Sudden Reboots

Hi djack1,
    Must be a power supply problem... Get an SMPS of your friend and try with that.. I hope this will solve your problem

Bye
---
Harish

Start in Safe Mode and go to Control Panel > System > Device Manager.

Delete all entries, except System Devices.

Reboot letting Windows reinstall the drivers. You may need the Win98 CD.

See if that helps.

Zee

Power Supply newer than system.  Replaced 18 months ago.  Will try the Safe Mode reboot.  

Thank you.

djack1

Hi  djack1

First  
it could be a hardware problem, because when you turn on the computer you should make sure that everything in it works fine like the processor's fan, and the power supply's fan 2,
also the RAM must be changed so you can make sure that its not hardware and you must clean and blow away the dust on it.
Second
You return to the software, when the computer hangs does it give you a warning like a box or something including a countdown or just restart directly giving a black screen ?

now goto this link and download the hijackthis http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
after you download it run the file and do a scan and save a log and post the log file here then goto Start ----> run --> type ( Msconfig )
In the general tab click ( Diagnostic Startup which will load the basic devices and services )
click apply and restart.
and restart your computer.
and see if theres a change or its still as it is, please tell us everything that happens at that moment
cheers
moh10ly

moh10ly,

Here's the log file.  Hope it makes sense to you.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:21:49 PM, on 3/6/05
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\DANTZ\RETROSPECT\RETRORUN.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\CREATIVE\SHAREDLL\CTNOTIFY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\CTFMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE\OSA.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GADWIN SYSTEMS\PRINTSCREEN\PRINTSCREEN.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\CREATIVE\SHAREDLL\MEDIADET.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT OFFICE\OFFICE10\MSOFFICE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MOZILLA FIREFOX\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\JUNK\HIJACKTHIS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.worldnet.att.net/ie4/search/index.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://rd.companion.yahoo.com/slv/ycheck/as/*http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://home.netscape.com/home/winsearch200.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://rd.companion.yahoo.com/slv/ycheck/as/*http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by AT&T WorldNet Service
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 6.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {014DA6C9-189F-421a-88CD-07CFE51CFF10} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Web assistant - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE.COM\VSO\MCVSSHL.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Disc Detector] C:\Program Files\Creative\ShareDLL\CtNotify.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe"  -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [Retrospect Launcher] C:\PROGRAM FILES\DANTZ\RETROSPECT\RETRORUN.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] ctfmon.exe
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O4 - Startup: PrintScreen.lnk = C:\Program Files\Gadwin Systems\PrintScreen\UNWISE.EXE
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to filterlist (WebWasher) - http://-Web.Washer-/ie_add
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROSOF\OFFICE10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: RealGuide - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\MODULES\MESSMOD2\V4\YHEXBMES.DLL (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\YAHOO!\COMPANION\MODULES\MESSMOD2\V4\YHEXBMES.DLL (file missing)
O16 - DPF: {2B96D5CC-C5B5-49A5-A69D-CC0A30F9028C} (MiniBugTransporterX Class) - http://download.weatherbug.com/minibug/tricklers/AWS/MiniBugTransporter.cab?
O16 - DPF: {BAC01377-73DD-4796-854D-2A8997E3D68A} (Yahoo! Photos Easy Upload Tool Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/ydropper/ydropper1_1us.cab
O16 - DPF: {D670D0B3-05AB-4115-9F87-D983EF1AC747} (AOL Downloader Plugin) - http://pak02.pictures.aol.com/ygp/aol/plugin/download/YGPPicDownload.9.0.0.2.cab

it can be your memory, so test it with memtest86+ from :

http://www.memtest.org/
for your hijackthis logfile, there are some unnecessary items, you can look them up here :

http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php#anl

The first step is to find out if it is actually a hardward problem.

Start the system in BIOS (F2 or Del at the splash screen)
Leave the system in BIOS for some time, if your machine reboots in BIOS then it is definitely a hardware issue.

Possible  heatsink problem.

Is it my eyes.....

Or you really aren't running an Anti Virus?

And no firewall also?

It's weird, Norton and McAfee toolbars, but not active protection?

Zee

Zee,

I have had Norton and currently have Macafee.  Norton was nothing but headaches.  They both slow the system down or have some kind of non- value input.  I fire up Macafee to run virus scans, then turn it off.  I know I shouldn't, but it runs faster with them off.  Firewalls too.  I'm looking at hardware for that.

I haven't had the time to run the Safeboot driver removal yet.

djack1

djack1,

Thank you for the feedback.

As long as you are aware of the risks, it's your decision.

Anyway, on this topic, maybe you should try:

Avast Home Edition (free):
http://www.avast.com/i_idt_153.html

ZoneAlarm Free:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Good luck with your driver reinstall.

Zee

18 months means 1½ years, so replace SMPS that and see what happens....
I had the same problem 3 months ago. So I am suggesting that...

Don't buy a new one... just get any of your friends'.

mgh_mgharish,

I do not understand your post.  Does SMPS refer to Switch Mode Power Supply?  "Don't buy a new one... just get any of your friends'."  Layman speak, if you please.

Thank you for the replys.

djack1

Yes... just replace yours with your friend's and see whether the problem persists..

If your system doesn't reboot with his SMPS, then you know that yours is bad.
If it still reboots, then there is no problem with yours

mgh_mgharish,

Let me see if I have that good of a friend.

djack1

OK..

Hi again djack1
before seeking a good friend and rent his Power supply, can you please do the following..
first can you turn off your computer, then unplug the hard disk power cable, cds and the floppy
so you'll just have the motherboard power cable connected, then turn on the computer and leave it for like 5 mins, see what happend..!
And then connect all the cables again where it was connected, and turn back the PC on..
and please tell me if the fan is working fine and not slow, because this can cause problem and make your PC hangs like it does..
moh10ly

blue_zee

Two things:

1. Only fan I could find was on the processor.  No case fan.  I didn't hear a power supply fan.
2. I started deleting things in Device Manager, in Safe Mode.  I had gotten to the hard drives and got the message about deleting the master not the slave, or something to that effect, and sort of wussed out.  I didn't proceed with the drives.  

When I rebooted, most of the things deleted were reloaded.  I'm missing something, though.  I now get a "Windows error - hit any key to continue" message in a black screen.  Hitting any key shuts the system down.  On restart, I can get in to Safe Mode.  

djack1  

djack1,

You didn't delete any System Devices, did you?

Upon reboot in Safe Mode, check device manager for any flagged devices.

Try this also:

Start > Run > type SCANREG /RESTORE (note space between G and /)

Press enter and select the first backup date available, probably yesterday or a couple of days before.

See if that helps.

After that, try this in Safe or Normal Mode:

Start > Run > type SFC and press enter.

Let it scan for altered or corrupted files.

Post back your findings after these.

Zee

Zee,

Nope.  I stopped way before those.  I froze at the hard drives.  I'll try the SCANREG /RESTORE tonight.

djack1

Ok.

Check also for flagged devices in Device Manager.

Zee

djack
I advice you to defragment your hard disk drive and scan it by a bootable floppy after formatting the foppy and copy the startup files and copy the needed files ( defragment files in c:\windows\command ) to the floppy and reboot.
after you check your hard disk drive and after the defragment you should do a scan on dos mode, which will try to detect any viruses that maybe causing the sudden boot.
you'll find it here in this site
http://www.f-secure.com/download-purchase/tools.shtml
hope this gonna help you

One Sec,
you replied zee by (  I didn't hear a power supply fan. ) whats that supposed to mean ?
can you just try to explain more please?

moh10ly

He asked me to check out the cooling fans.  I only found the one, on the processor.  I don't know where any others  are.  There wasn't any whirring coming from the power supply, that I could hear.  Is there a fan in the power supply?  I don't know.

djack1  

blue_zee

I ran SCANREG /RESTORE.  That  had to be run in DOS.  Haven't been in DOS in years.  I went back to 3-6-05.  That went ok.  The only thing odd here is that on reboot, the printer went nuts and spit out 13 blank sheets.  

Then  I ran the SFC in Safe Mode.  Folders examined: 422, files examined: 2683.  All other reports were 0.

The only non-normal listing in Device Manager was in USB Controller.  There was a red  X over the USB symbol on a line titled Unknown Device.   The other odd thing in Device Manager is that I have at least  14 CD Rom listings.  I have an Atapi CD Rom and a HP CDRW  There were 13 copies the Atapi.

djack1
 

djack1,

You don't tell us the results of the above.

Those CD ROM entries are odd.

Booting in Safe Mode, delete those CD ROM entries leaving the HP (if correct!).

Delete also the USB with a red cross and make sure you don't have any USB devices attached for the first restart.

Reboot and test.

Zee

Zee,

I told  you what it told me.  There were no logs offered.  Maybe I didn't check the right box or something.

I'll delete the CD entries, delete the  red  cross item and disconnect all USB's.

djack1

OK.

After that try restaring in normal mode.

If you see any errors (hopefully not...), write them down and post here.

Zee

Zee,

I deleted the CD's, removed the red x USB item and restarted.  Straight to the gray screen.  From that screen, a warm boot to Safe Mode access.  I didn't retest.  I had forgotten to print out your post before I left the office.  Your last instructions were Reboot and Test.  Which tests?

djack1  

Test if everything is running OK.

Zee

This issue sounds like it is a problem with the pc's RAM (memory) modules.

If you have multiple sticks of ram in the pc, remove 1 and power on, if problem occurs, switch with the remaining one. If problem still occurs, I would reccomend trying another piece of ram, or taking to a pc shop to have the ram tested using a burn in program.


Cheers,
Chris

Djack you asked me if there's a fan in the power supply, well sure there must be a fan.!!
otherwise you'll have alot of problems, one of them is the problem you got.
check this site:-
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/partsFan-c.html
after you visit this site try to seek your pc's case for the power supply fan, because once I was having the same problem in one of my computers, it was taking too much to swtich off, and I had to unplug the power supply cable so it works again, and all because of the power supply fan.
 
moh10ly

moh10ly,

PS Fan is working fine.  RAM was moved to other slots.  Still reading RAM total on boot up.  What has done the most to straighten out this situation was a clean load of Win98SE.  I'm not out of the woods yet, but the hangs have stopped.  I am adding my drivers back in and may find the one thing that was screwing up the works.   I am currently dealing with an issue where my System.ini file was renamed System.i~i.  I'm going to pull a backup copy off of my external drive, and replace the ~ file..

It's almost back to normal, but not quite.

djack1  
 

 

Thank you to all that responded.  The reloading of Windows, and the driver update has got me up and running again.  Blue_Zee was the first to mention video drivers as a possible problem, and the most frequent responder.  Thanks Zee.  I'd give you all 500 points if I could.

djack1.

djack1,

Thank you.

Really glad you're out of trouble.

Zee

Zee,

Until the next time...