Gaming XP Ramdom Restarts

[Keeley]

@Strider I could maybe try that but the computer shuts down way before it even hits the desktop =( and I don't think you read incorrectly, I leave the side of my tower off, maybe I should put it back again to see what happens

@ubbalv29 I really doubt it *rushes to the windows to check* but if that's the case then well... I dunno...

 

[Strider]

Ok then either close the case again, or put a fan besides your pc blowing air inside. Or maybe try both

Could you download Linux on another pc? Or maybe you've got a pc magazine with ubuntu or something.

 

[Keeley]

yeah i can download ubuntu on my laptop but its Windows 2000 and doesn't have a CD burner and I downlaod at 30kb/s lol, is their a Ubuntu lite lol

 

[Splych]

Ubuntu, go to their site and order one. It is free xD

 

[Keeley]

I think I'm going to reinstall XP and see what happens while donwloading Ubuntu here 5hours and 46min remaining

 

[Strider]

Well good luck, I'll have a look later and see if anything worked out.

Instead of the big Ubuntu download, you could also try
Puppy Linux (100 MB) or
Damn small Linux (50 MB)

 

[Keeley]

Haha wow Damn Small Ubuntu wow thanx man! But I think I'm gonna try Puppy Ubuntu first, do they have less features or are they discontinued or something?

 

[Isaiah]

This happened to me before too. I took off the heatsink/fan, then applied some thermal paste and put in back on. I also got 2 1GB ram sticks

 

[Keeley]

This still happens when I do a fresh install, gonna try Linux in the morning,

Oh yeah thanx for all your suggestions I really appreciate it!

 

[xoinx]

But of course I'm gonna check that again, but mine does shut down completely when it overheats, but as mentioned in my other post I now think its either a virus or software related problem since it doesn't' shut down in the BIOS.

it may still be a PSU related issue since the processor tend to work harder after booting into the OS and an insufficient voltage from the PSU can cause a kernel panic and hence a restart. being in the BIOS uses less system resources and may not strain the PSU enough to cause a restart. i'm guessing that would be the most likely problem.

in any case, if you have some alcohol wipes, it may be a good idea to clean up the contacts for the different components in your comp. when too much dust gets into the comp, weird problems like freezing/restarting may occur.

about the random restarts, what is it like? i.e. hard reset? or like a restart from within windows? if it is from within windows with the shutdown screen, you may want to try executing "shutdown -a" from the start bar.

i hope this helps. good luck...

 

[suppachipmunk]

This is happening with my old desktop too. I had plans to use that thing as a torrentbox, but it restarts in the same manner you are referring to.

I have done all of the following to no good...
check RAM, one stick at a time,
tested PSU with a PSU tester,
reapplied artic 5 thermal compound,
cleaned the entire case with compressed air,
reinstalled windows,
integrated graphics, so no reseating that,

I think I have done it all. I cant figure it out.
If anyone here figures it out, please let me know.

I have googled this topic till my fingers bled. most say overheating, but the computer should shut down completely, not reboot. If it is a graphics card, it should beep 2 times at boot up.

The specs are:
Intel P4 1.7GHz
512MB RAM
Integrated Graphics
Stock 250W??? PSU

got it in 2001, old as hell

 

[xoinx]

just wondering, is your computer a diy/custom-built computer? usually stock PSUs for budget diy computers are really sucky and may have an actual rating much lower than advertised. when you start upgrading components etc, the PSU becomes unable to supple enough power and the system just restarts... it is a possible problem... if you have another more powerful system, you may consider swapping the PSU and testing the performance again

 

[Keeley]

Well I tried to install Linux this morning but when it boots up it will hit a "Kernel Panic Error" gonna look for solutions to that.

@xoinx I guess your right about the BIOS not resetting, never thought about it that way, and bout the resets they are hard resets, but I wonder about the PSU cuz sometimes it will boot up to the desktop sometimes it'll last bout a second and reboots and then works for a sec and reboots and so on.

 

[dawn.wan]

my 2 cents... I also think its the PSU.

 

[xoinx]

trying to isolate the problem might be tricky, but it is safe to say that it is a hardware issue. best for you to send it in for repairs, cos this might be out of your capacity to fix, unless you have experience with electronics etc.

alternatively, you might just want to migrate all your data to a new computer and sell that off at a second hand store, the effort and cost of repairing a cold computer (esp when you consider the out of production components if there are any) may not be worth it.

 

[dawn.wan]

maybe your CPU is overheating.. did you overclock?

Sometimes a vid card over heat and do it as well.. but IIRC you have onboard