Computer restarts

Please don't laugh just as yet...
Another thing you can try that's very cheap is try another power outlet in the house, another power bar, that kind of stuff. You have a nice computer and a powerful power supply, might just be a peak/surge problem. You got some power juice there.

It might also be a piece of hardware that XP don't agree with, that is worth checking out too. Big time.

Ok, one more thing. Sometimes winxp doesnt boot up after restart. It takes 2-3 times to get it up. Between these restarts i can select boot in safe mode. Then i get "agp440.sys error" and system hangs.

video driver problem

bbl, have to go munch and feed the kid

just installed new system with new drivers. is it possible to have video driver problem?

yes. xp is picky.

but don't despair, EE hasn't given up yet

In many cases, problems like this are caused by defective RAM modules.  Even though they pass the BIOS POST and perhaps even software RAM test programs, they are still bad.

Try swapping out your RAM modules for some that are known to be good.

jhance, if you notice in the post he stated:  

  >>I have replaced power supply and memory.

So my assumption is that he already tried your suggestion ;-)

981487:  Can you explain further this comment "Problem is that my computer restart when i try to install something."

Install something?  software?  If so, which program, or is it several?.

I replaced my ram already.

Or remove some of your RAM modules and test it.  Swap and replace RAM modules and see if you can determine if some work OK and some don't.

If your board permits change the memory timing for your modules.  Slow them down.

981487 have you installed any utilities to check your current cpu temp?  overheating is often a cause of new XP systems restarting.

i had 512 memory, i replaced it with new 512. Problem remains. now i just use both of them.
About installation. My Xp installation restarted 2-3 times. Now im trying to install pc game americas army. And in the middle of installation pc just restarts.
I used asus iPanel for monitoring cpu and mb temp. temp is ok.

esmogen - it cant be xp error, cos i tryd to install redhat linux 9 and it still restarts randomly during installation.

i updated my bios, and at this moment everything looks ok. Thanks CrazyOne. I test my system and if everything runs fine ill accept your answer :)

I would download a RAM tester called  DocMem or MemTester, I have seen this problem before, and it could be that the computer try's to access a small portion of the RAM which is defected. Or it could be in some virus or weird program that's on your PC making it do strange things!

Are u sure it is a hardware problem?... I don't feel it... It's most likely you'r infected with some virus. just chek your system with good uptodate Antivirus software.

wiating...

>>cos i tryd to install redhat linux 9 and it still restarts randomly during installation.

No doubt about it.  You have a hardware problem!!

1) Bad RAM.  I know you said you replaced it but it could still be bad.  Get some KNOWN to work right.
2) Bad CPU.
3) Bad Motherboard.
4) Bad video card
5) Some other bad device.

These problems are not always easily solved and you may not have some of these parts available to swap out.  But unfortunately there are not simple solutions.  Swap out potentially bad parts for known good ones until you find the problem.

Whatever device you are installing from (CD?) replace it.

I still think it's a video card problem. Video cards run under both OS's if my memory is good...

Try reducing your refresh rate and see if system becomes more stable.

My 2 rusted pennies.

refresh rate of that monster card I mean.

Umm I am just curious was I the only one the read this comment. :>)

"i updated my bios, and at this moment everything looks ok. Thanks CrazyOne. I test my system and if everything runs fine ill accept your answer :)"

Nope, I read it.  And I'm not even crazy (much!)   ;-)

They r trying to help if problem remains. And im very happy with it.

But how can videocard restart my system during linux installation, and i installed in text mode :|
So far all my test run well, so i think that bios update was solution :) weird but true.

Good point 981487

LOL AlbertaBeef

Ok. everything worked well until i used my data recovery software.
So... somehow, bios update did something but i still have same problem!!!
It must be in cpu, mb or video (i dont belive its in video)
I hope i can get new cpu for testing in next week or week after, but maybe you have more ideas?

One last time....

1) Bad RAM.  I know you said you replaced it but it could still be bad.  Get some KNOWN to work right.
2) Bad CPU.
3) Bad Motherboard.
4) Bad video card
5) Some other bad device.

These problems are not always easily solved and you may not have some of these parts available to swap out.  But unfortunately there are not simple solutions.  Swap out potentially bad parts for known good ones until you find the problem.

You are not helping me. I know that problem is somewhere there! i tested my memory, its ok!
And i know i can spend more money just buyng new parts. I need to know where exactly is problem and how to fix this.

Well the easiest and fastest way is to take it into a tech shop so they a can run there diagnostic tests on it. Some of this requires special equipment. This may help take some of the quess work out of the equation.

yeah, well, if i dont get any more ideas, then this is my only option.

Yeah the only reason I mention it is because it seems to narrow down to the mother board and/or the CPU which are difficult to troubleshoot unless you have the proper diagnostic tools. For now though try a different video card. BTW is the AGP 2 4 or 8. And what do you have the apeture size set at. You may have it set to high and if you can step down the AGP clock.

I know you "tested" your memory, but if you would read what has already been said, you'd know why that is inadequate.

It seems to be that you don't really need any help here since you already know more than anyone here.  Good luck with your solution.

Its AGP4 but i dont know anything about apeture size.

jhance sorry, im just really mad about my pc. And problem is i dont have any memory that i KNOW its working. Sorry again.

get a basic 4 meg video card, switch to it ans see if the rebooting stuff keeps on.

>>Then i get "agp440.sys error"

What do you think that is? VIDEO
Doesn't even sound like the right numbers for your card. But then, I don't have your documentation either.

i have read about agp440.sys error. It may appear with bad memory, power supply, harddrive or any other hardware its so weird bug that looks like its in software or bios or i dont know where. its not only video card problem. Anyway i updated my bios, i installed neww system with new drivers. And there is tons of solutions for agp440.sys error, but each of them r different.

It could be the RAM on the video card that is defective

Just a comment on the "could it be RAM" thread; as jhance and Crazyone know (!) I had a very similar problem in that my PC restarted for no apparent reason. In my case, under W2000 Pro, the "do not reboot on system failure" option worked in that it gave me BSODs instead, that would only go with a hard reboot.

At jhances suggestion, I tried using different RAM - in my case I had to go out and buy 512Mb of new stuff. It is working happily now. I know you said "i had 512 memory, i replaced it with new 512. Problem remains. now i just use both of them."; but is there anyone from whom you could borrow some that definitely works? Maybe try using a 256Mb stick - this is more of a guess than anything.
HTH
Sunil Rodger

981487,

I have encountered this problem too before.

My advice to u would be, try a different motherboard WITH your current Processor, ram and graphic card. So far, 3 cases of mine have this problem when installing either in windows 2000, windows xp or linux.

Hope this helps.

981487:
Go to your BIOS setup and choose "Load Failsafe Defaults" and try running for a while (you may have to adjust some settings and the performance may be very low).  If that works, go back to BIOS (DEL at poweron generally on Asus boards) and choose "Load Setup Defaults".  I had some really irritating problems with an Abit board (would freeze randomly after 10-15 minutes, not overheating) and a simple BIOS reset fixed it.  You may have to reset your clock, etc also.

-dog*

go to control panel...and god bles

I have been pretty busy lately, but i found new motherboard and memory to test my orginal components. I'll let you know what i find out.

OK thanks for letting us know :>)

Yeah, let us know so that what I've included in your thread is right. :)

I mean what I've included in your thread is right or wrong. :)

cheers!

Hope you solve your problem soon and get a working system running again.

>>Comment from honping  Date: 06/02/2003 08:56PM CST  
go to control panel...and god bles  

Go to control panel and do what???  That has got to be one of the most useless comments I've ever seen.

Wow jhance...I'm becoming more and more like you as the days go by...heh heh :)

-dog*

I got new videocard to test with and my results are positive again. Until next restart :P As you remember same situatation was after bios update.
I still cant belive that my videocard is defective. Is there possibility that my videocard and motherboard doesnt work together somehow?

981487:  Did you "Load Setup Defaults" in the BIOS?

-dog*

Well blow me down.

Yes i did, dogztar.

visiontek (my videocard) tech support told me to update motherboard chipset and if this doesnt help then try to use my card in another pc. So this what im gonna do next...

another comment...
After bios update its getting harder to see this problem.
When i use my data recovery software... what basicaly scanns thru harddrive and seeks deleted or lost files... i have to run it like 10 to 15 minutes to get restart again.
Before Bios update i had problems even with installing... my winxp and redhat installation process restarted 2-3 times - sometimes in the beginning, sometimes in middle or end.
I have repaird many pc-s but this is one weirdest problem what i have seen. and you guys r out of ideas too :)

I don't know if this was mentioned already...but check your BIOS for an option about "CPU critical temperature" or something similar.  Try turning this up a bit...

The chipset drivers they're talking about are the Intel Application Accelerator drivers:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Detail_Desc.asp?agr=N&ProductID=663&DwnldID=4857 (deals mainly with IDE controller)
and Chipset ID utility:
http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/Detail_Desc.asp?agr=N&ProductID=757&DwnldID=5811

-dog*

Comment from Pc_Idiot  Date: 06/01/2003 10:37AM PDT  
981487,

I have encountered this problem too before.

My advice to u would be, try a different motherboard WITH your current Processor, ram and graphic card. So far, 3 cases of mine have this problem when installing either in windows 2000, windows xp or linux.

Hope this helps.  <<<<<<<<<<

As above,

Tried a new motherboard?

Ok... after testing with new videocard, i switched back to my old one... tested...and i dont get restart anymore.
Problem is that i dont know how to test anymore. Maybe format harddrive, install windows again and see what happens?
If i dont get this restart with my current system, then mb or cpu replacement doesnt help :(

I've seldom encountered a CPU faulty before till now for 4 years of work. That's my advice to u 981487.

I guess if u have another system OR a friend would be glad to let u test harddisk, ram and videocard on his system, that would be best in performing troubleshooting.

I still believe it's a motherboard problem.

By the way, is your motherboard under warranty? If so, get it to exchange and the engineers will test the motherboard, if it's faulty, u'll get a new one! Nothing to lose right?