Computer keeps rebooting - taking it apart now!

[koocha]

Hi

I've been given a Dell Dimension 5150 - 2.8Ghz P4 D, 1Gb RAM, 250Gb SATA HDD, etc.

The problem is that it keeps rebooting. I've tried reinstalling windows but very soon into the setup it reboots with no warning. I've tried Knoppix live CD and Bart's PE, still reboots very soon without warning.

Tried each stick of RAM, doesn't make a difference.

I can' tbe bothered to mess with it anymore and am going to take it apart and make a new computer out of it. The problem is that the motherboard is all back to front so I'll be getting a new case and mobo.

Having used AMD processors only since 1997 I don't know about these intel chips. Is it a socket 775 chip? if so would this mobo be any good? I'm just looking for something cheap to get it running stable.

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=475265

Thanks for any help

Tim

[Nick Smith]

yes the pent 4's are socket 775,

that mobo should be fine...can't see any reason why it shouldnt be.

[koocha]

yes the pent 4's are socket 775,

that mobo should be fine...can't see any reason why it shouldnt be.

Cheers for that. I'm assuming the problem with the system lies with the motherboard in doing this though

[kidzer]

Could be an auto reboot because of overheating, perhaps - is it a reboot after the same length of time every time?

[Clunk]

Im not 100% sure about the 5150, but some Dell's use non standard sized parts, so before you go ordering stuff from scan, you might want to check that the new stuff will physically fit in the case.

Do you have a spare psu that you could try?

[koocha]

Could be an auto reboot because of overheating, perhaps - is it a reboot after the same length of time every time?

No, it varies. And htere's nowhere in the BIOS that you can check the temps

Im not 100% sure about the 5150, but some Dell's use non standard sized parts, so before you go ordering stuff from scan, you might want to check that the new stuff will physically fit in the case.

Do you have a spare psu that you could try?

I was planning on getting another case because of everything being back to front.

Don't have a spare PSU that could fit. It's a 24 pin connection to the mobo and all my PSUs are a 20 pin

[Steve B]

doesn't matter, just plug in the 20 pin connector to the top side of the 24-pin slot, and everything will work dandy

[koocha]

doesn't matter, just plug in the 20 pin connector to the top side of the 24-pin slot, and everything will work dandy

I'll take my brother's PSU out and use his. Can't be arsed to take mine out. I'll give that a whirl before I buy a new mobo. Cheers

[directhex]

by default, windows xp will reboot instead of showing an informative blue screen

make sure it's not set to do this

[koocha]

by default, windows xp will reboot instead of showing an informative blue screen

make sure it's not set to do this

Don't have a choice in the matter I'm afraid. Can't get into windows. It reboots well before then. Not straight after the post, but soon.

[excalibur2]

Don't have a choice in the matter I'm afraid. Can't get into windows. It reboots well before then. Not straight after the post, but soon.

Facinating......so what happens if you boot up with a floppy to get to the C prompt or press del to get into the bios, does the computer eventually reboot if left on.

Have you tried formatting the hard drive from a bootup floppy?

[koocha]

Facinating......so what happens if you boot up with a floppy to get to the C prompt or press del to get into the bios, does the computer eventually reboot if left on.

Have you tried formatting the hard drive from a bootup floppy?

If it's waiting for input it'll stay on. It's just when it starts to do something really that it reboots.

Haven't got any floppies! If I boot from a CD it'll start loading but then reboot.

[directhex]

what kind of voltages does the bios report?

sounds like something's losing power under load

[koocha]

what kind of voltages does the bios report?

sounds like something's losing power under load

I can't find anything in the BIOS to tell me that. It's a bit weird

[excalibur2]

If it's waiting for input it'll stay on. It's just when it starts to do something really that it reboots.

Haven't got any floppies! If I boot from a CD it'll start loading but then reboot.

So disconnecting the hard drive and it's OK?

[koocha]

UPDATE:

It's still doing it with a new PSU in there.

If it's not doing anything it's fine. It'll stay waiting for input indefinately