Computer restarting randomly!!!!! [RESOLVED]

greg_926 · 03-13-2007, 10:49 PM

Hi,

Ok, let me start by saying thank you in advance to anyone who can give me any sort of help to this problem.

My computer loves to restart on me randomly but only when I'm playing games. My first thought was the graphics card, so I tested it out with a different one and the same thing happens. So I thought maybe there was a conflict of drivers somewhere, so I formatted the computer and yet the problem remains.

A little history. This problem only started happening when I had purchased a new case and lights for my computer and paid a computer technician to fit them. I also noticed at that time that my on-board sound had died so I had to put in a cheap $30 one in just to have sound. Just so you know, I have been in BIOS and disabled my on-board sound.

Basically I am fed up with the computer crashing and restarting on me at random times. It makes some sort of clicking noise like a sound is repeating itself before the computer restarts. It gives me no error message of any kind before it restarts so I have nothing to go on.

My computer also seems to run very slowly lately. When Windows starts, it seems to take forever. Could this all be related to my RAM? If so, why is it that the restarting has only started happening since I transferred everything to the new case and installed the lights and fans?

I just don't get it and it's frustrating the hell out of me. Could someone please post something to point me in the right direction to fixing this problem?

If you need anymore information about this problem, please let me know.

Thanks.

**mattlock** · 03-14-2007, 12:03 AM

Since it started happening after getting a new case and some lights the problem is more than likely either heat related, or power supply related. Could you post Make and Model of your case and power supply?

If the case you bought has poor air flow you systems could be gettung to hot during gaming and becoming unstable.

If you have a cheap power supply, the extras you added might have pushed your systems power requirements beyond the capabilty of the PSU.

greg_926 · 03-14-2007, 03:18 AM

Thanks for your quick response.

Ok, the case I have is a Thermaltake Soprano. It didn't come with its own power supply so I bought one. The PSU is an EZCool ATX-500 (500W) Socket 775.

I don't think the pc is getting too hot because I have 4 fans in there but it could possibly be that the air flow is bad and things are still heating up. How can I check this?

**Deleted090308** · 03-14-2007, 05:03 AM

Hi!
Have you tried dxdiag? Can you get through the display tests? Are you overclocking the graphics card?

Nicholas

**koala** · 03-14-2007, 05:19 AM

Your 500W PSU may not be strong enough to cope with the additional lights and sound card. Enter your full system specs into this power calculator and add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency.

Where are your case fans and how are they positioned? The front one should be pulling cool air in, the back one blowing warm air out, and any others depends on their position.

Does the clicking sound come from the speakers or inside the case? Open the case and if it sounds like it's coming from the hard drive, run the manufacturer's diagnostic utility to find and fix any errors.

**linderman** · 03-14-2007, 05:56 AM

your PSU lacks the muscle >>>>> read the power supply sticky in my signature links >>>>>> yours would be in the power desktop class

**TheMatt** · 03-14-2007, 12:59 PM

Post your temps and voltages using SpeedFan in my sig. That will verify an overheating or PSU issue.

greg_926 · 03-14-2007, 03:29 PM

WOW!!! I love this site. You guys are a great help.

Eneles, I am not overclocking and yes I can get through the dxdiag display tests. Do you want me to post my dxdiag here?

Ok, Koala, I did the power calculator thing and added the 30% like you said and it came to 368W which should be fine im guessing. I've checked the fans and the back one is definately blowing air out and the front one is definately sucking air in. The clicking sound is coming from the case and sounds like it's coming from the back of the case towards the rear fan....i'm not 100% sure where it's coming from. All it sounds like is if i'm doing some sort of action and that action is frozen for about 1 second, then stops and the computer restarts. It's almost like the computer has completely frozen for a split second.

Linderman, I can't seem to find that specific topic in your signature. Sorry!

TheMatt, FanSpeed told me that the computer is running at 36C and my voltages are as follows (I assume they are from the bottom area of the SpeedFan program):

+2.5V: 2.47V | +3.3V: 3.35V
Vcore: 1.49V | +1.5V: 1.52V
+3.3V: 3.35V | +1.8V: 1.74V
+5V: 5.13V
+12V: 12.06V

Once again, thanks guys for all you have done so far.

Regards

**linderman** · 03-14-2007, 06:40 PM

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...selection.html

**speedster123** · 03-14-2007, 07:45 PM

Also
Can you tell us what anti virus/malware programs you have installed?
Did you in fact open the case to inspect for dust build up, and determine that the clicking wasnt coming from your hard drive?

greg_926 · 03-14-2007, 10:17 PM

My anti-virus is Avast!, anti-spyware is Ad-Aware Personal, and my firewall is just the standard Windows one.

I have cleaned the inside of the computer of all dust. I am not sure where the clicking is coming from. It sounds like it is coming from the rear of the computer somewhere but my hard-drives sit at the front. My setup on my hard-drives are as follows. Could this setup be the cause of problems?

HDD 1: Windows and similar programs
HDD 2: Games

Do I need to have the games running on the same hard drive as windows is on? Like I said, I think the clicking is only the computer freezing up for a split second while it begins to restart. It does it at complete random times. Some days I can go without a single restart and other times it restarts on me about 4 times a day....but only whilst playing games. It has never done it while I am doing anything else, like Microsoft Word or browsing the net.

**speedster123** · 03-15-2007, 04:56 AM

Most games need to be installed on the same drive as the operating system.
Unplug the second drive and see if the noise continues.

greg_926 · 03-20-2007, 01:14 AM

Ok, here is an update to things at the moment.

I opened up the side of the computer and let it run while I played games without the side. I did this because of the possibility of poor air flow. It seems to have improved the restarting problem but not fixed it. The computer now restarts a lot LESS but still does it.

I have that SpeedFan program running and every now and then I check it to see the temperature of the computer and it seems to be running at around 42C.

I have also disconnected two of the fans which I thought may free up some power for the power supply but like I said, it still restarts.

Any more ideas anyone???

**linderman** · 03-20-2007, 08:47 AM

blow a house fan into the system while gaming then report back with your evaluation?

**TheMatt** · 03-20-2007, 01:28 PM

Is it rebooting or shutting down? Try disabling automatic restart on system failure (press F8 right after the POST) and post the entire BSOD message.

greg_926 · 03-23-2007, 07:14 AM

Ok, here is what the system failure message says when it goes to the blue screen.

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Technical Information:
STOP: 0x000000D1 (0x0000005C, 0x00000008, 0x00000001, 0xF70E50C4)

P16.SYS - Address F70E50C4 base at F70CD000, Datestamp 42e057d2

I hope any of that means something to you. Like I said, i have formatted the pc several times but this blue screen is referring to a driver_irql at the top of the blue screen. I have NO idea.

Thanks.

03-13-2007, 10:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
greg_926 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 21 OS: XP Pro My System	Computer restarting randomly!!!!! [RESOLVED] Hi, Ok, let me start by saying thank you in advance to anyone who can give me any sort of help to this problem. My computer loves to restart on me randomly but only when I'm playing games. My first thought was the graphics card, so I tested it out with a different one and the same thing happens. So I thought maybe there was a conflict of drivers somewhere, so I formatted the computer and yet the problem remains. A little history. This problem only started happening when I had purchased a new case and lights for my computer and paid a computer technician to fit them. I also noticed at that time that my on-board sound had died so I had to put in a cheap $30 one in just to have sound. Just so you know, I have been in BIOS and disabled my on-board sound. Basically I am fed up with the computer crashing and restarting on me at random times. It makes some sort of clicking noise like a sound is repeating itself before the computer restarts. It gives me no error message of any kind before it restarts so I have nothing to go on. My computer also seems to run very slowly lately. When Windows starts, it seems to take forever. Could this all be related to my RAM? If so, why is it that the restarting has only started happening since I transferred everything to the new case and installed the lights and fans? I just don't get it and it's frustrating the hell out of me. Could someone please post something to point me in the right direction to fixing this problem? If you need anymore information about this problem, please let me know. Thanks.

03-14-2007, 12:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
mattlock moderator hardware team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,822 OS: XP SP2, Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Since it started happening after getting a new case and some lights the problem is more than likely either heat related, or power supply related. Could you post Make and Model of your case and power supply? If the case you bought has poor air flow you systems could be gettung to hot during gaming and becoming unstable. If you have a cheap power supply, the extras you added might have pushed your systems power requirements beyond the capabilty of the PSU. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

03-14-2007, 03:18 AM	#3 (permalink)
greg_926 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 21 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Thanks for your quick response. Ok, the case I have is a Thermaltake Soprano. It didn't come with its own power supply so I bought one. The PSU is an EZCool ATX-500 (500W) Socket 775. I don't think the pc is getting too hot because I have 4 fans in there but it could possibly be that the air flow is bad and things are still heating up. How can I check this?

03-14-2007, 05:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,281 OS: Xp	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Hi! Have you tried dxdiag? Can you get through the display tests? Are you overclocking the graphics card? Nicholas

03-14-2007, 05:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,172 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Your 500W PSU may not be strong enough to cope with the additional lights and sound card. Enter your full system specs into this power calculator and add 30% to the total to allow for PSU inefficiency. Where are your case fans and how are they positioned? The front one should be pulling cool air in, the back one blowing warm air out, and any others depends on their position. Does the clicking sound come from the speakers or inside the case? Open the case and if it sounds like it's coming from the hard drive, run the manufacturer's diagnostic utility to find and fix any errors. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

03-14-2007, 05:56 AM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! your PSU lacks the muscle >>>>> read the power supply sticky in my signature links >>>>>> yours would be in the power desktop class __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

03-14-2007, 12:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Post your temps and voltages using SpeedFan in my sig. That will verify an overheating or PSU issue. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

03-14-2007, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
greg_926 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 21 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! WOW!!! I love this site. You guys are a great help. Eneles, I am not overclocking and yes I can get through the dxdiag display tests. Do you want me to post my dxdiag here? Ok, Koala, I did the power calculator thing and added the 30% like you said and it came to 368W which should be fine im guessing. I've checked the fans and the back one is definately blowing air out and the front one is definately sucking air in. The clicking sound is coming from the case and sounds like it's coming from the back of the case towards the rear fan....i'm not 100% sure where it's coming from. All it sounds like is if i'm doing some sort of action and that action is frozen for about 1 second, then stops and the computer restarts. It's almost like the computer has completely frozen for a split second. Linderman, I can't seem to find that specific topic in your signature. Sorry! TheMatt, FanSpeed told me that the computer is running at 36C and my voltages are as follows (I assume they are from the bottom area of the SpeedFan program): +2.5V: 2.47V \| +3.3V: 3.35V Vcore: 1.49V \| +1.5V: 1.52V +3.3V: 3.35V \| +1.8V: 1.74V +5V: 5.13V +12V: 12.06V Once again, thanks guys for all you have done so far. Regards Last edited by greg_926 : 03-14-2007 at 03:32 PM.

03-14-2007, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! http://www.techsupportforum.com/hard...selection.html __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

03-14-2007, 07:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Also Can you tell us what anti virus/malware programs you have installed? Did you in fact open the case to inspect for dust build up, and determine that the clicking wasnt coming from your hard drive? __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test

03-14-2007, 10:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
greg_926 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 21 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! My anti-virus is Avast!, anti-spyware is Ad-Aware Personal, and my firewall is just the standard Windows one. I have cleaned the inside of the computer of all dust. I am not sure where the clicking is coming from. It sounds like it is coming from the rear of the computer somewhere but my hard-drives sit at the front. My setup on my hard-drives are as follows. Could this setup be the cause of problems? HDD 1: Windows and similar programs HDD 2: Games Do I need to have the games running on the same hard drive as windows is on? Like I said, I think the clicking is only the computer freezing up for a split second while it begins to restart. It does it at complete random times. Some days I can go without a single restart and other times it restarts on me about 4 times a day....but only whilst playing games. It has never done it while I am doing anything else, like Microsoft Word or browsing the net.

03-15-2007, 04:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,911 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Most games need to be installed on the same drive as the operating system. Unplug the second drive and see if the noise continues. __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test

03-20-2007, 01:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
greg_926 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 21 OS: XP Pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Ok, here is an update to things at the moment. I opened up the side of the computer and let it run while I played games without the side. I did this because of the possibility of poor air flow. It seems to have improved the restarting problem but not fixed it. The computer now restarts a lot LESS but still does it. I have that SpeedFan program running and every now and then I check it to see the temperature of the computer and it seems to be running at around 42C. I have also disconnected two of the fans which I thought may free up some power for the power supply but like I said, it still restarts. Any more ideas anyone???

03-20-2007, 08:47 AM	#14 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,056 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! blow a house fan into the system while gaming then report back with your evaluation? __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

03-20-2007, 01:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: Computer restarting randomly!!!!! Is it rebooting or shutting down? Try disabling automatic restart on system failure (press F8 right after the POST) and post the entire BSOD message. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides