Author Topic: Spontaneous Rebooting (Read 8842 times)

Garden Manager · « **on:** September 25, 2006, 15:00:23 »

Been experincing this problem on and off with my (nearly) new PC (running Windows XP SP2). Every so often when i start it up, and i load up my user desktop it will switch itself off and reboot for no apparent reason. it does not happen every time, and only when i start up the machine, but it is giving cause for concern.

After such an event, windows will ask me to send an error report to microsoft, which i do. It comes back with a 'Windows crash analysis' webpage telling me i have experienced a 'stop' error, likely caused by an invalid driver or software conflict. it also says information contained in the blue screen 'stop' message contains details of the problem.

I am confused. I cannot see which driver or software might be the cause of the problem. All are valid/compatible. Plus i do not get the 'blue screen containing information on the error, so i have no way to find out what the problem might be. All i can think of is to reload/renew some of the drivers on the machine or uninstall software and see what happens. This i am reluctant to do since it will be time consuming and has no guarantee of sucess, particularly as the error does not occur every time i boot up the machine.

Bit of a longshot , but can anyone give me some advice on what to do?

Many thanks

Multiveg · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2006, 15:35:04 »

I had a temperamental pc - we shipped it back to Watford Electronics and they installed a new motherboard. The graphics component was potentially overheating.

Is it still under guarantee? Take it back to the shop. Or, failing that, try PC World or other computer specialists.

Back-up valuable data and piccies! Might do that myself shortly.

keef · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2006, 15:47:22 »

Sounds like a hardware problem, i.e. dodgy connection, PSU or somthing like that. The most basic thing you could do is take the lid off and make sure all the cable connecters are pluged in properly. Also brush / blow out dust, as this can make it over heat - which can also make it reset.

Failing this take is to PC World and let them charge £50 for doing the above - and then suggesting you buy a new PC from them ;D

katynewbie · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2006, 16:22:02 »

:-\

Am not an expert at all, but echo the above...

DO NOT TAKE IT TO PC WORLD (they can sue me if they want) THEY WILL ROB YOU BLIND AND NOT FIX THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM.

If none of the suggestions on here work try and find a local person to fix it, cheaper, better service and supporting local business!

;)

Travman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2006, 16:26:06 »

When did first start ? Had you installed something new ? If you remember take it off.
You could always try a system restore point to an earlier time. Sometimes when adding new software or hardware one may be created.

djbrenton · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2006, 16:46:22 »

People often have this problem after a Windows update. As often as not you need an updated driver for one of your components for the update to work after Windows update has buggered your system up. Try the system restore first, and if that doesn't work, disconnect any peripherals other than your moniter and try checking your moniter manufacturers website for updated drivers. Don't use Windows driver update as it's pants.

Re PC World. A friend of mine ( with a Computing degree) took a job on their helpdesk call centre. Two weeks later he walked out in protest at the standing instruction to advise people to reformat if it would take him too long to talk people through a procedure that wouldn't lose all their data.

Garden Manager · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2006, 18:37:34 »

Thanks for replying. The PC is virtualy brand new - only had it about a month. Bought from PC World - decided to upgrade rather than waste money trying to improve/renovate old PC.

Windows Updates? Dont trust them as far as i could throw them, but Nanny Microsoft (and grandpa Norton) says you have to have them. So I have them. I still dont think some are relevant to my PC and simply bung up the hard drive and slow Windows down.

It is possible that the problem is a conflict between an Update and a hardware driver. i will check it out and update the drivers direct from the manufacturers (if possible). Then I should be able to see if that realy was the problem.

Thanks for the help

iggy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2006, 19:11:39 »

do you have a digital camera ?
if so can you please take a picture of the blue screen next time it appears

also do you have the windows xp cd or is it a set or restore disks?
more information about the computer would be very handy in diagnosing the problem

please download and install everest from here and submit the report from it
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

please go to start > control pannel >administrative tools > event viewer and look in both system and application for any yellow warning splats or red crosses if so can you post the most reacent and most reacuring ones please

Garden Manager · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2006, 21:38:58 »

Iggy: Hold on! One thing at a time.

Firstly the 'blue screen' doesnt appear - I think it should but it doesnt, either that or it appaers and disapears very quickly and I miss it!

I have recovery disks - had to make them as they didnt come with the PC, which is a Compaq. Cant tell you any more at the moment as I am not on that machine and I dont know off hand.

Will find out info you need and get back to you. Thanks.

iggy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2006, 22:58:18 »

ok to get to see the blue screen go to start > control pannel > system > advanced
select startup and recovery and untick automatically restart

ok if you havent got a proper winxp disk we will see what the blue screen says and go from there.

glow777 · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2006, 23:14:08 »

Stop errors usually have an 8-digit hexadecimal tracability number, which will give a information as to the error.

if possible post the code, after disabling the auto restart as suggested by Iggy

Garden Manager · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2006, 09:51:07 »

OK thanks. Will do this and next time it happens will make a note of the error code and let you know.

You wait it wont happen for ages now I've decided to do something about it! ::) ::) ::)

glow777 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2006, 14:00:18 »

When you have it this site will shed some light (possibly).

http://www.aumha.org/win5/kbestop.php

I mostly encounter stop error 24's - which usually result in new hard drives :-\

Garden Manager · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2006, 19:15:00 »

I have looked in the event veiwer and found three errors that are recurring. One is a 'system error', which seems to tie in with the times when the reboots have ocurred. Unfortunately I cannot 'copy and paste' the code into a message. It will not let me. Looks like i will have to copy it by hand!

glow777 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 27, 2006, 07:42:59 »

Hit prt scr or if its in a box hit ALT + prt scr. This copies the screen image to the clipboard. Then paste into an image editor (or paint) and post the pic (preferably as a jpeg)

G

Garden Manager · « **Reply #15 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:46:54 »

OK Thanks for the screen capture tip. Hre is the error message i think is the problem. As i said before there are a couple of others but I dont THINK they are relevant.

I hope this is what you need to advise me.

Thanks

Garden Manager · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2006, 10:52:58 »

One more thing - I had a look at the 'Majorgeeks' site and went to down load the diagnostics freeware. However there are several versions and i dont know which one. there is no 'UK' version. Please advise.

iggy · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2006, 19:01:23 »

i think your are getting confused by the donload loactions.
the link takes u directly to where u need to download it from just select a server american servers are usually ok unles you are on dial up :O

the error you are reporting there looks like a memory error i would be inclined to try and get memtest to run
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html
extract the file and place on dexktop and wher eit says test all unused ram type all ram then leave it to it

if it does bsod during the test we may have to run a diufferent memory testing program which will need to be burnt to a cd do you have the ability to do this?

post back your findings please

Garden Manager · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2006, 14:39:41 »

The problem seems to have righted itself for now. It hasnt happened for well over a week.

I will make a note of the info you have given me, and if the problem reoccurs i shall make use if it and be back for more advice.

Thanks for your help

Garden Manager · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2006, 18:21:49 »

Having been Ok since i last posted to thus thread, my problem has reared its ugly head again. This time it is happeneing 2 or 3 times before i can sucessfully boot up and start using the computer. It is still the same message and line of code that appears each time so the problem (whatever it is) is still the same. Last time it happened i went into 'safe mode' but could not find out any more or d anything in that mode.

I have now taken a photo of the 'stop' screen and post it below.

I shall be investgating some of the lines of enquiry suggested previously in an attempt to solve the problem, however if anyone has anything to add, then that would be appreciated. Thanks

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Author Topic: Spontaneous Rebooting (Read 8842 times)