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What causes random reboots without messages in the event vie

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  • CPUs
Last response: in CPUs
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May 23, 2007 7:25:28 PM

I'm trying to fix an old Alienware computer (out of warranty). It randomly reboots. I've checked the event viewer and there are not messages.

Motherboard: P4T533-C
CPU: Pentium 4 3.06GHz
Memory: 1GB RDRAM
Video Card: ATI 9700 Pro

The CPU was clocked down to 2.3GHz by Alienware. I tried booting at the full 3.06 but it just locked up. I'm not sure if there is a middle ground between 2.3GHz or not.

Since there are not messages in the Event Viewer, and it is a clean install, i'm guessing the problem is hardware related. I removed the sound card and the modem to eliminate them as the cause.

I don't have any spare RDRAM memory (who does), nor do i have a spare Socket 478 chip laying around.

Has anyone came across this before? I'm guessing the problem lies in either the Motherboard, CPU, Memory or PSU.

More about : random reboots messages event vie

May 23, 2007 7:44:21 PM

I'm so confused. Is it locking up or rebooting? Does it happen at 2.3GHz or only 3.06GHz?

I would suggest trying a stress utility such as orthos to see if it passes, or if the load/heat might be what causes the reboot. It really does sound like a hardware problem, especially if none of the software/drivers has changed recently.
May 23, 2007 8:12:08 PM

Sorry, it is rebooting. The screen goes black, then the fans spin back up and the boot-up starts.

It was randomly resetting (rebooting) and locking up before i did a clean install.

Now after the install, it has not locked up, but it still reboots. This only happens at 2.3Ghz, i cannot get it to boot properly at 3.06GHz.
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May 23, 2007 8:24:18 PM

Are you running the memory at a slower speed for the 2.3GHz configuration? How many DIMMs does your system have, and how many slots do you have? 4 DIMMs in 4 slots is a recipe for overheating, especially if they are high performance like RDRAM.

In any case, my guess is that your processor or memory is overheating.
May 23, 2007 9:08:42 PM

Are you able to try another power supply? Maybe the person above is right....it could be overheating make sure the cpu cooler is on right.
May 23, 2007 9:10:57 PM

The first thing to do on any pc that starts randomly rebooting is to run memtest on it. If it passes go from there.
May 23, 2007 9:17:58 PM

To clarify: run memtest86+ from a bootable floppy or CD (the disk image is freely downloadable).
May 23, 2007 9:36:04 PM

My vote is PSU....Try another. Have had the same problem. random restarts..Have had two different Rigs do this and got new PSU ....problem fixed. Good luck!
May 23, 2007 10:50:34 PM

Try opening your computer case and use a vacume to suck out dusts. Check behind the motherboard if there's any short. Check if any capacitors are blown or leaked.
May 23, 2007 11:40:25 PM

Quote:
Try opening your computer case and use a vacume to suck out dusts. Check behind the motherboard if there's any short. Check if any capacitors are blown or leaked.


I agree with this post. Dust inside the case could be causing cooling problems or maybe even a high resistance short.

Having read the original post again, I would agree with Doglips. If the problem isn't fixed by cleaning out the case(and checking the fans), then it is probably the power supply.
May 23, 2007 11:44:43 PM

Does your computer reboot when
eg.. when you touch it or move it by accident
when you used the computer for over a certain time
when you plug in a device such as a USB flash drive
running some cpu intensive program even if it only last for less than a second... example: opening task manager takes up approx. 10% cpu power for less than a second.
May 24, 2007 6:44:58 PM

I already ordered a new PSU, even if that is not it, i can use it in another computer somewhere.

There is no dust. I checked behind the motherboard and it looks clean.

I don't move it, or plug in a USB when it reboots. Currently, i start it up, it boots into windows, either i let it sit there, or i try to go to a website, and it reboots.

So i'm waiting for the new PSU to get here. And i'm going to run memtest86+ on it and let it run over night to see what that gives me.

I tried using TAT (Intel Temp. Anal. Tool) but it said it has the wrong CPU. I know it is a P4 3.06.

In for question about how many sticks, i'm using all 4 slots. If the memtest comes up clear, i'm going to remove 2 at a time and see if it stops the reboots. Now i just need to find the blank memory sticks to run the mem test.

Thanks for all the help, i'll post an update when i got some new results.
!