System keeps rebooting

[mikejani]

Just bought a SOYO bare bones system with a Duron 950mhz processor. I assembled everything, added a cdrom and a cd burner, volcano fan and 128mb sdram. I got the system up and running just fine, then the system started to reboot at random. I reset the CMOS and it ran fine for a couple of days, then it started rebooting again. At this point I changed the memory several times and checked all my conections with the same results, continual rebooting, yes I cleared the CMOS after every change. I'm ready to return the barebones system and start over. Could I have a weak CMOS battery? I've never seen such erratic behavior in a system I've built. Usually it either works or it doesn't. Any ideas? I'm no expert, but I have built several systems and I've never come accross this.

[juppy]

Hi mikejani,

Is your heat sink and fan seated good/working properly? What are your processor temps doing? A hot CPU can cause some weird problems like this. Could also be a bad power supply. :)

[Cricket]

Hi mikejani,

What kind of power supply is in that barebones system? If it's a DEER or AUSTIN, replace it with something better and see if the problem persists.

:) Cricket

[morriswindgate]

Question: Has this computer been connected to the internet, without having the protection of an up to date Anti-Virus Program? Are you using AOL, AIM, MIRC, or other instant message program?

If you answer yes, then it is possible that you have infected the computer with a virus that if allowed to continue will destroy the boards chipset.

[mikejani]

Well, I've been busy checking all the stuff you guys are telling me, but no luck. My CPU temp is about 104, my fan is seated properly and running well. I even returned the barebones system and got a replacement, still got the same results. I ran norton viruscan, but it reboots before it finishs. I'm running an older Maxtor hard drive, could it be a problem with compatibility?

[Cricket]

Hi mikejani,

That hard drive you're using, are you using an existing installation of Windows on it or are you formatting it and installing Windows clean each time?

What OS are you using?

What other parts are you using with those bare bones systems? Can you list them.

Can you run the system with just the hard drive (no CD-ROM, CD-RW, soundcard, modem, NIC, etc...) without it rebooting all the time?

What other software do you have installed and do you have some running in background?

Is the RAM the same sticks used in both of the two systems? You can download the free DocMemory utility from Simmtester.com to test your RAM.

I do know that random reboots can be caused by a weak or fault power supply, that's why I asked if the power supply used in the bare bones system was a DEER or AUSTIN...these 2 brands are very problematic.

:) Cricket

[mikejani]

Well, after pulling the modem out, it has not rebooted once. I was really scratching my head, thanks for all your help.