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Any suggestions? It seems like this problem has always been there but recently it's gotten a lot worse.

My PC seems to reset whenever it's doing multimedia-intensive stuff. For a while the problem was just games -- they would crash to the desktop maybe once over a span of 2 hours. Now they reset the whole machine after 5 or 10 minutes of play. It used to be just big 3D games, but all of a sudden even 2D emulators and Mavis Beacon were resetting the system. Video playback doesn't seem to cause any issues, but every now and again my system will reset even when I'm just doing heavy multitasking (browser + newsgroup reader + IM + Office).

What could the problem be? I'm told that it's almost always the power supply in situations like this, but I'm curious if it could be related to anything less serious (software/driver problems) or anything more serious (borked motherboard). Just for reference, this problem has spanned multiple upgrades to video and audio drivers so I don't think that's where things are rooted.

 

[Kung Fu Jedi]

How many fans do you have and are they all working properly? It could be an overheating issue.

 

[xsarien]

A spontaneous reboot is either an overheating issue or a stability issue. Go to your system properties and check out the Advanced tab. In the startup/recovery option box, uncheck automatically reboot.

The next time it happens, you should get a blue screen with (hopefully) some useful information about what's going on.

 

[border]

4 fans....case temp is around 28-33 Celsius usually. I was under the impression that overheating wouldn't quickly reset your system -- that you would see a good deal of glitching up before it did that.

 

[automagnus]

90% of the time it means you need a new

Have you ever reached your hand behind your PSU, is the air very hot?

 

[rc213]

Check Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Event Viewer

Check for errors under Application/System.

 

[border]

The air coming out of the PSU is just a mildly warm breeze, and I can touch the back of it with my hand and keep it there indefinitely without it getting too hot.

The errors in the Event Viewer all seem to be Application Errors and Application Hangs. What sort of errors should I be looking for in System Errors?

 

[Ford Prefect]

I expected a post more like this:

Help! What do I do? I can't seem to be able to do anything before it- OH CRAP NOT AGAI-

 

[Scoobert]

It's most likely your power supply. It's all ready been mentioned in the thread, but that's most likely it.

 

[xsarien]

The air coming out of the PSU is just a mildly warm breeze, and I can touch the back of it with my hand and keep it there indefinitely without it getting too hot.

The errors in the Event Viewer all seem to be Application Errors and Application Hangs. What sort of errors should I be looking for in System Errors?

If an application error and/or hang is severe enough, it will take down the system. Windows' default reaction to that is a reboot. This is happening only when you do specific things, right? Or is it random?

Have you reinstalled recently?

 

[border]

That wouldn't really explain why games running with no other apps in the background still reboot the system. The Application Errors really don't seem to fit the frequency of the reboots either -- mostly it is just logging Firefox crashes (damned thing seems more unstable with every release) and emulator crashes. It happens when I do specific things (not random), but I'm unable to really nail down where it's coming from.

I haven't re-installed recently -- or ever. Fuckers didn't even give me an install disc with the PC.

 

[Teddman]

That happened to me and it was the power supply. Soon it will stay off...

 

[xsarien]

That wouldn't really explain why games running with no other apps in the background still reboot the system.

Even with nothing running on the taskbar, there are still plenty of services and background apps that are in memory and active. Given that it's happening during games, my hunch is that it's a video driver file that isn't getting overwritten when you reinstall those files. (Windows does that on occasion, it's a dumb installation policy.)

The Application Errors really don't seem to fit the frequency of the reboots either -- mostly it is just logging Firefox crashes (damned thing seems more unstable with every release) and emulator crashes. It happens when I do specific things (not random), but I'm unable to really nail down where it's coming from.

I've had the exact opposite experience with Firefox, but let's not take the thread there.

I haven't re-installed recently -- or ever. Fuckers didn't even give me an install disc with the PC.

If you're absolutely sure that none of the bundled discs contain a copy of XP, call those bastards up and demand the disc. Technically its yours.

 

[golem]

ram or power supply i would figure... if you dont get BSOD i would lean more towards a power problem.

my antec neopower rocks! just need another pci-e cable for sli

 

[teh_pwn]

If you're system hardware hasn't changed, then it's most likely the PSU. You haven't taken your RAM out or anything lately?

My brother had reboot problems with my old PC. Turned out one of the memory sticks had some corrupt addresses/whatever. Never had a problem with it myself, but I guess when I rebuilt the machine I damaged it.

Run that memtest program. I don't recall the name exactly. If your memory's fine, then I'd say PSU. Anything else would be extreme, like mobo or loose CPU connection or something.

 

[pestul]

Disconnect your PSU from the motherboard and have a look a the leads.. sometimes one of them goes. That being said, it's almostly certainly the added load on the PSU, and she's probably going.

Are you monitoring the cpu temp?

 

[Shogmaster]

I haven't re-installed recently -- or ever. Fuckers didn't even give me an install disc with the PC.

How long since you've had that PC? If you've been using it for more than 18 months, it's time to reinstall IMO.

 

[border]

What's a decent app to monitor CPU temp?

And does anyone know what the memtest program is (the one that the_pwn) is referring too?

I haven't done any hardware upgrades lately.....or ever, now that I think about it

Even with nothing running on the taskbar, there are still plenty of services and background apps that are in memory and active.

Well I know that, but errors aren't being logged in any of the background services either. Just Firefox, really.

 

[border]

call those bastards up and demand the disc. Technically its yours.

Do I really need to get a Windows install disc from them? Is there any problem getting it through "alternative sources", so long as my Reg key is valid?

 

[Naked Snake]

My PC had the same problem for the past year maybe (it's not always resetting though, sometimes it just hangs completely, no mouse movement or crtl+alt+del, no nothing), I used to think it's a software problem for the longest time, but eventually realized that it's a hardware issue cause it even happens in DOS and during initial Windows setup from CD... I think it's the power supply, I should get a new one but I can't be bothered it seems.

 

[Shogmaster]

Do I really need to get a Windows install disc from them? Is there any problem getting it through "alternative sources", so long as my Reg key is valid?

You might have to call MS and have your reg key converted to use with regular WinXP disc. I remember doing that for a MS program once that came with an OEM machine.

 

[border]

Should I bother with tech support?

The computer is still technically under an on-site service warranty, but how would you rate my chances of getting the PSU replaced? I really don't want to spend an hour on the line with some thick-accented Indian tech support guy that I can barely understand, as he reads off some patronizing list of possible solutions....only to have them deduce that the problem is somewhere else or is not reproducable enough to justify sending out a tech. Even if that works, they'll probably just dump another cheapass power supply on me.

OTOH, I'm not really comfortable replacing a power supply on my own and getting a local shop to do it would be pretty expensive. Does CompUSA still have that policy where they do a free installation of anything you buy in store (over $50)?

 

[xsarien]

Should I bother with tech support?

The computer is still technically under an on-site service warranty, but how would you rate my chances of getting the PSU replaced? I really don't want to spend an hour on the line with some thick-accented Indian tech support guy that I can barely understand, as he reads off some patronizing list of possible solutions....only to have them deduce that the problem is somewhere else or is not reproducable enough to justify sending out a tech. Even if that works, they'll probably just dump another cheapass power supply on me.

OTOH, I'm not really comfortable replacing a power supply on my own and getting a local shop to do it would be pretty expensive. Does CompUSA still have that policy where they do a free installation of anything you buy in store (over $50)?

Personally, I'd be surprised if it's the PSU. If you've had the system for awhile and never did a fresh install (and if you previously or still use IE for casual web surfing), it's probably just a software issue that's gotten to some kind of breaking point.

You should reinstall the OS every 12-18 months anyway, it's just good housekeeping.

 

[Teddman]

My power supply died after about 3 1/2 years. I ordered a new one from the manufacturer and had it installed at Best Buy (those HP units are smaller than normal PSU's and a bitch to replace). Total cost was around $100 or a little more.

Best Buy does have a nice diagnostic service where they will apply the cost of the diagnosis to whatever service you end up needing.

 

[teh_pwn]

That's pricey. You can get like a 550 Watt Antec Truepower for that price.

xsarien could be right. It could be software.

 

[Teddman]

That's pricey. You can get like a 550 Watt Antec Truepower for that price.

Well that was the PSU + diagnosis & labor of replacing it.

 

[border]

How rough is it doing an OS re-install? I've never done them before. Whenever I wanted to freshen things up I would do a full format, then a full install....but at the moment I'm in no mood to start backing up all the stuff I'd need to keep. Will I need to re-install all the old apps? I'm not sure if I still have working discs for a lot of this stuff.

 

[teh_pwn]

You have a retail PC?

Then it should come with a few discs for reformatting. Takes like 30-40 minutes.

The hard part is backing up what you have.

 

[Creamium]

I used to have this problem too. PC just resetted itself at random moments, irritating the hell out of me. The cause of my problem wasn't the power supply (I replaced that first), it was just bad RAM. Maybe you could try replacing it, you never know...

 

[Teddman]

My advice to you is to just take it into a shop for diagnosis. Don't try to be Mr. Fix it unless you really know what you're doing, it could just be counterproductive. It's OK to admit you're in over your head.

I did a lot of stuff to my PC at first too, thinking it was a virus issue or software problem. In the end, I only made things more complicated because it was a pure hardware thing.

 

[border]

All I got with my system (that's Windows related) is a crummy "Recovery CD Rom" that I doubt is going to have a full XP install on it. I've never tried using it or even opening the package though....just took it out of the shrink wrap now...and I'll check it out when I'm done burning this DVD.

It's OK to admit you're in over your head.

It's not so much a machismo thing as it is a "I don't want to pay $50/hour plus parts" thing.

 

[xsarien]

How rough is it doing an OS re-install? I've never done them before.

The hardest part is backing up your data.

Whenever I wanted to freshen things up I would do a full format, then a full install....but at the moment I'm in no mood to start backing up all the stuff I'd need to keep. Will I need to re-install all the old apps? I'm not sure if I still have working discs for a lot of this stuff.

Yes, you'll need to reinstall the apps. The alternative is to run the repair utility, but I've never quite trusted it to do a thorough job.

You've got two options: Waste time reinstalling, or waste money on trying to fix a nebulous hardware problem.

 

[border]

Do I lose everything on a re-install or just the old apps? I was under the impression that as long as you didn't format the drive, it'd keep everything as it was, and some heavier apps would require re-installation or reconfiguration. I never trusted re-installs myself, since I figured it'd keep a lot of the old dust bunnies around anyway.

You've got two options: Waste time reinstalling, or waste money on trying to fix a nebulous hardware problem.

Or continue to put up with this until I buy another PC. Woohoo!

 

[Pellham]

have you tried unchecking the option for the system to automatically restart if it gets an error? that usually fixes it if it's a software problem. it's found in system properties->advanced->startup and recovery settings

 

[border]

I did that and it hasn't restarted since, but then I haven't tried to push the machine with any 3D games or heavy multimedia stuff.

 

[DMczaf]

My power supply died after about 3 1/2 years. I ordered a new one from the manufacturer and had it installed at Best Buy (those HP units are smaller than normal PSU's and a bitch to replace). Total cost was around $100 or a little more.

Best Buy does have a nice diagnostic service where they will apply the cost of the diagnosis to whatever service you end up needing.

I need to upgrade my power supply so I can get a new video card (HP came with 200W) I went to the HP website and the only PSU they had for my computer was the same 200W PSU -_-

 

[Firest0rm]

I had this problem 2 months ago, ended up with my mother board dying. Hopefully the say won't happen to you.

 

[DHGamer]

90% of the time it means you need a new

Have you ever reached your hand behind your PSU, is the air very hot?

Agree, I pulled my hair out for 2 months running spyware/virus checkers, scanning the net etc. Finally just put a new power supply in and the computer's been running perfect for over a year now.

Save yourself the headache and just pick a new one up.

 

[Diablos]

Before you buy a new PSU and tear apart your PC, lower your memory timings and external speed. It could be a memory problem. For example, if you have it set as 200 (or DDR400), take it down to 166 (or DDR333). You can do this in the bios.

If the problem goes away then your memory is failing.

 

[fart]

congratulations! with the nightmare that is commodity pc hardware nowadays, it could be anything!

 

[Sjoerd]

It's probably a memory problem. Try removing one of the modules if you have two or more to identify which one is defect. You could also try downloading a memory test program, don't really know where to find one right now, maybe someone else has a link?

Don't think it's your temps, considering the fact that you have 4 casefans.

 

[CurlySaysX]

it's the GPU most likely.

 

[pestul]

it's the GPU most likely.

Might be.. but he said 2D emulators would crap it out too and they wouldn't be very strenuous on the card. They might still be using some hw effects though for filtering and such. Put it this way, if the 2D emulation is causing the card to go down, that puppy is on its deathbed.

 

[Vormund]

I need to upgrade my power supply so I can get a new video card (HP came with 200W) I went to the HP website and the only PSU they had for my computer was the same 200W PSU -_-

200W?! Here's me thinking 550W wasn't enough in my machine.

 

[Queeg]

I had something similar happen to me almost a year ago where the PC would just shut itself off randomly. Thought it had to be the power supply doing it. But I'd re-installed windows trying to fix another problem first, and the machine ran perfectly again until I put on all the M$ patches again. Needless to say after another re-install I'm running minimal M$ updates on this machine now and it's been working perfectly for close to a year now

I'd suggest the re-install first before spending money on anything just yet. Also a re-install would be easy enough if you've got your HDD partitioned with a small windows partition, that way you can quickly format windows without the need of backing everything else up.

 

[border]

Thanks to thse who've kept bumping the thread and offering opinions.....though the situation hasn't really gotten any more clear. :lol

Can someone recommend a good memory test program?

Is it possible to re-install Windows without formatting the entire HD? Couldn't you just tell it to overwrite the old C:/Windows?

I've been logging the reset errors I get when the system crashes and here's the messages:

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (most frequently given)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Once it added a line in the memory dump section of the BSOD message that wasn't normally there:

USBPORT.SYS ADDRESS FAILED F681D21D BASE AT F6818000

Also, when the computer crashes during a 3D game, I get a blue screen but there's no message whatsoever. Only crashes "in Windows" will return a proper error message.

Any new suggestions, given this extra information?

 

[Outlaw]

Did you build your computer or you bought it? If you put it together then take off the cpu heat sink and remove some artic silver, I'm assuming that's what you used. Add a very very very small layer. I had that problem.

 

[Diablos]

I've been logging the reset errors I get when the system crashes and here's the messages:

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (most frequently given)
IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

It has to be memory related. I got the same error whenever I used Samsung-based memory in my A7N8X Deluxe 1.04. My board just does not like Samsung memory at full speed. Lower your memory's speed to the lowest possible setting, like 100MHz.

Memory testing program: http://www.memtest86.com/

Remember, test one DIMM at a time. Two at once will give you inaccurate results.

 

[border]

So I should yank out one stick of memory, then test the one remaining....then do another test with the opposite stick?

EDIT: One time I got an area that said something like PAGE FAULT IN UNPAGED AREA. Anybody know what that means?

 

[fart]

kernel panic due to an addressing error. again, could mean just about anything.

strip everything except the bare essentials from your computer. run 24 hour stress test. if it fails, you know it's one of the last remaining parts. if you can afford it, dump all of them. if it passes, add one part at a time, testing for at least 12 hours until the tests fail again. the last part you added is most likely the culprit.

of course, i'm assuming single faulty part. could be worse than that.