PC random reboots

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Hi all,

I'm having some issues with my PC and I thought you guys here might be able to point me in the right direction :)

At random times, can be seconds or weeks apart, my PC keeps rebooting without warning. The problem occurs in "swarms" then it can be fine for a couple of weeks.

Hardware:

Asus P5Q-e mortherboard
Core 2 Duo e8500 (not overclocked)
4GB memory
64bit Windows 7 Ultimate
Corsair vx550w psu
ATI Radeon HD4850

So far I have tried a new motherboard, new PSU and tried alternating the ram to check for a bad stick.

I'm not thinking it's the OS/virus issue as it can happen when I'm just checking the BIOS settings. I don't think it's a heat issue either as it can happen within seconds of it being powered on after being powered down overnight.

I'm guessing this just leaved the graphics card and the CPU? Any other ideas? Which is it most likely to be? I'm not getting any artifacts on the screen.

As I said, it can go for weeks with no issue them have a bad couple of days before being fine for a week or so again. Any ideas?
 
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hmmm, I've tried a different kettle lead and plugged it into another 4 way strip although on the same power line. Nothing else is displaying any problems with that socket but it's worth a try I guess...
 
OK, i've plugged it into a different power socket.

Time will tell I guess. I'll kick myself if thats all it is though. It's been an expensive weekend so far ;)
 
my call is the gpu, i had a gpu that randomly black screened and some times rebooted the pc. give it a go, swap for a spare
 
I use both outputs (dual monitor).

Since changing the power socket it's plugged into it's not done it yet (although VERY early days) - i'm keeping fingers crossed though.

So it's more likely to be the graphics card than the CPU? Even if it's just happening in the BIOS when not under any high load?
 
Well, it's not the socket.

It has been fine all afternoon then about 30 minutes ago started doing a continual reboot thing. Half the time not getting past POST.

I've tried booting without the graphics card in and it does exactly the same thing. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing :)

Any more ideas?
 
you know it could well be windows, if its randomly shutting down and you have eliminated all other things, only last thing it could be is the board. also maybe something on the board like the s/b n/b is getting too hot and its safe guarding, and then doesn't post until its cold enough. i mean the only other things now are, windows its self. ram and the mobo.
why not get event viewer

also do you get that window after it boots saying windows shut down unexpected?
 
matkeys said:
you know it could well be windows, if its randomly shutting down and you have eliminated all other things, only last thing it could be is the board. also maybe something on the board like the s/b n/b is getting too hot and its safe guarding, and then doesn't post until its cold enough. i mean the only other things now are, windows its self. ram and the mobo.
why not get event viewer

also do you get that window after it boots saying windows shut down unexpected?
Click to expand...

I've replaced the motherboard so doubt it's that unless 2 faulty ones.

Can't be windows either as it's doing it sometimes before POST or in the bios :(
 
i wouldn't put it past it being a board, but maybe your setup is unstable or one of your hardware doesn't like something on that particular board or the other way round


run tests to see what it is thats doing it you may find the stress testing helps. ie prime 95, memtest, 3d mark

sounds like a very strange and inconsistent fault!


the only last thing i can think of is the p5Q dosnt like 64 bit windows. and infact the bios may have a bug, which will effect that version of board running win 7 ultimate 64bit!

have you also tried turning off all of windows 7's desktop fetures like the themes and aero part?


also check this thread
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...O&id=20100303020336359&page=1&SLanguage=en-us
 
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matkeys said:
i wouldn't put it past it being a board, but maybe your setup is unstable or one of your hardware doesn't like something on that particular board or the other way round


run tests to see what it is thats doing it you may find the stress testing helps. ie prime 95, memtest, 3d mark

sounds like a very strange and inconsistent fault!


the only last thing i can think of is the p5Q dosnt like 64 bit windows. and infact the bios may have a bug, which will effect that version of board running win 7 ultimate 64bit!

have you also tried turning off all of windows 7's desktop fetures like the themes and aero part?


also check this thread
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx...O&id=20100303020336359&page=1&SLanguage=en-us
Click to expand...

Thanks for the ideas - It can't be the OS as it happens even in the BIOS and sometimes before even that stage.

Just to add, it's worked flawlessly for over 14 moths until now with not a single crash/bluescreen etc so I doubt it's an incompatability with hardware (I researched components for about 2 months before deciding to make sure!)

I'm going to try and borrow a different GPU today and give that a go. If not, looks like RMA the CPU with Intel - anyone know how long they take?
 
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