Windows 7 Restarts randomly

MWBRITTO

Honorable
May 1, 2013
4
0
10,510
My computer has two bad "behaviours":
1) Keeps randomly restarting.
2) When I shut down via menu, it doesn´t shut down but restarts.
There is no BSOD in both cases. When it starts again doesn´t show any error message in both cases
In Safe Mode it doesn´t happen and when I run UBUNTU via optical drive and it doesn´t happen either.
My computer was made in the beginning of 2012 by myself:
System summary:
Windows 7 Home Premium Edition Service Pack 1 build 7601 (64-bit),
1 x Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz,
11.7GB RAM,
Intel(R) HD Graphics,
2 x 1397GB HDD - 1 x 1863GB HDD,
CD-RW/DVDRW/BD-RE - CD-RW/DVDRW,
General:
System Name: MW-PC
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Motherboard Name: P8Z68-V LX
Motherboard Version: Rev X.0x
Motherboard Serial Number: MT7018K21605602
BIOS Manufacturer: American Megatrends Inc.
BIOS Version: 4003
BIOS Release Date: 08/22/2012
CPU:
CPU manufacturer: Genuine Intel
CPU Type: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHz
CPUID: Family 6, Model 2A, Stepping 7
Physical CPU's: 1
Cores per CPU: 4
Hyperthreading: Disabled
CPU features: MMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 DEP PAE Intel64 VMX SMX Turbo AES
Clock frequencies:
- Measured CPU speed: 3110.7 MHz [Turbo: 3411.7MHz]
- Multiplier: x31.0 [Turbo: x34.0]
- Base Clock: 100.0 MHz
Multiplier range: Min: x16, Max non turbo: x31 [Turbo: 4C: x32, 3C: x33, 2C: x33, 1C: x34]
Cache per CPU package:
- L1 Instruction Cache: 4 x 32 KB
- L1 data cache: 4 x 32 KB
- L2 cache: 4 x 256 KB
- L3 cache: 6 MB
Memory
Total Physical Memory: 11991MB
Available Physical Memory: 10137MB
Memory devices:
Slot 1:
- 4GB DDR3 SDRAM PC3-12800
- Kingston 9905403-437.A01LF
- XMP: 1.65V, Clk: 800.0MHz, Timings 9-9-9-27
Slot 2:
- 2GB DDR3 SDRAM PC3-12800
- Kingston 9905403-171.A00LF, serial#: 1493420106
- XMP: 1.65V, Clk: 800.0MHz, Timings 9-9-9-27
Slot 3:
- 4GB DDR3 SDRAM PC3-12800
- Kingston 9905403-437.A01LF
- XMP: 1.65V, Clk: 800.0MHz, Timings 9-9-9-27
Slot 4:
- 2GB DDR3 SDRAM PC3-12800
- Kingston 9905403-171.A00LF, serial#: 1946385423
- XMP: 1.65V, Clk: 800.0MHz, Timings 9-9-9-27
Virtual memory: C:\pagefile.sys (allocated base size 11990MB)
Graphics
Intel(R) HD Graphics
Chip Type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC Type: Internal
Memory: 2300MB
BIOS: Intel Video BIOS
Driver provider: Intel Corporation
Driver version: 9.17.10.2932
Driver date: 12-12-2012
Monitor 1: 1680x1050x32 59Hz (Primary monitor)
Disk volumes
C: Local drive, NTFS, (1397.26GB total, 984.16GB free)
D: Local drive, Musicas, NTFS, (1863.01GB total, 433.65GB free)
E: Local drive, Storage, NTFS, (1397.26GB total, 620.90GB free)
F: Optical drive, V696, CDFS
G: Optical drive, V513, CDFS
K: Local drive, SAMSUNG, NTFS, (931.50GB total, 473.91GB free)
Disk drives
Disk drive: Model: ST1500DL001-9VT15L Serial: 9VS0YJHZ (Disk: 1, Size: 1397.26GB, Volumes: C)
Disk drive: Model: ST2000DM001-9YN164 Serial: 5YD4J333 (Disk: 2, Size: 1863.01GB, Volumes: D)
Disk drive: Model: ST31500341AS Serial: Z1E0G4K8 (Disk: 0, Size: 1397.26GB, Volumes: E)
Disk drive: Model: Samsung M3 Portable USB Device Serial: C8062G14AAAX2Z (Disk: 3, Size: 931.50GB, Volumes: K)
Optical drives
G: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 (CD-RW/DVDRW/BD-RE)
F: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH20NS15 (CD-RW/DVDRW)
Network
Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (Speed: 100Mb/s) (MAC: 14:DA:E9:F4:C1:7A)
Ports
Communications Port: COM1 - RS232 Serial Port (max Baud rate: 115200)
Keyboard Port: PS/2 connector
USB
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1C2D
- HP Deskjet 4620 series (SN: CN2BR214CK05TN)
Intel(R) 6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1C26
- V Micro. Corp. PC Camera
- A4Tech Wireless Battery Free Optical Mouse
- JMicron Samsung M3 Portable (SN: 00000000011E0F98)
ASMedia XHCI Controller
PSU - Zalman ZM-500- HP
Cooler CPU - Zalman CNP 510 X


What I Already did:
a) Updated BIOS
b) Cleanned all temp files and run softwares to clean malwares e adwares. Run anti-vírus via Linux - AVG Rescue CD and WEB - Eset
c) Changed CMOS battery
d) Cleanned all the Fans, motherboard a case
e) Checked all wires and connection. Change power cables to HDDs.
f) Windows 7 Home Premium Original Clean Install (Formated the system HDD)
g) Installed all the motherboard drivers via ASUS site - the most recent ones
h) Installed Windows Office 2007 original install + AVAST free anti virus
i) Run MEMTEST86 during 15 hours and 11 minutes - 18 passs - no error - Run CHKDSK in the system hdd - no error
j) All work I did with an open case - No overheating
k) When I run UBUNTU for the first time I left the computer running for more than 15 hours - no error, no restarting. In the second time I run form more than 9 hours running some memory and CPU testes - no error, no restarting
l) All the web recomendations - No automatic restarts after crash - switch off buttom to shut down, computer iun performance mode (no sleeping), minidump record, and no wake up via network adapter. Installed o WhoCrashed. As I don´t get any BSOD, nothing to read on WhoCrashed !!!
m) Installed and run Burn-in for one hour. The worst case for CPU temperature was 48 celcius degrees. no error, no restaring.
n) In my point of view I may have windows problems, drivers problems (wich ones?) and HDD problems (where the system is). I don´t think I have PSU problems (it doesn´t crash on UBUNTU, in Windows SAFE MODE, 15 hours running MEMTEST86)
o) Som results from Event Viewer: Administrative Events:
Event 6008 - EventLog
The previous system shutdown at 11:03:54 on ‎28/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 11:43:20 on ‎28/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 23:40:58 on ‎28/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 13:08:56 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 14:25:13 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 14:57:39 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 15:41:04 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 17:05:23 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 17:37:50 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 19:45:04 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 20:17:22 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 20:58:43 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 21:35:28 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 22:08:21 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 22:41:01 on ‎29/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 17:23:22 on ‎30/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 18:06:25 on ‎30/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 18:40:08 on ‎30/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected.
The previous system shutdown at 19:27:22 on ‎30/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 22:35:07 on ‎30/‎04/‎2013 was unexpected
The previous system shutdown at 09:26:55 on ‎01/‎05/‎2013 was unexpected.

Event 41 - Kernel-Power
The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.
28/04/2013 - 11:06:20
28/04/2013 - 11:45:06
28/04/2013 - 23:42:20
29/04/2013 - 13:10:10
29/04/2013 - 14:26:39
29/04/2013 - 14:59:01
29/04/2013 - 15:42:37
29/04/2013 - 17:07:20
29/04/2013 - 17:40:23
29/04/2013 - 19:46:07
29/04/2013 - 20:18:13
29/04/2013 - 21:00:28
29/04/2013 - 21:37:21
29/04/2013 - 22:10:01
29/04/2013 - 22:42:52
29/04/2013 - 23:44:58
30/04/2013 - 17:24:55
30/04/2013 - 18:08:08
30/04/2013 - 18:41:06
30/04/2013 - 22:02:07
30/04/2013 - 22:36:24
01/05/2013 - 09:28:14

All details from Error 41 are the same:

BugcheckCode 0
BugcheckParameter1 0x0
BugcheckParameter2 0x0
BugcheckParameter3 0x0
BugcheckParameter4 0x0
SleepInProgress false
PowerButtonTimestamp 0
 
To troubleshoot - the first thing I would do is to remove all but one of your memory modules, and see if you still get the random reboot. If it continues, swap out for another memory module, and retest. If this continues with all of the memory modules, that would eliminate the RAM.

Second - take all of your BIOS settings to "failsafe defaults" (this removes all over clocking and enhanced features), and try it again.
 

MWBRITTO

Honorable
May 1, 2013
4
0
10,510
Ronintexas - Thank you for your answer. I will do what you suggested, but because the problem doesn´t happen running UBUNTU (linux) via CD and in the safe mode, I do not think it is a RAM problem or even hardware problem.

Mr. Onus - Thank you for your answer. My PSU is Zalman model ZM 500- HP
 
Hmmm, for it not to happen in Safe mode suggests a software problem, except that you did a clean install, so there shouldn't be any old drivers hanging about. It's probably still worth testing the RAM, although RAM problems typically cause BSODs or lockups rather than restarts.
If the PSU is mounted on the bottom of your case, is it getting decent airflow, not blocked by the carpet? Does its fan run? An overheating PSU will shut off.
 
I recently built a new computer for my wife. I couldn't get Windows to load - BSOD even when installing Windows. Ubuntu worked fine. I broke down and removed one stick of RAM, BSOD. So I swapped them - and it worked. I was able to get her up and running with the one stick of RAM, and when I had a few minutes to run down to the computer store, I exchanged the RAM and everything has worked well since then.
 

MWBRITTO

Honorable
May 1, 2013
4
0
10,510
Hi
I did the test with the memory sticks as Ronintexas`s suggestion, one after another, with all of them, running in the same and in different positions in the motherboard, and the computer restarted all the time.
My PSU is installed in the top and I cleaned it and the fans. It doens`t like broken.
So I decided to remove all HDD but the OS one, and test cables - data cables and power cables.
I got some error messages and lost the OS boot because of it. Then, when I tried to do a clean windows 7 installation again, the computer started the restarts error again, and it was unstable, restarting without finishing the OS installation, all the time. Even the windows 7 repair installation did not work.
Then, just for test purposes I installed the UBUNTU OS in the HDD and it worked fine, no restarting error, for at least 2 hours.
Once again I tried to do a clean windows 7 installation. The computer started the restarts error again without finishing the windows 7 clean installation.
Without understanding why it worked with UBUNTU and did not work with windows 7, I decided to change the PSU, and installed an old PSU.
BINGO !!!
I finished the clean windows 7 installation, drivers and some software too.
It is working now, with the old PSU, for more than 8 hours with no restarts errors !!! I will leave it running for a day or more.
Monday morning I will buy a new PSU to install and to have all the others HDDs installed again.
I thank you all for your help and suggestions.
What drives me crazy is... I still do not understand why UBUNTU runs without any error, running in CD installation or HDD installation, why worked in windows 7 safe mode and in the regular windows 7 don`t!!!
Do they have different power consumption of PSU for the HDD and/or CPU and motherboard ? Is it any interaction with PSU and devices in different manners depending on the software power demands, or something like that?
If somebody knows the answer, please let me know. I really would like to learn it.
Thank you all again
Mario
 
Ubuntu doesn't have the overhead that Windows 7 does. In several instances, I have had builds that ran Ubuntu (or other flavors of Linux) without an issue, but Windows XP/Vista/7/8 won't run. I have traced the end resolution to a motherboard, RAM, GPU and PSU (never a processor or drives so far).

Removing multiple drives would also put less of a strain on the PSU. I put full faith in Corsair, Seasonic and Antec. There are other manufacturer's out there that make decent PSUs, but Corsair, Seasonic and Antec are solid every time.

When power supplies are rated, sometimes you have to read the very fine print. When they say "max wattage", that doesn't always indicate that it can operate sufficiently in that range.

I use this PSU calculator to pick my PSUs for builds: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

It will calculate minimum/recommended range, then I add 10-20% to the rating (future upgrades, etc). So if it calculates to a recommended value of 500W, I get a 550-600W PSU.

Buying a solid PSU is always the foundation of the system....