randomn shutdown

[Waks]

hi guys,

its been a while since i was last on here... but i have a problem.. i build my own pc last summer and it was all well until recently.. when i switch my pc on it loads and i can work on it for about 10 mins b4 it shuts down and restarts.. any reason as to why this can be happening..

thanks waks

sys spec is below

[mike breck]

Hi Waks,

Does it tend to reboot when a specific program is running?

Have you made any software or hardware changes recently?

First of Disable Automatic Reboot in XP so you can see any error messages it might be throwing up.

Right-click My Computer>Advanced tab>Startup and Recovery>Settings>System Failure>untick the "Automatically Restart" box.

Although P4s run cooler than AMDs, it could be the CPU overheating. Go into the BIOS and monitor the CPU and mobo temps for 30mins and see what it says.

Also if you haven't cleaned inside the case for a year, you could have a lot of dust in there which can lead to overheating and shorting. So give all your components and fans a good clean with a can of compressed air.

Try running it with the case open and see if that eliminates the reboots.

A faulty PSU could also cause reboots. Try swopping another one in and see how that affects it.

[Cricket]

Hi Waks,

The problem could also be the motherboard you're using. ECS motherboards have been known to be a little flakey.

Cricket

[Airmack]

are all case fans working, cpu fan working?

[Waks]

Does it tend to reboot when a specific program is running? == nope, any program that is running..

Have you made any software or hardware changes recently? nope..

First of Disable Automatic Reboot in XP so you can see any error messages it might be throwing up. not using XP, using win 2000

Right-click My Computer>Advanced tab>Startup and Recovery>Settings>System Failure>untick the "Automatically Restart" box.

Although P4s run cooler than AMDs, it could be the CPU overheating. Go into the BIOS and monitor the CPU and mobo temps for 30mins and see what it says. monitor is ok..

Also if you haven't cleaned inside the case for a year, you could have a lot of dust in there which can lead to overheating and shorting. So give all your components and fans a good clean with a can of compressed air. == new case no dust inside it.. its very clean

Try running it with the case open and see if that eliminates the reboots.

A faulty PSU could also cause reboots. Try swopping another one in and see how that affects it. == just put in a new PSU.. will try again today

[glc]

Win2000 has the same automatic reboot - there is a checkbox on the startup and recovery page you need to uncheck.

[no_fat_chicks]

I've seen random reboots caused by a video card not seated right in the slot although it appeared to be..

It can also be caused by faulty RAM..try removing 1 stick..

Also, if you have a temp monitor in the BIOS boot up & keep an eye on the temp after several minutes..alternatively get a software temp monitor..