BleepingComputer.com: PC reboots on it's own

Its' a HP pavilion 524w, 256 ram, xp home, sp1, amd 1.73 processor. It will run for awhile then reboot itself. I have seen it just running but idle and be ok for a couple hours, then start a program and it reboots. It doesn't just lock up or shutdown...always reboots.

I have several minidump files but can't read them.

So it only reboots after you have logged on to windows?

first if you have the windows xp installation cd I would boot to that and run a CHKDSK /p /r from the revovery console.

If that don't work I would test the power supply

I don't have the installation cd. I had thought it might be the power supply. I will swap it out of another box that is not used and see if that helps. Thanks

Sounds like possible overheating, IMO.

Louis

Luis, you mean overheating of the power supply? or the mother board?

The system.

None of the system components...tolerates extreme heat very well...hard drive, motherboard, CPU, etc.

Typical symptoms of overheating include slowing of system function, unexplained/abrupt reboots...among those which are easily recognizable.

Louis

Have you checked to see that all the fans in the system are running including the power supply, and if it is dusty dust it out.

What is being implied here it there is a good chance that the inside of your case is inundated with dust, specifically the heat sink and fan assembly on the PCU on the motherboard.

Open the case and take a look inside. Do remember that your body contains static electricity charges which can damage board components, so you need to discharge yourself by touching the metal of the case before touching anything inside.

Purchase some "canned air" and blow out the insides, especially the heat sink and fan assembly on the motherboard.