I cant stop my computer from restarting?

Question

I've owned my computer since 2007, built it myself. However in the last week it has been restarting on me, whenever it feels like. Im no slug with a computer so checked the cooling, which although there is some heat though i am unsure whether that really is the cause. I've also ruled out a hardware conflict or a RAM Problem. I havent upgraded my computer in over a year, with the last upgrade being a NVida GeForce 9600GT graphic's card, which has worked perfectly for 14 months. My system is a Intel 2.4 Duo Core, 3062 Mb RAM, and a 430w PSU. The only things I can seem to apply it to is a virus or a weak PSU , but I cant see why my PSU would die on me right now. I was thinking that maby My PSU was only just powerful enough to power my 2 hard drives and the rest of my systems and it is only now catching up with me?

Answer 1

If your power supply has been working and powering everything for 14 months then its not likely it is the issue. Most likely it's a software issue. The first thing to check would be the logs, which can be found by going to the control panel, then administrative tools, then event viewer. In there you're going to want to select the system logs. They should be in chronological order so you can check around the last time your computer mysteriously shut off.



Look for any logs marked error, and see what software they are referring to. Try and uninstall that software that is causing the problem. Hopefully this will lead you to finding the cause. Best of luck.

Answer 2

Your Information supplied can ONLY suggest that the CPU is failing and is getting HOT as it attempts to start Windows

HOT: meaning a temp over 60 degrees cent.

Does your CMOS have a temp check?

This answer is ONLY guessing..

----

Based on my personal knowledge..and YOU can only answer this one.

DID you JUST RECENTLY just before all this occured..install a

program or game that requires it be loaded at the Startup of Windows.

In other words, as Windows loads..the Program loads IMMEDIATELY

also?? It IS POSSIBLE the Program ("IF" one was prior installed before the problem arose) may be incompatible with your version of Windows OR require a particular Videocard, other than

what you currently have and the Program (or Game) is NOT compatible with that VideoCard.



TRY, just as the PC starts up but does not start Windows..PRESS

F8 and in that Options screen select SAFE MODE.

If the PC starts into Windows..(AND, keeps running in Safe Mode without restarting,)then its a DRIVER File in Windows or the incompatible Program/Game.

IF it was a Program/game, the program/game may have been one

that led you to believe it would run in XP, Vista (whatever) but you

didnt have enough info about its System Resource requirements, such as the type of VideoCard...Some Games will NOT run with an nVidia card, some wont with an ATI Radeon card. and was it a Program for XP or Vista or even 2000 or 98. (whatever) IF it attempts restarting whilst in Windows Safe Mode before you get a chance to do much at all..SORRY..re-installing Windows is YOUR best Option.

(but read more below on the F8 Option)

You need to understand what many PC users refuse to accept.

That is: PCI/AGP cards..even built-in ones..fail at ANY time.

and for no reason apparent and with NO warning.

Thats goes for PCI Modem cards/PCI Sound cards also.

IF they become faultly..they CAN and DO stop Windows from Starting up. AND, it is wise to always remember that no matter how OLD or

how YOUNG a Harddisk is, it can fail or develop surface defects,

that will cause windows NOT to start.

On your Information..your PC components are EXCELLENT.

On the PSU bit..430 is quite ample..quite ample indeed.

IF it WAS the PSU, the PC would STOP after reading the RAM

at the very start of the PC. IF it was the RAM, the PC would NOT

even begin to load Windows..it would just continue to keep appearing

as if its stll starting Windows and the Windows logo sign would just stay appearing and the PC would appear to be going no where..In your case, its restarting. The Graphics card has been working (with its Windows installed Drivers) for 14 months..Your total System is adequate enough to run the new windows 7 version.(NOW)

TRY.. the Option on the F8 Safe Mode.

If Windows starts under Safe Mode, and you DID install a Program just before all this occured..delete that program and/or Game whilst

in Safe Mode from Add/Remove. and restart the PC.

Just as a pre-caution ALSO, and it can do NO harm, also delete the VideoCard..It will re-install again at the next start, so dont worry about this recommendation. IF no program had been installed..deleting and

re-installing the VideoCard (Drivers) AND, Windows DOES restart correctly this time,simply means that a Video Driver has become corrupted(faulty) which CAN occur.

IF all fails..Start the PC from a Windows Install cd disk and re-install Windows. NOW, I did say IF ALL ELSE Fails. when and if re-installing\

Windows is necesary..select the Option of deleting the Windows version installed and install a fresh version..Yes, I know, it means maybe losing some files/documents/programs (whatever)

BUT at least you WILL have your PC back and functioning correctly again.

Please remember..without actually seeing your PC..my recommendations are recommendations ONLY..But one of them WILL

be correct.

Answer 3

Have you checked your Temps with 100% load? If you are checking your temps at idle you are defeating the purpose. Try something like OCCT, Everest or any other program designed to stress test the CPU and make sure that heat is not your issue.



Just because a part has been working for 14 months doesnt mean that something could fail. Case in point. Had my Video Card installed for 5 months with no trouble. Then all the sudden it started playing up. Come to find out that the video card was overheating due to a faulty connection to the fan.

Answer 4

at what point does the computer restart? is it just while you are useing it generally...or is it at startup?



it coul really be only 4 things

1: bad ram, ( use memtest to test it )

2: overheating: Cheack contact between heatsink and cpu ( reseat HSF)

3:Virus ( try a diff hard dive)

4: Bad psu - if your psu is some crappy brand, it will probably be full if interfearence and cannot supply a current voltage to save its life, so you may need to go with a recognised brand....corasir...ocz etc



otherwise if you still cant find the answer, i would try asking the guys over at ocforums.com , ther'e very helpful

Answer 5

Same thing happened to me, i had 2 hard drives and pulled on off and it was running fine as normal while my pc is 2.8Ghz , 4GB Ram and 500GB+250GB.

I removed the 250GB harddrive and worked.

Having two harddrives slows down the R.A.M and will also crash the pc.



NOTE: You cannot stop it from restarting since the blue screen came.



or



Software Problems

Virus/conflict

RAM error

Answer 6

each so often it is an indication which you have a malicious software on your notebook -- verify and run a test along with your antivirus -- if your notebook is popping off and you arent on a internet site then probability is you have gotten a plague -- yet while your notebook is popping off once you're in a internet site this is that the information superhighway internet site is applying to a lot of your supplies -- run a radical test in secure mode

Answer 7

does it load windows before it restarts or just past the POST and BIOS?



if it does load Windows, try running Cmd.exe (command prompt)



then tyep



shutdown -a





it will abort the shutdown immediately, then you can inspect and use your PC