XP reboots

XP reboots?

Bit of a tricky one to track down :-(

First make sure you have all the latest Drivers (particularly your graphics card)
#To find out what hardware you have, use
Everest Home Edition http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?dlid=1&lang=en
#To get your hands on the latest drivers
www.driverguide.com

Next: Make sure your service packed up!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/results.aspx?productID=4C937A02-BAE0-4317-A1A9-0C56CD979D05&freetext=service+pack&DisplayLang=en

OR Visit the update site

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp


Next You need to find out what’s going on. XP by default will reboot if it has a problem, you need to turn this feature off!

If your using "classic Mode" Right click "My Computer" >Properties >Advanced > In the "startup and recovery section click "Settings" > Untick "Automatically restart"
If your not using Classic Menu Start >Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > System >Advanced > In the "startup and recovery section click "Settings" > Untick "Automatically restart"

Now If Windows has an error it will normally stop with an error message, you will need to pastes the "Entire" error message here.

*****Other things to consider*****

Bad RAM : This can cause random reboots to check yours use
http://www.memtest86.com/

CPU Overheating: Your system will reboot to protect itself, monitor your CPU heat with
Hmonitor (1 Month Trial) http://www.hmonitor.com/
OR
CPUCool http://www.podien.onlinehome.de/

For CPU operating Temperatures follow this link
http://www.3degs.net/weblinks/view.php?id=5

Underpowered or failing PSU (Power supply unit) PSU output is rated in watts (W) its capacity SHOULD be written on it, what is it?

Unlikely but you may be infected with a virus go to
Trend Micro (Housecall) http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

*****Known XP "Reboot" issues*****

Windows XP Restarts Unexpectedly or Restarts When You Shut Down the Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320299

Computer Restarts Unexpectedly When You Browse the Internet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316416

The Computer Reboots in the "Installing Devices" Section During a Windows XP Upgrade
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311839

Automatically Reboot Option Does Not Work if the Paging File Is Set to Zero in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320846

The Computer Is Stuck in a Restart Loop After You Upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318018

Windows XP Restarts When You Try to Shut Down Your Computer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311806

WINDOWS XP SHUTDOWN & RESTART TROUBLESHOOTING
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.php



*****More reading!*****
http://www.compphix.com/rebootsunexpectedly.html

http://www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/troub-03.html

Hello sgt1035 =)

Safemode doesn't load the drivers for your external and usb devices and for your video card!
it uses your hard drive, RAM, motherboard, and mouse and keyboard.... defective mouse and keyboard are not the common cause of reboots and BSODs..... so it can be a the other three things.... but give the first try to replace your RAM stick with a known good piece and check if same issue..... if yes then RAM is ok..... if NO then..... :-?

what does event viewer have to say at the reboot time

Did your problem come about after software installed or upgrade to SP2 any hardware change?

Simply start using Mandrake Linux... ;)

Reboot using your XP CD, Go into the recovery console once all of the drivers are loaded. Once youve chosen which windows to enter through teh dos like prompt run this
chkdsk /r  It will run for 30-60mins. But should reboot normally for you when done.

You may have the Sasser virus.  Run a complete antivirus scan as well as Spybot and Adaware.

No Viruses...but I now have damaged files and they aren't 'repairing' in the recovery console. I've tried repairing them in the install rcovery but it dosn't work.

The damaged fils are:
Windows/System32]config/SYSTEM (is what it says)...but I can't even find a 'system' folder (did a second installation on another partition so I could access the drive)...all I find is one called 'Systemprofiles' and the files will not copy from one to the other.

I did a repair from the recovery console once (with instructions) a long time ago, but I just don't remember how anymore...   :")

You can try these suggestions to recover from this error,
How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545

OR can do a repair install as described here,
How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

SheharyaarSaahil...
That's exactly what I was looking for...thank you! BUT...'The system cannot find the file specified.' for the 'system' file. It's just not there. It's not in the new installation either. I looked for it. What to do?

a repair..... if registry is missing...... then there is no way to restore them except a repair :)
repair will not delete your data or programs...... will restore your windows files and registries only :)

Did that...even did a reinstall. The registry is there. It's that one file that's missing...'system' is missing from windows/System32/config/

"reinstall your programs again to make them work in the new system"

Almost...not quite...I copied some files from 'new' to 'old'. Had to 'tweak' for two days, but it seems to be working ok now.

cool :)