Hi

this computer is driving me insane, whenever i do something it disagrees with it restarts suddenly. it dosnt like me using art programs like ms paint etc. it dosnt like me using windows live messenger or anything much, sometimes when it restarts it does it again as soon at windows opens. its unbeleivably fustrating.

please help? im open to any ideas to try before i beat this computer up. though i do have an idea what it might be..norton told me about something called Trojan.peacom and apparantly it stops you opening regedit sometimes. before i reformated this computer yesterday regedit wouldnt open atall.

my computers an advent, thanks!

Shenzi

(plus if anyone gets this fixed ill probably draw some cool art for you as a thanks x.x)

overheating maybe?

Random restarts/reboots/resets/crashes/freezes could be due to several reasons, including overheating, RAM, hardware issues, etc. Just do the following and post back with the info so that we can narrow it down some.

Try rebooting(restarting) in safe mode, then go to control panel/ system / advanced Tab/ startup and recovery box/ settings button/ sytem failure and uncheck "restart on system failure" ( take the check out of automatically restart box ) , and check the Write a system event, and the Admin alert boxes (check "send admin alert"). This will force a BSOD on the next crash (freezes/restarts = crashing) that posts the Stop Error Code. On the next crash write down the exact Stop Error Code and post that exact error here back on this thread. (While you're waiting for a reply, you can put that error code in Google search, and in the MS Support Knowledge Base (KB) = to check it out.-
http://support.microsoft.com/search/?adv=1 ). + http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316416


Also go to your device manager (devmgmt.msc) and check the properties and look for anything suspicious and check that the settings are where they should be.

Check:
1. Overheating(Open the case and check to see how much dust has collected inside it, and if there is alot of dust get a can of compressed air and blow the dust out and clean out all dust bunnies, etc. on the heatsink/fan combo,etc.; and be sure all the fans are spinning and properly functioning ). Install diagonstic tools like MotherboardMonitor= http://mbm.livewiredev.com or Everest = http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html , and check the tempurature.

2. Poor power supply (weak power supply or noisey / dirty electricity). If possible, swap the RAM and Power Supply (PSU) around with another computer.

3. Bad driver or drivers not updated, or a device conflict. Pull the connectors and push them back on. Reseat all of the cards. RightClick - my comp/properties/select the hardware tab/click device manager/see if there are any "!" next to anything. Try updating the drivers from the manufacturers' websites.


4. Not enough memory or bad Ram. You might need to add more Ram. Missmatched ram or a bad stick of ram will cause this also. Try reseating and or swaping the ram sticks. Make sure they are seated/snaped in firmly.
Run Memtest86: = http://www.memtest.org
and
FREE RAM Diagnostic Tool. - CST Inc.s DOS based DocMemory = http://bucarotechelp.com/computers/default.asp .


5. Could be IRQ conflict

6. Perhaps the CMOS battery on the motherboard is going bad and needs to be replaced. Check it to be sure.
Also check your pc clock's time and day, to be sure it is set correctly.

7. Hard drive could be failing.

8 Right click desktop/properties/screen saver/Power/Hibernate tab ,and make sure hibernation is not enabled, and cleann out your Cache & Cookies & Temporary Internet Files and Folder: = http://www.coloarts.state.co.us/cleanFiles.asp[/L]

9. Make sure you have updated all programs and hadrdware.
10. Motheboard short (loose screw, misplaced mounting standoff , etc.)

Sounds like you have a potential device driver conflict.
If you have recently installed any hardware try removing it or disabling it and restart to see if the problem continues.
You can do this for each device you have untikl the problem is isolated.
I cant give you exact links, but Microsoft has extensive help information about this issue in their knowledge database.

3. Bad driver or drivers not updated, or a device conflict. Pull the connectors and push them back on. Reseat all of the cards. RightClick - my comp/properties/select the hardware tab/click device manager/see if there are any "!" next to anything. Try updating the drivers from the manufacturers' websites.