Help, computer keeps rebooting

[Fantasy]

It had been working fine the past half year, but recently it keeps rebooting by itself, sometimes it even reboots during startup, and sometimes it wont for few hours.

Heres my specs
Windows XP
P4 2.4
1G DDR RAM

[noby]

you could : test for spy -ware, adaware and malware.
try another power supply

noby

[el_novato]

Have you done any recent changes to it? Hardware or Software? Right click My Computer>Properties>Advanced>Settings under Startup and Recovery>Uncheck Automatic Restart.

The next time it reboots it will give you a BSOD. Post back with the error message, that will provide a clue.

e.n.

[Fantasy]

I didnt find any spy/adwares, but I dont have another power supply to try

I did add a new Maxtor harddrive to my computer, no other changes

Heres what I get from the blue screen

A problem has be detected, and windows has been shut downt o prevent damage. DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL If................................................. ................................................... Technical information Stop:0X000000D1 (0X0CC483FF, 0X000000FF, 0X00000000, 0X0CC483FF)

[bigandy]

Here's an explanation of the error:http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...d_stp_ottj.asp

For troubleshooting, check out this page: http://www.microsoft.com/resources/d...d_stp_hyzf.asp

[Fantasy]

Sorry, but I dont understand what it means with the IRQL and adresses, but I think it's the HD that caused the problem, should I reinstall the HD, if so do I have to format it?

[pam123]

Originally posted by Fantasy Sorry, but I dont understand what it means with the IRQL and adresses, but I think it's the HD that caused the problem, should I reinstall the HD, if so do I have to format it?

Follow your instinct and remove the new HD, if the problems clear up then you need a better power supply.
If the problems continue then we can look for other causes.
Just one step at a time please.

[Fantasy]

I removed the HD, however I still get random reboots, but not as often as before.

[JFrizzle]

This has happened to me once. Doing a system restore to the last day it worked right did the job for me, try it.

[Fantasy]

...Can't, I just reformated it.

[Panama Red]

What does Device Manager show? Any conflicts there?

[pam123]

Lets hear it for JFrizle!!!
If matters have improved you can try restore ( you need a new psu, there's no out here ).
Matters narrow down.
The bios could need an update, or it could just need a reset.
Read the mobo manual now !!!!
The fact that it's much less frequent tells you you're heading in the right direction.


edit : A hardware problem could be there but just do one glitch at a time.

[Fantasy]

How do I update the BIOS? After I formatted my computer it reboot alot less frequent now.
Edit* No conflicts in device manager.

[pam123]

What happened when you removed the new maxtor; dodging the problem won't help.

[Cricket]

Do you have 1 GB stick of RAM or 2 sticks of 512MB RAM? If you have more than 1 stick of RAM, try removing all but one and see what happens.

Also, sometimes a dodgy driver (video, sound, etc...) can cause this problem.

And can you post your complete system specs.

Cricket

[RayH]

Sounds like MS BLAST worm!

[Fantasy]

Specs
Antec Case with 420 Watt PSU
Pentium 4 2.4C
2 Geil 512MB PC3200 Ram
WD 36GB 10000RPM
Maxtor 120GB 7200 RPM
SoundBlaster Audigy 2
Radeon 9800 Pro
LiteON DVD Rom
Plextor CD-RW Rom

Removing the HD didnt solve the problem
I dont think its blaster worm since I formatted my computer but it still occurs

[builderboy]

It could be your powersupply could not be producing enough power. I had that happen on my old computer, I had a 300 watt power supply and like 3 hard-drives, 2 cd drives, and a ton of lights and fans inside the case. After I got a 430W powersupply I have had no trouble.

[pam123]

Agree with builderboy, I know it's an Antec case but is it an Antec powersupply?

[Fantasy]

The PSU is 430 Watt ATX12V True Power, is that brand not good, think I need a better one?

[pam123]

Don't buy anything yet.
That should be a good ps though it may be failing.
But first, since you are getting that error message, remove and reinstall the drivers for your 9800.
If you recently updated to the 4.4s roll back to the 4.3s.

[Fantasy]

I reinstalled the driver for video card, but it didnt solve the problem, any other sugestions?

[pam123]

Does the video card work in another computer?
You may be looking at an rma and, if that's the case, you'll need to know this.
You can try uninstalling and reinstalling in safemode, if you haven't already, but if that doesn't work the card goes back.

[andyms18a]

have you tested the ram with http://www.memtest86.com/

[TeenPcknowit]

One of you're tricky friends may have slipped a line into you're registry for this odd behavior to occur. I beleive it is holding down the shift key at the start up will help remedy you're sitchuation if it is in fact a registy line. Someone correct me if i'm wrong. Otherwise Its probably the blasterworm. You may as well go into you're registry for the heck of it and clean it out if you get the chance.

Start Menu/run/(type)regedit/ back up the registry/ delete objects that you know are foreign, and un-needed. DON'T TOUCH STUFF THAT YOU DON'T KNOW.