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JBird · 02-05-2005, 09:53 AM

K. here are some tests you can do for intermittent reboots.

1. eliminate the power supply as the source. check the voltage output of the power supply. you can do this simple test with a voltmeter. test the hd, and ide molex connectors, you should get 12 volts and 5 volts for the various connections. if you dont have a voltmeter i suggest you go get one, it is a very useful troubleshooting tool. also later you can check to see how much power you are using while the computer is on. you never want to use more than 60 percent of your power. it will reduce the life of the psu and could cause system instability.

2. of course run a current version of antivirus and do a scan (im sure you have done this already)

3. get rid of the unnecessary. a good rule of thumb when troubleshooting. too many devices can cause the system to overtax the psu (like i said in #1) also check the taskbar or ctrl alt del and see how many processes you are running. 25-28 is the normal amount for xp.

4. remove all unnecessary devices and cards (modem, network, sound, printer, scanner etc...) remember you are trouble shooting here, get down to the barebones. less crap, easier to pinpoint problem

5. u said you already reseated the cpu and put more thermal compound on it....make sure to reseat the ram, and double check all connections/connectors

6.check the mobo for damage, shorts , frayed traces (circuits) , bad connections or faulty capacitors. if you see any browning on the board, or elecrtical damage, you could have ESD damage. in that case you need to trash it.

7.go ahead and exchange the ram if you cant find the problem at this point. rma it and get new dimms

8. install a better heatsink/cpu fan than the stock....although i doubt this is what is causing your restarts, it still is a good idea. i recommend anything by thermaltake...a volcano series.

hope that helps, i know it is frustrating, but after becoming A+ certified it is very rewarding to know how to identify, diagnose and solve computer probs. dont get frustrated and stay with it. oh, my biggest peice of advice, ALWAYS USE AN ESD WRIST STRAP. i know its a bit faggy, but it can save you from esd and esd is a killer to computer components.

	(#15)
JBird is Offline Senior Member Posts: 2,294 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South Side Chicago GO SOX \| BEARS \| ILLINI	02-05-2005, 09:53 AM K. here are some tests you can do for intermittent reboots. 1. eliminate the power supply as the source. check the voltage output of the power supply. you can do this simple test with a voltmeter. test the hd, and ide molex connectors, you should get 12 volts and 5 volts for the various connections. if you dont have a voltmeter i suggest you go get one, it is a very useful troubleshooting tool. also later you can check to see how much power you are using while the computer is on. you never want to use more than 60 percent of your power. it will reduce the life of the psu and could cause system instability. 2. of course run a current version of antivirus and do a scan (im sure you have done this already) 3. get rid of the unnecessary. a good rule of thumb when troubleshooting. too many devices can cause the system to overtax the psu (like i said in #1) also check the taskbar or ctrl alt del and see how many processes you are running. 25-28 is the normal amount for xp. 4. remove all unnecessary devices and cards (modem, network, sound, printer, scanner etc...) remember you are trouble shooting here, get down to the barebones. less crap, easier to pinpoint problem 5. u said you already reseated the cpu and put more thermal compound on it....make sure to reseat the ram, and double check all connections/connectors 6.check the mobo for damage, shorts , frayed traces (circuits) , bad connections or faulty capacitors. if you see any browning on the board, or elecrtical damage, you could have ESD damage. in that case you need to trash it. 7.go ahead and exchange the ram if you cant find the problem at this point. rma it and get new dimms 8. install a better heatsink/cpu fan than the stock....although i doubt this is what is causing your restarts, it still is a good idea. i recommend anything by thermaltake...a volcano series. hope that helps, i know it is frustrating, but after becoming A+ certified it is very rewarding to know how to identify, diagnose and solve computer probs. dont get frustrated and stay with it. oh, my biggest peice of advice, ALWAYS USE AN ESD WRIST STRAP. i know its a bit faggy, but it can save you from esd and esd is a killer to computer components.