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Windows NT / 2000 / XP Discussion Thread
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Feb 23rd, 2004

My computer randomly restarts

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Back in May 2003 I got a new computer with these specs:

Pentium IV 2.4GHz
512 PC 2700 DDR-RAM
ATI Radeon 9500 Pro Video card
MSI 648 Max Motherboard w/ integrated sound card
40 GB Hard Drive (Brand Unknown)
16x DVD ROM Drive (Brand Unknown)
Windows XP Pro

Ever since I've had this computer, every now and then it would randomly restart. This was something I was able to live with up until a 2 to 3 months ago (somewhere around December 2003 and January 2004), when the restarts started becoming more and more frequent.

I've updated as many drivers as I could, and got as many updates for Windows as I could.

It should be noted that 98% of the time, my computer restarts when I am playing a computer game (ANY computer game). This made me think that it was my video card that was the problem, so I tested my system out with a friend's ATI Radeon 9700 Pro. With the 9700 in my comp, my computer did not restart, but it often locks up or crashes when playing a game (note: my games also crash a lot when I have my 9500 in).

Other than update my drivers and Windows, the only thing I've done to my computer is upgrade my RAM to 1GB back in December 2003, though I doubt it's the new RAM since my comp has had the restart problems since before (although I may be wrong).

I've also turned off automatic restarts under My Computer advanced settings. I don't know what else to do. Please help.:cry:

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UltramarineX

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

I would disable the sound, take off anything else. Check the website for ATI, for any problems of this nature. Are you OCing the RAM, or CPU? If you are disable it. I would also lower the RAM settings in the bios. And double check you have the latest and greatest ATI drivers.

Have you tested it with a benchmarking program 3DMark to see if it locks up during the benchmarking program.

rasputinj

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

Hello rasputinj (or anyone else who can help me).

I�m just wondering what you meant by disabling sound and taking off anything else (e.g. do I disable sound when playing games) and how do I do it?

Also, how would I lower RAM settings in my bios, and to what value should I lower it to?

Oh, and I have actually never updated my bios, do you think I should?

Thanks.

UltramarineX

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

it could be you windows settings and when you check that and it still does it check your bios setting check at the motherboard website and see if there are any problems with that board and check for new bios updates and what are the watts for you power supply if the computer is using more watts then what the power surply put out it will cause it to restart

darkshadow

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

Hello darkshadow (and everyone else helping me).

I�m just wondering which windows settings you�re referring to that I should correct?

I checked on my motherboard�s site, and it says that there was a problem with Radeon 9700 cards, but that was corrected in version 1.1 of the bios (I have version 1.3)

As for my power supply, I think it�s a 350 watt power supply. Is that too much?

Thanks.

UltramarineX

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

lol i didn't see that you already set restart option in windows is your video card getting hot? that is enough watts that you need for the power supply.

darkshadow

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Feb 23rd, 2004

Re: My computer randomly restarts

I downloaded this program called MemTest86 to check my memory. I ran all the tests up to test #7 three times, and it came up with 3 errors (one error in test #4, and two errors in test #5). Can faulty memory (like bad RAM, or L1 and L2 cache) cause my computer to randomly restart?

Any other suggestions to why my computer restarts would also be helpful.

Thanks.

UltramarineX

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Dec 15th, 2005

Re: My computer randomly restarts

Well the same thing happens to me and I don't know how to fix it. Please reply with detailed help on how to fix it. But I don't know how to adjust the BIOS thingy.

JR5600

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Dec 16th, 2005

Re: My computer randomly restarts

Hi JR5600,

First of all- welcome to TechTalk

We ask that members not tag their questions on to a thread previously started by another member (regardless of how similar your problem might seem). Not only does it divert the focus of the thread away from the original poster's problem, but it also makes it less likely that you yourself will get the individual attention that you need.

Please start your own thread and post your question there. When you do, please try to give us as much specific info as possible regarding the problem (exact error messages, system specs, etc.).

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DMR

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Wombat At Large

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Dec 16th, 2005

Re: My computer randomly restarts

Due to the fact that the member who originally started this thread has not responded in almost two years, this thread is considered abandoned and has been closed.

In accordance with our posting rules, other members having similar problems should start their own threads and post their questions there. In order to help us help you most quickly, please include as much information about your problem as possible in your posts.

If the member who originally started this thread wishes to have the thread reopened, please send your request, including a link to this thread, to one of our moderators via email or Private Message.

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DMR

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This thread is more than three months old

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