Computer was shutting itself down randomly in the middle of use. I restarted the software and restored everthing to default. Now the computer seems to work when in use; however when it is idol it re-starts itself over and over until I unplug it.
IF it takes time before it shuts down then it might well be overheating, in which case ensure case vents are clear. If possible clean CPU heatsinks and fans too. PSU is one of the other possible suspects.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
I have cleaned out the fans, the main heat sink on the CPU was clogged with dust... Hopefully that does it. I have also turned off the Restart option on failure. If it shuts down again, how can I check what is failing?
Various ways but nothing too cute and easy. "Events" might tell you something for example. You could also try it on a Live Linux CD which, if it works with that, would eliminate Windows from the equation. Perhaps best to see how you get on having done the cleanup.
Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
Thanks for your help.
You can see the temperatures of the components using the freebie SpeedFan.
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.phpConfirm it is not a program doing the reboot, or Windows Update itself if set to do so.
Disable all you do not need with MSCONFIG to make sure it is nothing in that startup group doing it.
I reply as fast as I can, but it could be hours or months. Always busy.
I have also turned off the Restart option on failure. If it shuts down again, how can I check what is failing? An easy thing to do is to disable the automatically restart
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windo...
and then post the EXACT error number that comes up when it blue screens...that will give us a better clue to why it is rebooting involuntarily ....Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions 7 Golds
Re #6
"turned off the Restart option on failure"
"disable the automatically restart
These two seem the same the same to me and have already been done by the poster.
Or have I missed the point somewhere?delunafa
If you get a blue screen the first series of numbers is particularly important to us.Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
you missed a point Derek...the poster said
I have also turned off the Restart option on failure. If it shuts down again, how can I check what is failing?
so I just gave him another link on how it is done and then......Some HELP in posting on Computing.net plus free progs and instructions 7 Golds
Nope, I didn't miss that particular point. As the poster had turned off restart then presumably he already knew how to do it. That's why I wondered if I'd missed something more subtle about the provided link. Never mind though eh. Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks