My (old) computer keeps restarting spontaneously

I ended up getting excited about taking the PC apart that I took it completely to bits (not build my first rig yet)

When I rebuild it, nothing showed on the screen but I'm not too bothered as I cant do anything with it anyway and we have a new one.

The major turn of events is that the new one, virtually box fresh, randomly turned itself off and gave a BSOD. Which is most odd.
I looked at my surge protector and the "protected" green light wasn't illuminated, we had an electrician in the other day and maybe something he did buggered up the PSU?
I've replaced the surge protector and it's been fine since, but i'm worried the new PC is gonna slowly start dying already.
 
hypochondriac said:
but i'm worried the new PC is gonna slowly start dying already.
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I don't like to say it, but that is Purple Shirt quailty for you... Start by uninstalling all that excess demo software crud they install...

Here is Corsair showing you want happens to cheapo PSUs when they are run at only 75% load:

http://corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747


Now you have the "spare" PC, you can start experiments with learning about decent kit. Like buying a Corsair PSU from OCUK and see how much HEAVIER decent components are. :)
 
MAllen said:
I don't like to say it, but that is Purple Shirt quailty for you...
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haha don't worry I'm well aware. It came with a free trial of norton, (as well as my parents buying it) and even the fact I'm getting away with not paying for it still didn't draw me into keeping it, it didn't let me do anything.
(It was utorrent that had trouble working, but since uninstallation it's still playing up, but thats another story, one which I'm unsure I should be discussing.)

Here is Corsair showing you want happens to cheapo PSUs when they are run at only 75% load:
http://corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747
Click to expand...

That was a rather funny video, and I actually think mine may have done that in the night maybe, because myt PSU does smell a little like burning, although it runs.

Cheers for all your help by the way. I'm just sad it didn't turn out better.
 
Norton's firewall can be configured to allow network software through it. But you have to fight your way into the control panel. And it is always a bit weird in there. They treat you like a naughty child who should not use the PC without mummy watching you.... mummy knows best type software.

Personally, I'd throw it away now. Throw the demo out. And return the boxed Norton to PC World as "mis-sold, unwanted goods". (Even if they swap it for some blank DVDs it would be better)

Biggest problem with Norton is it is soooo bloated and a horrendous hog on resources. And pretty lousy at spotting real viruses. Throw it out and install AVG\Avast\NOD32\etc.


Meanwhile... that burnt smell... not surprising from a Purple Shirted special. I have walked into client houses before, and from the front door been able to diagnose the PC Problems due to that smell. It is very funny when it happens: "Yes sir, even without seeing your PC I can tell you the PSU has died. Did you buy it from PC World? Ah... that would explain that smell..."
 
I'd love to and to be honest I don't think my parents would even notice they hardly use it, watching my mum try and work out how to access her e-mail online because I was too fed up of backing up her outlook msgs all the time was quite funny, she has a warped view on how it all works!

Ok so surprisingly I don't think it was norton that was restricting me after all, I got rid of it and put AVG on and that couldn't connect to the server to update. Re-installed, same problem, then Avast equally the same problem. I have no trouble connecting to the internet...I'm on it now after all.
(Also I tried another torrent in utorrent from another tracker and it worked fine, must be the tracker)
I thought maybe my BT home hub's firewall is restricting, but I couldn't even connect to the home hub, something is really not letting me communicate externally apart from through the browser.

I wouldn't say the smell was that strong but it did smell.

PS you REALLY hate their uniform don't you!
 
I call them "Purple Shirts" as we are not supposed to name competitors on this website. OCUK is a shop. ;) I think the Mods are letting us get away with it this time as we are not saying anything nice... in fact, we are just showing WHY one should buy quality instead. :)

(Ducking quick as expecting a BanStick™ anytime soon....:eek:)

I can tell you from the public I meet in my job - your mum is not much different to normal users. most haven't got a clue as to how it works - but then how many people know how their cars work?


Weird thing is, if you used to use torrents on the old PC, then the new one should work in a similar way. Unless the extra security in Vista is locking it up for you? Check the "Network and Sharing Control Panel".


AVG Free (and Avast) are purely anti-virus. NO firewall in their free products. So in those cases it will be Vista's firewall kicking in.


BT Home Hub is painful rubbish - but should still be accessible. http://192.168.1.254 (Or http://192.168.0.254). Bring up a DOS window (cmd) and type "ipconfig /all". That should tell you where the router is. (Gateway)


I assume you can use other comms... otherwise you would not of been able to update the anti-virus, etc.
 
Ahh ok I'll stop talking about those with the purple shirts then :P ain't been on the forum long, don't want to get banned.

True I've not much clue how my car works...

I've been through the Network and Sharing Controls and all the vista firewall stuff and nothing I try helps. The problem is I can't update the AV, because it cannot connect to the server. Vista is being very picky and prefers norton, it didn't have a problem untill I got rid of it and now it's sabotaging my new AV's untill I go back to it heh.

Those IPs bring up the home hub stuff, but the Home Hub Manager program supplied doesn't want to know.
 
This is weird... Check control panel to make sure all of Norton is removed.

Follow that up with a Norton 360 Removal Tool http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2007080716223439?Open&docid=2005033108162039&nsf=tsgeninfo.nsf&view=docid&lg=en&ct=uk&pid=2007020923124413&pkb=sharedtech

Next, from the Vista Network and Security page, check out the firewall (link on left)

My Vista Firewall is set to "Private Network" mode. Which means it trusts the compters around it. ("Public" would have probably locked you down too far)

What do you see on the "Allow programs through the firewall" page? Are the AV Update and torrent programs listed?

BTW - get your language right. It's not "Vista prefers Norton", it's "Norton has messed up Vista". Always send the blame the correct direction :)


As to "IP Address" and "Home Hub" - that is all the access you need. Everything can be setup via the control panel instead of BT's own software. That whole BT\Yahoo CD is yet more bloat that should be removed from the PC. NONE of it is needed to go online. :)
 
Funny stuff with the surge protector - this should be the first thing to check when PC doesnt power up or acts strange ;).

Norton is total rubbish.

Get yourself the free avast or nod. (If you really need it at all - I guess you do tho).


About the internet it's hard to say like that, we would really need to know what kind of specific stuff is blocked to say anything.

You could do tracert to that address in cmd as well - it might be problem with one of the hops on the way and not exactly with your connection.
 
PhoenixUK said:
Funny stuff with the surge protector - this should be the first thing to check when PC doesnt power up or acts strange ;).
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I think Thor, the Thunder and Lightning God, works for PCW. Striking down these feeble PCs...

PhoenixUK said:
Get yourself the free avast or nod. (If you really need it at all - I guess you do tho).
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For the sake of his Mum, a novice user, there needs to be something on there to stop her clicking on that attachement sent by her other non-technical friend...
PhoenixUK said:
About the internet it's hard to say like that, we would really need to know what kind of specific stuff is blocked to say anything.
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Another thought... is this a limited user or administrator? Are the parental controls on?
 
Well it's getting worse and worse, the internet doesn't work at all, the wireless works, hence how I'm on here, but it says connection interupted. (some of the bt yahoo web pages work oddly)

The OS theme (the black taskbar, window frames etc.) have all gone to the grey windows 98 theme that I can't change.

It crashes occasionally and then when the scrolling bar loading screen apears it sometimes doesnt complete, it just keeps scrolling and scrolling.

Theres nothing on this computer to bugger it up, no illegal software that could contain viruses or anything.

The programs were allowed through the firewall, i've checked nearly everything that would inhibit the action but still nothing.
 
If the windows have dropped into a Win 98 look, there is something seriously wrong. Get that taken back to the shop and reject the goods as "not working". Trades descrition act. Sales of Goods acts, etc are all on your side.

(Usually, to change the themes in Vista it is a Right Click on the dekstop, then "Personalize", "Theme")

Can I guess? Less tha 2GB RAM? Cheap purchase price? What's the CPU in it?
 
I reset to factory and its back to normal now, despite about half a dozen BSODs in the first hour or 2!
Although now the win98 look theme as gone etc and it functions....ok...will they still accept the return or will they think I'm being picky?

I tired changing the theme back like you described and went to the vista one and it just changed the background back to the default and all the window frames stayed.

It has 3GB ram and an AMD Phenom 9500 Quad-core 2.20GHz, <£500
 
I was just flicking though the forum and the desktop wallpaper flashed up a couple of times, then windows said it had a serious error and told me to save my work because it was going to reset.
After it reset the indexer apparently stopped working a couple times (according to the warning messages)

This does not bode well and I am taking it back, along with that sodding Norton!!!

Is there any chance (because this new pc broke so early) that it's nothing to do with the pc (nor the surge protector as that has been changed in vain) and its something to do with the bt home hub or my external hard drive?
ie what if I get another new one and it the errors keep coming.

With my laptops graphics card busted and 2 pcs in a row broke, I'm not having much luck with electricals at the moment!!
 
I'd need time to get the parts and my parents would rather just get one imediately. (I'd much prefer to build one)
Is there a grace period after which I cannot take it back (like a 14 day money back garuntee)? because the PC is at least useable until I get the parts.

At least if I build one thats faulty I know its not the fault of those in purple.
Is there any chance that my external HDD (Maxtor one touch III 500GB) or my BT Home Hub could be causing such defects?
 
hypochondriac said:
I'd need time to get the parts and my parents would rather just get one imediately. (I'd much prefer to build one)
Is there a grace period after which I cannot take it back (like a 14 day money back garuntee)? because the PC is at least useable until I get the parts.

At least if I build one thats faulty I know its not the fault of those in purple.
Is there any chance that my external HDD (Maxtor one touch III 500GB) or my BT Home Hub could be causing such defects?
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Usually it's about 14 days. I guess if you're 'well spoken' and know what to say it might extend to a month ;-).


To find if its either HUB or external hdd you can just disconnect them and see how it works without :).

And really I smell something nasty in your system,
Do you mind installing "hijack this" and posting the file log for me ( use 'SCAN' option and then there should show option 'Save Log' then paste whatever is in it here, or upload the log file somewhere).
Also to save me some time please and mention any additional software that you use (like TV card drivers, itunes, mobile phone software, antiviruses etc).


And well, if you returned it, and ordered new one from OC UK at early morning, you would probably get the parts next day and can build it in max 3hrs if u've never done it :).
 
Well the PC still has errors after they've been disconnected, but is it not possible that one of them could've affected the system during the times they were connected.

A side note: what's the chances that the next pc (build or purchased elsewhere) will have the same problem as thats 2 PCs dead in less than a month.

What does this "hijack this" program do and what information will you be able to retreive from it?

I don't doubt OCUKs delivery speed, it's just I've never built one before so I will take a long time choosing the parts I want etc, and getting all the bits i need and checking for compatability issues. (theres so many mobos and graphics cards etc. and i don't really know if i'd be overspending or buying something thats soon to be very outdated)
Also as i've never built before, knowing me I'd damage a part so if I was temporarily without a PC and something went wrong I'd have no one to turn to for advice.
 
heres the log
ignor my question about the program it just sounded suspicious but a read a little about it and heres the log.

The only installed program is firefox, utorrent was installed but i uninstalled it...the problem is I have all the HP bloatware crap still on it (as a sort of proof I guess to those whom I purchased it that I didn't bugger it up myself.)
 
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