power problem!

[mog17]

Hi all , i keep getting this problem with the system shutting down and restarting on its own. it normally happens when playing games online, i first recieve a "Whatever - has encountered a problem" message then the system restarts.I have checked the power saving settings and there all off, Anyone help please.

[vinnyT]

You can prevent xp from re-booting after encountering an error, this won't prevent the error in the first place (which sounds like either overheating, or a psu problem), but This will allow you see any error reports and maybe find out what's causing the trouble (and poss enable you to fixit).

To prevent automatically restarting on error;

-right click 'my computer
-properties
-advances
-startup & recovery
-settings
-system failure, untick 'automatically restart'
-OK

You will, prob, be required to restart computer for changes to be activated, so save any work before you start the above.

I have this enabled on all my pcs, and find it useful.

Hope this helps.

[Nigelz]

worth checking the windows event logs for the error and then googling, you may find an updated patch or driver cures the problem.

[kojak71]

Without more specific information about your system (including whether it's overclocked), at best the advice offered is going to be generic.

CPU could be overheating
PSU could be failing
RAM could be failing (maybe the RAM timings are too aggressive)

As mentioned earlier, you can stop the PC from restarting, I would have something like motherboard monitor (MBM) installed which should allow you to monitor fan speeds and temperatures in the background. When you run into the problem you can check to see if something gone's wrong. It could be that the heatsink's thermal compound has not been properly applied, or that you have an airflow problem. Check your graphic card temperature as well.

Memory can be tested with Memtest86. Test for a couple of hours at least. Although RAM is supposed to tell the motherboard what it's timings are, the motherboard frequently reports it incorrectly. Look at the RAM stick's timings and confirm that's what the motherboard's bios reports. Upping the RAM voltage can help stabilise things as well.

PSU can only be tested using a suitable PSU tester. Available online, but also available from Maplin. They vary in price but Maplin's £20 offering (http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?...48647&doy=11m5) will test all the PSU with the most up to date specs.

Even the most skilled system builders can be frustated by the amount of time it can take to track down a problem, so if you're not comfortable with tinkering with your system (I'm making no assumptions on how proficient you are with computers) it might be best to take it to a reputable place to get the problem diagnosed.

[scrandman]

http://www.memtest.org/

[mog17]

Still Having the problem. Blue Screen on startup saying:- CHECK IF YOU HAVE ADEQUATE DISK SPACE.
IF A DRIVER IS IDENTIFIED IN THE STOP MESSAGE.
TRY CHANGING VIDEO ADAPTORS.
CHECK WITH YOUR VENDOR FOR ANY BIOS UPDATES.
DISABLE BIOS MEMORY OPTIONS SUCH AS,CACING OR SHADOWING.

TECHNICAL INFO.


BEGINNING DUMP OF PHYSICAL MEMORY
PHYSICAL MEMORY DUMP COMPLETE.


ANY CLUES ANYONE .

[scrandman]

http://www.memtest.org/

Tried this yet?

[mog17]

which file do i download???? the couple i downloaded were exec files??

[scrandman]

Sorry, you need a blank floppy or a blank CD. I only use the floppy version. Run the exe file and it automatically installs memtest onto the floppy. Reboot and it will start running (provided floppy is first boot device).

PS. Once the install on the floppy is complete, it will not be readable under Windows.

Floppy version is here:
http://www.memtest.org/download/1.70....70.floppy.zip

CD version is an ISO file which requires something like Roxio or Nero to make it a bootable CD.

Whatever version you go for, let it run for at least two full passes - any errors is bad news - dodgy RAM or bad RAM timings...

[mog17]

1317 errors, so what next?

[kalniel]

I can't see anything under 'my system' so don't know how many sticks of ram you have. You could try replacing it, running one stick at a time, or loosening timings etc.

[mog17]

ive only got one stick of 512

[mog17]

Forgive me as i am new to all this tech stuff. If i bought a 1 gig stick of ram could i run it along side the 512mb i have installed currently? :^(

[kalniel]

You could, but not if the current RAM is faulty.

[scrandman]

1317 errors, so what next?

RMA the RAM - unless you are manually setting the timings incorrectly, its a duffer.

Edit: but before you do that, give us some system info & info on the RAM (e.g. is it DDR2) you might solve it by upping the volts slightly.