Random restarts

j00ni

j00ni

j00ni

Soldato
Joined
4 Aug 2004
Posts
5,622
Location
Wigan
my flatmates computer is restarting at seemingly random intervals. It seems to happen most when playing games on the LAN. He reinstalled windows (which didn't fix the problem, and the computer restarted whilst doing this), and replaced the HDD, but is still getting the restarts.

I tried some spare (working) RAM in the computer, but this did not solve the problem either. I am leaning towards the psu (which is some cheapo Colors 550W job), though the computer doesn't power off, but just restarts, could this happen with a psu on its way out??

Other than that I'd guess at the mobo, though maybe the RAM is a poss still, though the replacement ram definately was fine when i memtested it recently.

To be honest guys I am stumped, would it be worth testing his existing ram to exclude it? Is there arnything testable that I've missed :confused:

Specs:

XP1500+
MSI KT600
2x 512 elixir RAM
160Gb Maxtor HDD
ATi Radeon 9500

cheers for any help :)


edit: forgot to mention, this has only started occurring since he moved his comp back to uni
 
Quick test is to try another quality PSU. If you have one lieing around somewhere hook it up. If that checks out and its still rebooting give memtest86 a shot to rule out the memory.

These two are the most likely in my experience to cause random reboots. If not come back and we can have another think about it.

Cheers
 
Unfortunately don't have any PSU spare, and I'm not overly keen to dismantle my pc to get at one :o

Am in the process of convincing him this is the most likely candidate, but didn't want to go get one without checking with you knowledgable people :)
 
think your onto somethin with the PSU. You could try reseting the cmos, or maybe try a less power hungry graphics card. Jobs like this are just an inlimination game really
 
I think that is the problem. I found that the file copy portion of the XP setup normally makes the cheapo PSU's bite the bullet.

Also had a few cases where the psu degrades over time. Possibly because its working flat out all the time. Might find the reboots become more frequent too as the components wear. I suppose this is why its maybe trundled on for a while and is now starting to die.

Carefull with the cheapo PSU's they generally dont die alone... sometimes taking other components with it.

Cheers
 
Might be worth testing different RAM timings as well. I had a case where my RAM memtested perfectly on any frequency and latency, but kept rebooting during windows loading. It must have been a faulty SPD or something. PSU is still a prime suspect as well of course.
 
Being as he's a yorkshireman though I doubt i will convince him to get replacement ram and psu lol. Was thinking I'll re-memtest his ram, then if that's ok go for a psu (since the shop will probably be more happy to take that back than ram)
 
Is the PSU running a bit louder (or sound any different) or hotter than usual? Try having the bare mininum components in, and see if it's any more stable under a little less load.
 
I am pretty much convinced it's the psu now, since on closer inspection he has 2 hidden case intake fans which i didn't notice before (in addition to 2 exhausts) - god only knows why he thinks it needs so much cooling. Disconnected all that, and running it now with just hdd, dvdrw, cpu and gfx - and touch wood it hasn't reset yet
 
Yea that does sound like as soon as you give the PSU a break, it behaves itself. Stick a few more fans on to stress it and it has a heart attack :eek:
 
Just an update, replaced the psu with a nice fsp jobby and it seems to be working fine, no restarts since 6ish, and given an intensive lan workout :p

So thanks for putting my mind at ease that i was going in the right direction, touch wood we are right :D
 
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