Computer Issue

aliensid

aliensid

aliensid

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14 May 2006
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Computer Issue: Random Reboots

I built me a computer a couple of years ago, and yesterday it started acting up. When I am using it, it randomly reboots. This can be whilst playing a game (intensive), or whilst doing nothing. The screens just go black, and it starts to boot up. On occasion, it'll refuse to boot. When it does this it goes "beep.... beep beep beep" which the manual says is a keyboard error. The keyboard however is fine. It continues to do this beeping and not booting for a while. I remove the RAM, put it back in, and sometimes it works again. Whilst it's beeping the motherboard's LED display says "8.7.", which the manual says is "Checking CPU Core Voltage".

The thing is, I have no idea why it's doing it. I thought it might be overheating or something, so I cleaned all the fans and installed the temperature monitor. It then proceeded to do it again, and the temperature didn't read anything abnormal before doing so.

Just to note, I haven't installed any new hardware recently that could be causing it. The motherboard is the "Abit AA8XE Fatal1ty", PSU is "Akasa Paxpower 460W".

Any ideas?
Daryl.
 
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Assuming you are running Windows XP, go to control panel, system, advanced, startup and recovery. Untick "Automatically Restart" so you will be able to see any error messages as they are displayed. If it's already unticked, let me know.
 
Changed the setting and just now it did it again. It didn't show any error so I guess it's more fundamental. It was stuck in it's "beep, beep beep beep. I am not going to boot" state so I plugged in an alternate power supply and it booted. I then plugged the original back in and it booted. So swapping the power supply is inconclusive as to whether it helps.
 
Control panel/admim tools/event viewer/system.

Have a look and see if any errors are showing.
If you see error (102) then I'll lay odds on it's a hardware fault.
If this is the case then google for 'memtest', download it and test the memory, it's free and a great tool.
Also go the website for the manufacturer of your HDD(s) and grab their diagnostic tool.
A faulty power rail on a power supply can also cause error (102).

You could start off by having a look at your motherboard.
Capacitors ok? none bulging or leaking?

If none of the above help you to solve it then let me know.
 
No errors in the event viewer. No leaking/bulging capacitors. I'll run memtest overnight and, assuming it doesn't crash, inform you of the results tomorrow :)
 
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