Random Computer Restarts

[Oz_Bing87]

Windows Xp
Nvidia Nforce2 Chipset Athlon 2400 XP
Intergrated Geforce 4MX
480mb DDR RAM

Whilst using the computer (mostly whilst playing games) my computer randomly restarts or crashes out of the games.

E.g Half-life, The sims, Baldurs Gate 2, basically everything

I have updated the drivers for my Bios and Graphics card and was wondering whether anyone had experianced similar problems or know how to rectify the problems.

Sorry for being so vague

[Trash Man]

So does it crash to the desktop or does the computer restart?

[joshwa]

Is it overclocked at all?
What kind of cooler do you have on the CPU?
(have you tried using MBM5 to tell you the temps?)

What brand ram do you have? Is it a new computer? Has it just recently started happening?

[Oz_Bing87]

yes it is a new computer,
it basically started happening since i had the computer and ive used temperature monitors and they say cpu is about 27 and system is about 41ish

[Anders]

Test your RAM with Memtest86. If the computer is new, you could just send it back?

[Oz_Bing87]

I've Run the memory tests and i have passed them with no failiures.

I was wondering if you had anyother ideas before i sent the system back as i would prefer if i could keep the system.

[SilentDeath]

cpu migfht be overvolted - it can still be stable (apart from restarts) and not be too hot, so check in bios its at the rated voltage.

also i found i restart when my northbridge gets to hot - i had just changed the nb cooler and there was almost no contact between it, i done the stupid thing and raised the voltage by 0.1 (i hadnt relised no contact) which fixed it. now there should be more contact but i cba to lower it again yet, going to clock it more instead when i get time.

^ assuming u ment it restarts, and not crashing to desktop. resteating things might help, but ull probly wanna send it back instead of vioding numerous warrentys

try running prime95 to test cpu is fine, and also undervolting the mobo by 0.1 (reduce heat output), or give it +0.1 more (more stable) but i wouldnt go much further than that

[BoB_DoG]

could it be the PSU not being able to cope..? how many hard disks/cd drives/fans/lights/other stuff have you got, and what is the power output of the PSU?

just a guess, but possible I suppose

[SilentDeath]

if the components wernt getting enuf power ud restart, if the psu couldnt cope thered be a largish chunk of ur case missing around the area where the psu used to be.

[Austin]

Make sure everything is at stock a suggested, that's always the best place to start when trouble-shooting. Next you may want to enter the BIOS and use the Optimal or even Safe defaults just to rule out a few things. Try running an antivirus scan (there are free ones) just to rule that out too. You can check what your voltages and temps are reported as but very often these are too approximate to be truly helpful.

If you still get random restsrats the most likely cause is heat with the runners up being RAM, PSU, gfx card, CPU, mobo, card(s) not quite fully in and finally drivers or sw clash.

Use the latest official drivers for all your hw, esp mobo and gfx card. Ideally get all the Windows Update stuff. Ensure all your cards and cables are fully insertes, perhaps reinsert them all. Try diff RAM or gfx card to rule out the possibility yours are faulty, you could try your in another PC. You could take out all unecessary cards (etc) and disable unecessary onboard stuff too. That will help to rule out clashes etc and should put less strain on the PSU. The last thing is to try another PSU in there (pref a good branded 350W+) otherwise perhaps consider trying all of your components one at a time in a working PC or attempt a fresh OS install (with minimal components?).

[Ice Kay]

Sounds like your PSU, Do you have a lot of devices connected ?