable restart on errors? bios?
but the computer's been dying because i turn on music.. whats with that?

 

[montag451]

Try disconnecting the cd player.

See what happens

 

[loki2k]

nothing.. same problem...

now it says IRQ_L_less e.... blah.. when i get a BSOD
it really does seem like my sound is messing up my computer
when ever a song is played.. it dies in like 15 secs... but when i try to watch a video..
it will die after i watch a few episodes of an anime....

somethings wrong...

 

[montag451]

What does event viewer show?

 

[loki2k]

On event System...

The device, \Device\CdRom0, has a bad block.

source: cdrom
event 7

date: 2/10/05 @ 11:53PM

 

[montag451]

I would try another cdrom in the system.

It might be that it needs a clean or something, but if it is showing that error, then try another one.
That would knock out one error, now see what happens, or if we can knock out the others - .
but one thing at a time.

Let us know what happens

 

[asm0deus]

if all else fails, you might want to try taking the mobo out of the case and running it on something that's non-metallic. you could be getting a short somewhere in the case.

 

[loki2k]

yea.. my main idea im gonna try is to use the original drivers
ive been using updated drivers.. but shouldnt updated be better?

but besides that.. ive taken both cdroms off
still same restart problem...

would that actually work? i mean.. my mobo is on risers...

but i keep getting 2 errors.. one or the other if i mess with the system..

if i put my ti4200 back into the computer.. it becomes irq_less_not_equal
if i take it off driver_less_not_equal

if i disable my sound my computer will actually not die...problem is..
if i dont face the problem now.. theres no reason for me to turn
off/disable the sound.. so any ideas?

ive even uninstalled all drivers and reinstalled them...

 

[montag451]

Try a pci cheap sound card, and disable mobo soundcard, or RMA