random re-boot 2

[tyrantfour]

i would have just posted in the original random reboot thread but i felt that it was too far off topic. my problem is that my computer randomly re-boots itself. completely random. sometimes when i close a game, or windows media player, click a link in the internet browser, close a window, or like last time, press play in media player. any ideas?

this all started happening sometime after downloading new windows updates. did microsoft screw me again? how can i take all the XP hotfixes out?

[EzyStvy]

See the attached pic. Turn off auto reboot and you should get a Blue Screen error with tons of info to narrow down the problem.

[tyrantfour]

well, its been a quite a few hours since the last re-start, seems to have worked.
thanks ezystvy

[skyrider]

You may have an overheating problem. Download 'Motheboard Monitor' http://mbm.livewiredev.com/ to check CPU and MB temperatures. Check to see if your cooling fans are running OK.
I had this problem last month and resolvind it by replacing an erratic CPU cooling fan.

[VietBob]

I was having this problem. In my case, it is apparent that a combination of overheating and probable electrical shorts was the cause. When I opened the case, I found fan grills caked with accumulated gunk, and the same gunk (dust, hair, GUNK) coating every horizontal surface - the backs of all the cards, the RAM, everywhere.

Unless your computer is fairly new, and definitely if it runs in an unfriendly environment (dust, smoke, pet hair), I'd bet if you open the case up and clean the whole thing, the problem will vanish.