Computer keeps rebooting

Hi All,

Have been having an infrequent problem with my computer, in that it will just out of the blue reboot, sometimes it will just get to the 'windows' page and reboot again and again several times - then it will be fine for hours or days later. Other times, it will do it more frequently - as you can imagine it can be rather frustrating.

Is this likely to be a computer problem or just maybe a power interruption problem that isn't enough to cause other appliances to switch off. A few years back we did have major power problems here and with many new houses in the area was wondering if my computer problem may actually be a local power problem.

Your thoughts and suggestions appreciated from this person whose computer is basically 'a glorified typewriter'! :)

thanks

Jan

It's possible it's a software problem. Simple way to test that, boot from a DOS floppy, leave it at the command prompt - and take the disk out. If it still reboots, then it's hardware/power related. If it doesn't reboot, then it doesn't rule out software, but it does make it less likely.

Might be worth contacting your electricity supplier and asking them whether there's any way they could test your supply for glitches. I think they can plug in a device to test for it - technically it's definitely doable, but whether they have the equipment or interest is another matter.

If you suspect power may be the issue, try a UPS - the cheapest model here would do if it's just a transient problem. Also very handy in power cuts ;)

Something else that sometimes causes random rebooting is a thermal problem inside the computer - those usually manifest most in warm weather though, and/or after the computer's been on a while.

There's also a possibility that the power supply in the computer is on it's way out - how old is the machine?

Thanks Lan,

I do know the power company can check our power supply, as they have done it in the past - knowing my luck there though it would be one of those days I don't have any trouble.

The computer is several years old - guessing about 5 years and is on for long hours every day.

Thermal problems - now if the fan wasn't working properly which I do suspect that may be the cause?

They're all looking like good candidates unfortunately. 5 years old puts at the edges of the Taiwanese capacitor fiasco range - failing capacitors, either on the motherboard or in the power supply could cause those symptoms.

Thermal is also very likely if there are fan problems though, very likely indeed.

On the basis of what you've told me, I'd say most likely thermal related, second likely failing capacitors somewhere, third most likely dodgy mains supply. But that's without looking at it, or getting a feel for your local supply situation.

Try the software option first - it's free, and easy ;)

thanks Lan, will do the software first

but guessing I will have to bite the bullet and spend some money on my 'toy'.

jan

After reading your OP i thought thermal problems.
I actually took the sides of my case and got a small desk fan to cool it down and the PC went fine until i could afford an upgrade.

given the costs and specs of PCs now compared to 5 years ago i think you'll be amazed at how fast the difference is.

Woa stop for second, you're doing this the hard way!

Windows Xp has a feature whereby the operating system will cause the computer to reboot whenever a critical error is detected. If your Windows XP computer is rebooting, perhaps then you could try turning this feature off which will instead give you an error message. Once you have the error message it should help either you or one of the people on this forum help you :)

How to turn off Auto Reboot in XP

Right click on My Computer

Select Properties

Select the Advanced Tab->Startup & Recovery section

Select the Settings button

uncheck "Automatically restart" Apply".

This will give you a blue screen with the error message rather than rebooting the computer.

If you write down the message we can go from there :-)

It's usually a software problem as it was said above but you must check your power source as well. Fluctuation of electricity can be a reason for it as well. The electric company can't keep a clear voltage and sometimes is a bit higher or lower. This can really kill all appliance parts you might have plugged in.