Windows XP Restarting Randomly

I'll be using an application, or it will just be @ the desktop screen, and my cpu will restart without any warning or anything like that. It doesn't happen 'extremely' frequently, but at least every other day at one point. Is there a log I can check to see whats going on? This is a year old tower and this problem has only started recently.

I would call my manufacturer, but those crucks want $20 per 15 minutes or something like that. Help me out here.

Thanks.

 

You need to give us a little more info so we can help you. For starters what kind of system is it (desktop or laptop) and what are the specs?

It's hard to go with the little info you gave us. I've had desktops mysteriously reboot in the past. That problem is usually a power supply that's dropping one of the 5V/12Vrails. It's also possible you could have a drive that's going bad and knocking out one of those rails and so the PS will reboot when the voltage comes back.

If it's a laptop that's a little trickier.

 

For BSODs...

1) make sure you HDD has no errors.
- go to START > CMD > Type: CHKDSK C: /F
- press Y for Yes, restart, it will scan for errors

2) make sure your memory does not have errors (I had to swap sticks because mine had errors)
- read this for memory test:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=142746

 

Sorry about that:

Desktop
Intel D945GTP_ (Motherboard)
Windows XP: SP2 Media Center Edition 2003
ATI X1950 GT (Pretty Big Card, put in 6 months ago)
Audigy 2 ZS (Also a big soundcard, put in a couple months ago)
3 GB RAM

Now I'm not 100%, but I'm sure I have the 550watt power supply. Thats what I believe I read when putting in some of the hardware.

Thanks.

 

How many drives HDD and DVD drives total are in the system? What CPU are you using?

I'll see if I can Google it but there's a conversion chart that will tell you if your PS can handle what you have in the system. What brand PS is it?

 

Intel Pentium D 945 (Dual Core 3.4Ghz)
I have one Hard Drive and One DVD-R drive.

Is there any way I can tell the power supply manufacturer and power without opening up my tower again? CPUz maybe?

 

why are you afraid to open it up?

its easy.

 

lol, I ain't afraid ...

na, I'm just lazy. I have to move around a lot of things. But I'll make it happen, and let you guys know.

 

If it just restarts with no blue screen or anything, it could simply be overheating. Clean out the fans and reapply thermal paste (if applicable).

I don't know of anyway to check the PSU brand without opening it. I don't think there is a way. No way as easy as just opening it at least.

 

Do you still have the manual to your ATi card? Some of those larger cards draw a lot of power. Some of those cards even require a minimum of 450 watt PSU. I have a nVidia 7900GTO and on the box it says 450 watt PSU required. If the video card starts to get a little warm it will draw more current. It could be pulling down your PSU and causing reboots.

I'm running a 550 watt PSU. Those that are running SLI or Crossfire configurations are using larger power supplies.

One last question. Are you over clocking your CPU, Memory or video card?

 

Don't know if it will help but worth a try: You can try looking at ur event log by right clicking on 'My Computer' and click 'Manage'....You can see what goes on before it shuts off on you...u might want to clear the logs then check back when the comp. acts up and restarts on u....worth a look!

Edit: Great Minds think alike Leon

 

I'm pretty sure you can check Event Viewer to see what's happening. But it might not show up because it might not have time to register.

 

My power supply is 550 watt, I don't overclock my CPU and memory, and I haven't overclocked my videocard for a long while (months ago). This problem only started within a couple weeks.

 

. have u tried a restore point - if u had one?
. or run a virus/malware scan?

cheers ...

 

It may be simply because Windows XP is simply carrying out automatic updates, and it is restarting to complete the updates. Try simply going to the security centre in Control panel, and switching off automatic updates.

 

Restarts are a bummer cause.
It's usually when the computer has insufficient power to run,but you`ve ruled out OCing.
Bad RAM will do that also.
Overheating will do it too.
A bad connecter can do it , incidentally.
Check all of the above...
-Right click on my computer, properties,etc. Follow the pic instructions and disable auto-restart.

And one thing, do this :

 

Disable the autorestart is a damn good idea, if the computer restart with this option disabled you'd know it's not windows fault.