Computer advice needed

[erilyn]

We're having a serious issue with the computer (a four year old desktop running WinXP). It's randomly rebooting, a lot. And often after it has (or when we've started the computer up), it'll take it two or three goes to boot properly, restarting itself over and over.

We haven't installed any new hardware or software lately, and I can't find any viruses or malware (which could just mean I'm not looking correctly, of course).

Does anyone have suggestions on likely causes for this or things I should check?

Since the computer is getting on a bit, we're thinking of taking this as a reason to replace it. Are there any reasons to postpone buying a new computer for the next few months, or is now as good as time as any? I know there's always new stuff coming out with computers, but sometimes there is good reason to wait a bit. We're thinking do it now, before we get stuck buying Vista before the first major bug fixes are done ;)

Comments

[poofusgirl.livejournal.com]

If there's a reason to wait, I haven't heard it yet. Plus with it being Christmas, the prices are usually lower than normal.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

Aweseome (apart from the rebooting thing, this one's been pretty good, but shiny new toy sounds so tempting).

[poofusgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping to get one for Christmas myself. Visions of laptops have danced in my head the past 4 nights. lol

[claire.livejournal.com]

Could be any number of things. Could be fluctuations in the power supply - maybe the power supply is getting old and failing, or the electricity supply in your house isn't as good as it used to be.

Have you tried starting it up in safe mode and letting it sit? That should give you an idea of whether it's hardware or software.

Have you got it set to reboot on errors? If it's a software error - that could be causing it (check in, umm (I'm not on Windows at the moment, so I can't be 100% sure), System Properties, Advanced Tab, Startup and Recovery/Settings - uncheck the "Automatically Restart" button or whatever it's called - it may just then BSOD and give you an idea of what the problem is.

The fan could be failing and it could be overheating.

It could be a problem with RAM - either it's not sitting properly or it's dirty or it's faulty - that could give inconsistent rebooting errors.

Umm, that's all I can think of right now.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

Yay, thank you, many things to check (this is good).

Though it better not be the power supply - it's the newest thing in the computer (it died sometime in the last year).

[glendaglamazon.livejournal.com]

I hate to tell you this, but that's what my desktop was doing before it died. And the way it died was XP would just no longer boot at all. I'd re-install the OS (remove all the files you need first, if you can), and see if that helps. Otherwise, yeah, if a new computer was on the horizon, just buy that.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

I think I've backed up most files now (programs is a whole other issue) - except my 150 gig of pop footage. I really wish I had a blu-ray or HD-DVD drive right about now ;)

Thanks!

[melpemone.livejournal.com]

If it's none of those things, check the core temp of your CPU. Mine was refusing to stay booted due to my hopelessly inadequate cooling system in my old computer. Ideally, it should be around 25C, but anything over 45 is *really* too hot.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

Could you tell from the outside of the computer that it was getting overheated? Or did you have to take the case off to notice?

[nic]

It was my wireless network card that did that to me - it kept endlessly searching for networks when I was out of range, and rebooting me with a memory dump when it got tired of searching.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

We don't have a wireless card, but thanks for the suggestion - finding out possibilities is good :)

[starafar]

I second the removing reboot on errors option, so that at least when you get the BSOD, you can google what's wrong with it.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

I have done so, thank you :)

[indybrat.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what the problem might be I just wanted to emphatically suggest you do a back up of your files as soon as you can.

[erilyn.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, we've been working on that :)

Though I haven't really started on my 150 gig of pop footage *sigh*.

[starafar]

Worse come to worse, remove the HD from that computer and hook it up to another. There might be a possibility that it ISN'T the HD's that failing. Or, download Linux (Knoppix, for example... it's available as an iso), and run that from a CD. You should be able to back up your files more easily that way, because Winblows won't keep rebooting.

[askance.livejournal.com]

One thing to check is the capacitors inside the computer on the motherboard. There was a bad batch a few years back, and it can produce this symptom, so it's worth pulling the case off and having a look. The capacitors (which stick up vertically from the motherboard) will appear to be bulging or leaking rather than being nice cylinder shapes. It can be fixed if you can find someone willing to dick about with your motherboard but frankly if it's four years old, it's time to think about your new shiny toy :)