Random freezing and restarts

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For some reason one of my PCs will randomly restart. No indication, but I'll be doing something standard, things ranging from small things like clicking, or something larger like opening a program, and it will just reset. And sometimes when I boot up this computer as it does the typical startup things in Windows it freezes.

 

Doesn't sound good. The standard answer you'll get around here is: don't use Microsoft. But as that is usually not an option, all I can suggest is:
- get some spyware / virus checkers to clear-up any viruses and other insidious malware from your drives ( I once had a virus that made my PC shutdown)
- get some sort of clean-up utility that deletes other unnecessary junk from your drives
- uninstall any appliactions you no longer use
- if none of that works then you'd be well advised to reinstall your whole system (sometimes that is the easiest approach as it almost guarantees a clean smooth-running system)
- if that doesn't work, buy a new PC.

 

Defective memory?

I had a case of that, but it would only crash during something system intensive, like a game. Otherwise, I could listen to music and type without problems. But the second I turned on a game, it would either reboot or crash to the blue screen of death.

DL Memtest86 and see how your RAM is.

 

@Harbourboy: option #4 seems a bit extreme

If you can get into Windows and have it work for long enough, try using Restore to go to an older state. It might be something got messed up at some point, and if that's the case Restore can return things to the normal state.

A format followed by a clean install will usually take care of any software problems. Just make sure to back up everything first!

 

Before you reinstall your system, make sure you have your driver CDs around. Sounds silly, I know, but you don't want to find yourself with a clean install and no drivers. Trust me, you don't...

Restore is a good option, so long as you have it turned on and not everyone has. If you end up formating, make sure you enable it after installing the system.

Apart from usual software mess, it can be feeder problems or a faulty motherboard. But more likely your feeder needs replacing. Check system temperature if your BIOS allows. If it's suspiciously big, maybe replacing the cooller will be enough.

 

If you use memory test 86 and it all passes fine does this guarantee that the problem isn't your RAM? Only I have similiar problems and memtest passed everything through...

 

I would say so, as memtest86 is quite thourough.

If you're using WinXp, System Restore is also an option.

EDIT: I also heard another way to test is to download Prime95 and put it through "Torture Test" mode.

 

Does Prime95 test ram or everything? Website?

 

It's just a program used to calculate prime numbers and is a good indicator of hardware problems. Best used with memtest 86.

These links should help:


Memtest

Here is what to do if and when Prime95 fails

 

I can't believe that no one has suggested that is most likely a HEAT problem!

Check your CPU fan and make sure it's working, and while your at it, use a can of compressed air (like Endust for Electronics' 'Duster') and clean out the dust on your CPU's heatsink as well as anywhere else dust has collected!

If you ever have random restarts always start by checking for a heat problem. ALWAYS!

 

Thanks for all the replies, I'll try some of this the next time I get a chance!

 

@reepnorp: Since you live in Canada I'd recomend you waterproof your computer case and keep it outside...that way the temp. never raises above normal!

 

Power supply

 

@Sarevok: are you sure about that?

In my experience in my MS Networking class a dying power supply usually isn't responsible for system freezes as reepnorp says at the end of the first post.

A new fan is a lot less expensive than a new PSU...if you have an old one that you know still works then switch them out to find out if it is the PSU.

A rule of thumb for all of you guys, always start with the smallest and easiest possible answer to a problem and then work up from there. Don't start somewhere high up on the list of possible suspects (like the RAM)...you'll end up spending too much money, and wasted time.

 

/me gabbles insanely for ages about MS Office and lost CDKeys
@Kitrax: Last night it was so hot in australia that my fan was running at maximum power just on desktop, while Windows Task Manager said I was using 1% of processing power... I hate global warming!!!!

 

@Yirimyah: I'd recomend a liquid Nitrogen kit for your computer then...either that or a different country to live in.

 

Kitrax is right, in my experience in networking, the problem of overheating and random restarts go hand in hand. and the cost of a fan is much less than a pc. Clean out the dust and crap and make sure the vents on the side or back of the PC are clear of debris and there is nothing blockin them as well. Alot of people hide their pc in a compartment in their desk where there is not alot of circulation and the heat builds up real quick.