[more_MP3]

Hey all,

Alright, since my HD on my laptop died, I've been working on getting my old desktop working again. This computer was one of the first generation XP OS. In the last 24 I have installed and updated the following:

All of them are the newest versions as of 4pm yesterday.
Service Pack 2
Security updates
Newest version of Java
Open Office
Flash Player 9
Windows Media Player 11
Limewire
AIM
Mozilla Firefox
The software for Linksys Wireless adapter
Printer and print server software.
AVG 10

My computer now will randomly restart. I haven't been able to find a program or anything common that will cause it to restart. Is there anything I can check or look for?:4-dontkno It's literally driving me insane....

 

[BCCOMP]

What is the make and model of this PC.
Is it an older P4 ?
Are the fans and CPU heat sink clear of dust?
Bill

 

[more_MP3]

Its an E-machine T-1100. The inside is pretty clean. Everything worked fine until I installed all the updates and other programs. The computer has been working for the last few months. I did a system restore on it a few months ago and have only been using it for music. It had no internet connection until yesterday.

 

[BCCOMP]

I see you are using Limewire (not good). Do you have any viruses or spyware?
Are there any errors in the device manager?
Is there any error code associated when it shuts down (BSOD)?
Does the Event Viewer in Computer management give you any errors?
E-machines are noted for poor power supplies. This may be causing your issue.

Normally there are 3 main issues (there are others) that may cause random shut downs:
Power Supplies.
Over heating due to poor ventilation (Fans, Heatsink).
Software (Viruses, Spyware, Faulty drivers, etc.).

When does this issue appear the most (on the Web, Burning, Downloading, Gaming)
If you are doing music how much space is left on the HD (Specs say you only have a 20GB HD)?

Random shut downs can be hard to diagnois as it can be caused by numerous things.
Bill

 

[more_MP3]

LimeWire has been on there for only 24 hours (length of the time its had internet access) and I've only downloaded one file.

I can't complete a virus scan before a restart.

While sitting down here, I've been listening to the computer (upstairs) restart about every 10-15 mins.

I haven't seen any error code in the event manager, nor during a shut down.

It doesn't matter what I'm doing, the restarts show no pattern. The only thing I can think of is that its connected to the internet.

As far as HD space it still has 13GB free out of 20GB.

And to the best of my knowledge, the power supply has never been replaced.

 

[ThorXP]

In order to figure out why you are getting random reboots, you need to make a settings change to your computer. Go to:

Start > right click on My Computer > Properties > Advanced tab > Setup and Recovery 'Settings'

UN check 'Automatically Restart'. Click OK.

Reboot your computer. Now when Windows detects a problem it will not automatically reboot, but rather give you a blue screen.

Blue screens are often called 'Blue Screens of Death' (or BSOD) by users, and 'Stop Messages' by Microsoft. We need to know the exact message you see when you get the blue screen. We especially are looking for a set of letters and numbers about half way down the page that take this format:

0x0000008e

This is usually followed by a set of 4 similar numbers in parenthesis. For now we just need the first set of letter and numbers (before the numbers in the parenthesis).

 

[BCCOMP]

Are ther any errors in the device manager?
For a quick guess I would replace the PSU, if you are sure there is no heat related issues.
Can you try to download and install SPEEDFAN under my signature. POST the results of your temps and voltages.
Bill

 

[more_MP3]

Ok, I did the unchecking of the automatic restart, did a reboot, and nothing. Waited for it to restart itself, and still no BSOD.

Installed Speed Fan. Don't know where to get the results, such as a report to post. I can tell you the following just by going through the program.

Win9x:NO 64Bit:NO GiveIO:YES SpeedFan:YES
I/O properly initialized
Linked ISA BUS at $0290
SMBus successfully enabled
Linked Intel 82801AA ICH SMBUS at $1100
Scanning ISA BUS at $0290...
IT8702F found on ISA at $290
SuperIO Chip=IT8702F
Scanning Intel SMBus at $1100...
SMBus msg : SMB Error $14 : FAILED (50)
SMBus msg : SMBus $14 KILL is set (CNT=$02): clearing it (final reset)...
Address $30 appears to be WRITE ONLY...
SMART Enabled for drive 0
Found ST320410A (20.0GB)
End of detection

Under the charts tab, I can only get the temp of the HD which is 44.0

Fan 1: 0 RPM
Fan 2: 2733 RPM
Fan 3: 2689 RPM

Also, The device manager shows no errors.

 

[BCCOMP]

Do you get any voltage readings at the very bottom in the readings tab?
Bill

 

[more_MP3]

Hey, sorry I haven't gotten the chance to post the voltage readings yet, its been a long weekend. On a side note, I did one more update from windows, not sure which, but the restarting has stopped for the most part. It does it now when I'm running alot of programs. Can an overload of memory cause the restarts?

 

[BCCOMP]

Hey, sorry I haven't gotten the chance to post the voltage readings yet, its been a long weekend. On a side note, I did one more update from windows, not sure which, but the restarting has stopped for the most part. It does it now when I'm running alot of programs. Can an overload of memory cause the restarts?

Hi,
I am glad the update you did helped a little.
I need to know the complete specs of you system (make,model,CPU,RAM ect. ect.). If you could download and run EVEREST under my signature and post the results, it may help me "see" what is going on with your PC.
Have you run anti-virus/spyware programs? If so what are you using?
Do they come up with anytrhing?

I am still going with the PSU as MOST E-Machines have the worst PSU.
Do you have or have access to another PSU?
In any case I would replace the PSU, before the original fails. For the most part an original E-machine PSU, when it POPS, will take out the MoBO and CPU. I would replace the PSU ASAP.