BleepingComputer.com: Computer rebooting at random

I have a PC tower that I built myself, which ran clean for about a year before it started having this odd problem.

It now reboots randomly. Sometimes it will reboot in the middle of playing World of Warcraft or some other game. Sometimes it will reboot within minutes of booting up. Sometimes it will reboot itself several times before it allows Windows to load. Sometimes it will reboot all day, and have an average up-time of less than 10 minutes. Sometimes it will go for days without rebooting once.

Occasionally it will shut down, and then I can't start it up again, but it will start itself back up eventually. Sometimes its the opposite; it won't boot back up until I press the power button.

I've tested the RAM with Memtest86 and got a full pass. I've dusted in the case with compressed air. I've added fans to increase cooling. I've run anti-virus and anti-spyware software and came up empty handed.

This is an Intel-based system running Windows XP with SP3. I can provide details on any of the components if anyone thinks it might be relevant.

Hello there,

If you could please attach a full Log and if you have a list of components in the computer that would help me alot.

Also have you tried safe mode, does it randomly restart in this mode as well?

Your processor might be running on the hot side.

This post has been edited by MrBruce1959: 17 February 2010 - 08:06 PM

Tingnome: What kind of Log? Yes, it reboots in Safe Mode, too.

Processor Manufacturer: Intel
Processor Type: Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.66 Ghz
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-P35C-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Operating System / Service Pack: WindowsXP with SP3
RAM Manufacturer/Model: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4
Video Card Manufacturer: Nvidia
Video Card Model: Geforce 8800GT
Video Card RAM: 512 megs
Video Card Driver Version: 182.50
Sound Card Manufacturer: Realtek
Sound Card Model: ?
Sound Card Driver Version: 5.10.0.5404
Power Supply: Earthwatts 430W
Hard Drives: 2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
Media Drive: SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM

MrBruce1959: How could I get it to run cooler?

This post has been edited by digitaldraco: 17 February 2010 - 09:23 PM

What is between the processor and the heatsink?

Sometimes they put those silly rubber or paper stickers on the heatsink where the processor sits.

Make sure to remove it and add thermal grease (paste) to the heatsink's bottom and carefully reseat it on the processor.

If that does not correct the issue, then you might have a RAM issue.

I agree Heat build up in the processor may cause the computer to shut down re-boot etc. But also go into your BIOS and check out your Tempeture settings after its been on for a while, if the heat goes up pretty fast then yea there is your issue.

Download, and install SpeedFan: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Post your computer temperatures:



Provide processor info (hold Windows logo key, and hit Pause/Break key to find out).

We might be on to something with the CPU thing. I installed SpeedFan and every time it shuts down when I have WoW running, the log records the CPU temp at about 30° above idle.

The GPU is 7° hotter than idle, too.

Specifically, the CPU cores idle around 45°C (with the "main" core temp idle around 70°) and the GPU around 72°. When WoW is up, the two cores go into the low 70's and the GPU/CPU temps go into the high 70's.

Processor info: Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 @ 2.66GHz

This post has been edited by digitaldraco: 18 February 2010 - 01:10 AM

Both (idle and game) temperatures are too high. Your CPU will survive 45C idle, but you'll damage it sooner, or later, running it at 70C.
When was the last time, you cleaned inside the case?

Broni: Define cleaning? I cleaned out all the dust fairly recently. There's none noticeable in there right now.

It shuts down in the middle of the boot process, too. Would the CPU be running higher than normal then?

What did you use to clean inside the case?
CPU heats up in a matter of a split second.
If you've been running your computer at 70C for a while, you could have caused some damages already.
You may try to reapply thermal paste.
Whatever you do stop playing any games for now. Any graphic heavy program will heat up your computer.

I used a can of compressed air to clean out the dust.

That's the right way.
Did you check, if all fans are running?
If everything checks out, I'd reapply thermal paste.

Yeah, all the fans are running fine. I'll get some thermal paste soon and see if that does the trick. Thanks!

Keep us posted