I am in need of help... Windows XP reboots automatically.

[asingh]

Ok...

Nac, you know why you are getting answers from all corners, cause people are just firing away. We know absolutely nothing about your system. The most I could glean was that you have 1 GB Transcend RAM and an E2160 (from the screenshots). For heaven's sake please update your signature. A. It helps in knowing what we are looking at, B. Helps to advise the diagnostic tools and methods of correction. STOP, looking at temperatures from BIOS. That is not always correct. Now do these simple things first.

1. Download RealTEMP (along with Prime95).
2. Run the sensor test.
3. Post a screen shot here after the test is complete. Do not worry if temperatures are shooting up. Either your CPU will throttle/hang/or BSOD. I want to see that last RealTEMP screen shot. Reason am not looking at Speed Fan, it is know to be unreliable.

When doing the above, please sit there and monitor (read: stare at the screen). It is only a 15 minute test. There might be some observation you can report. Do not just walk off. See how quickly the temperature are changing.

Until you do not update your signature/with OS too, I cannot advise further, or you can choose to run around in circles. For good measure if you want, you can eject the RAM sticks and dock them back, blow a couple of times on the slots, and dust out your system.

Also when your system 'restarts' is it always after 5-6 hours.? It is a BSOD..? Or a hang..? Be more specific.

 

[nac]

Hi Mac (Bill Duke)

I give you details about my system. I am not a techie. So I give as much as I know. Following are the configuration of my system.

17" Wide LCD Monitor - Samsung

160GB HDD - Seagate

Zebronics Cabinet with SMPS (I guess 400w)

DVD writer - Samsung

1 GB Transcend RAM

ASUS P5GC MX Motherboard

Intel E2160 Proccy

Std Keyboard and Optical mouse - Samsung

Numeric 600VA UPS

I got broadband connection. Modem (ADSL) is given by the service provider.

Normally, I use system for about 8 - 10 hours a day.

In this two years, I face two major hardware issues.

1) UPS wire burned due to power fluctuation (Its replaced with a new one)

2) Monitor was gone for some reason. I don't how this happened, cause that happened when I was away. (They repaired by replacing a circuit like device and return back the same monitor)

All of 'em were bought two years ago. Its two year old system.

Out of 160GB (only 149GB are available to use) my HDD is occupied with around 130GB.

I am using Windows XP SP2

These are the things I know about my system.

I don't what's matter with my signature. For your information, I don't even know what's my signature. But I will remove it, I have no problem in it. or At least for the sake of getting response from you guys.

I have download both the things. REAL TEMP is a software to monitor temperature. Prime95 is stress test utility. What I am gonna with this prime95. I run sensor test and post the images soon.

As I already said, I cleaned the cabby and things two day ago. I dusted it. For you, I do it once again.

Yes, it always restarts after long hours of usage. It happened 3 times in last five or six days. Yesterday, it didn't happen (may be because I turned off the system after 5 or 6 hours and turned it on after one hour).

Its neither BSOD (I didn't know the meaning for this, So i google it and found its "Blue Screen of Death") nor hangs. It just restarts as it happens when you click restart button in the cabby.

When restarting the first display would be motherboard page then after 10-12 seconds I'll see windows logo. That's it. It'll keep on restarting.

As I already have done a MEMTEST, I feel my RAM is clean. Now you can response to my query.

I'll soon post the images of the sensor run. Can you please tell what I should do now with Prime95?

I don't know how to work with those softwares. I attach snapshots of 'em.

1st - First snap after starting REAL TEMP

2nd - Just before running sensor TEST

3rd - Error after clicking sensor test.

I don't whats wrong here.

Yeah, I got it...

Here are the snapshots...

1st - REALTEMp - Start

2nd - Prime95 - Start

3rd - Final snap

 

[CA50]

your hdd temperature 50C is not a good sign

 

[nac]

your hdd temperature 50C is not a good sign

Are you saying this is the cause for continuous automatic restarting???
------------------------------------------------------------------------

After using around 4 hours I turned off the system. When I resume my work after 30 minutes it started restarting. This is what I did...

Removed the side panel in my cabinet. Then removed RAM stick cleaned and turned on my system without replacing RAM to check the beep sound. Yes I heard beep sound (Its a 3-beep with first one is bit longer than other two). I don't know what I am coming to know here with my problem.

Now I replaced my RAM and kept side panel open as amd999 suggested. I let you know how much this helps in keeping my system temperature low.

I am getting sure that there is nothing wrong with RAM.

Guys so far these are things might be the cause of my problem
1. RAM
2. SMPS
3. MotherBoard
4. OS

I guess I have given enough information to diagnose. Now you guys are left to help me.

 

[The Sauron]

First of all rule out any software issue by clean re installation of the windows before jumping to hardware in steps, like drop in SMPS voltages under stress(12V 5V 3.3V) then mainboard followed by testing any loose connector/cables in the cabinet, specially HDD cables. Also check HDD health and perform HDD bad sector test in HDD Tune software.

 

[asingh]

^^
Your temperatures seem to be fine. Thanks for posting such a comprehensive post. It seems that you have a corrupt installation.

1. Power down the system. Unplug all power cables. Remove the CMOS battery for 15-20 seconds.
2. Get into the BIOS and reset it to default. Commit the changes. Save it.
3. Check for reboot issue.
4. Go into save mode (keep F8 pressed during boot).
5. Go to command prompt (type cmd in run) and type 'fsutil dirty query c:" (C should be the OS partition). Do you get a "is not dirty"...?
6. If you do then run a check disk. "Chkdsk /f /r c:"

See if you get any errors.

Hi Mac (Bill Duke)

 

[nac]

First of all rule out any software issue by clean re installation of the windows before jumping to hardware in steps, like drop in SMPS voltages under stress(12V 5V 3.3V) then mainboard followed by testing any loose connector/cables in the cabinet, specially HDD cables. Also check HDD health and perform HDD bad sector test in HDD Tune software.

1. How I can do check "drop inSMPS voltages under stress(12V 5V 3.3V)"?

2. Checking motherboard? --- You ask me what I need to look into it, I'll do it.

3. Testing any loose cables --- I am sure I can do this with out any one's assistance.

4. I just downloaded HD Tune pro from here HD Tune website I will do the test and post the result soon.

There are so many tabs in HD tune. What all I need to run now? I can see a tab saying HEALTH (Every minute its automatically updates and says "HEALTH - OK") There no start button to test the health.

What about bad sector test. I see nothing about bad sector. Can I take it as error scan? If yes, I will post it in few minutes.

Your temperatures seem to be fine. It seems that you have a corrupt installation.

Thank you. So its not because of temperature. Can you please tell me what's the ideal temperature of those things.

1. Power down the system. Unplug all power cables. Remove the CMOS battery for 15-20 seconds.

I can do this. CMOS is battery is a coin like battery, I'll find it and remove it.

2. Get into the BIOS and reset it to default. Commit the changes. Save it.

Is this possible to get into BIOS after removing CMOS battery? In BIOS, where I need to go and reset it to default?

3. Check for reboot issue.

??? Where I can check this issue?

4. Go into save mode (keep F8 pressed during boot).

I can do this.

5. Go to command prompt (type cmd in run) and type 'fsutil dirty query c:" (C should be the OS partition). Do you get a "is not dirty"...?

Yeah, my OS is in C drive. I run this command and let you know.

6. If you do then run a check disk. "Chkdsk /f /r c:"

See if you get any errors.

Again I should run this in command prompt or I can do this by going to drive's (C) properties and do this check disk. What ever I do, this will do this check when I am rebooting my system. I guess I am right in this regard.

 

[asingh]

Go to the BIOS after you plug the CMOS battery back in again. Checking for REBOOT, I meant, check for the initial issue that is occurring. A BIOS reset might correct it. Run those commands from command prompt (CMD) as I have mentioned.

 

[nac]

Here is HD Tune result

Go to the BIOS after you plug the CMOS battery back in again. Checking for REBOOT, I meant, check for the initial issue that is occurring. A BIOS reset might correct it. Run those commands from command prompt (CMD) as I have mentioned.

Ok, So I remove CMOS and keep it back in its place and start my PC and go to BIOS and reset it default - ???? Here is my question. Where I need to go and reset to default??? I can start doing this, only after I receive how to do it.

I can check that issue only when it happens. I'll let you know about that. Because its not happening every day.

All the commands are need to be run it from command prompt under safe mode.
Done. I am clear. Except that one doubt.

 

[asingh]

Ok, So I remove CMOS and keep it back in its place and start my PC and go to BIOS and reset it default - ???? Here is my question. Where I need to go and reset to default??? I can start doing this, only after I receive how to do it.

There will be an option in the BIOS "rest all defaults" or something similar.

 

[The Sauron]

^^ See there was an error found in HDD Tune, means HDD has sign of poor health because of the bad sectors. If HDD is under warranty then backup data and send for RMA.

You can check those SMPS voltages under high system load with many utilities e.g Sensor in "Everest Ultimate software"

 

[asingh]

^^

Yes, that makes sense. I missed that. Run the chkdsk command like I said. It seems your HDD is failing. For safety, take a backup.

 

[nac]

So guys are you saying its because of one bad sector in my HDD.
Won't this get cleared by formatting the HDD or any other way not by sending it for RMA.
I don't know whether my HDD is under warranty. I guess seagate gives 5 year warranty. If that's the case my HDD should be under warranty.
But still I don't want to send this HDD to them and wait for a week or two get it repaired/replaced. Till then, my work would get spoiled. With out HDD how can I work in my PC.
After all its just tiny space... Will it spread like virus???

Mac,

I did as you said by removing CMOS and replaced and when I restarted, it asked to press F2 to load default setup. I did pressed F2 and system started but date gone back to 2002. Is this the only thing back to default or any other thing might have gone back and i need to reset something manually.

And about the command... the first thing fsutil dirty query c: and entered nothing happened. Run command window gone invisible. I tried twice or thrice, I don't know nothing happened nothing came...

So I didn't tried the second one.

 

[The Sauron]

Yes, problem could be due to bad sectors. There may be many more of them, for enhanced testing/recovery/repair, use full version of HDD Regenerator http://www.pcnet-online.com/bin/hdd-regen.exe. This software will ask to burn bootable regenerating CD. Its recommended to backup all important data before attempting testing with the HDD Regenerator.

 

[asingh]

It would have reset all motherboard setting along with dates to default. So that is good.

Regarding those commands. Open the command prompt window, from run "CMD", then type those commands.

 

[nac]

Yes, problem could be due to bad sectors. There may be many more of them, for enhanced testing/recovery/repair, use full version of HDD Regenerator http://www.pcnet-online.com/bin/hdd-regen.exe. This software will ask to burn bootable regenerating CD. Its recommended to backup all important data before attempting testing with the HDD Regenerator.

So we could to repair those bad sectors. Good to hear that...

I downloaded and burned boot disk. I will this after taking back up of all my data.

I can send it for RMA, only if they can repair/replace at once. I can't wait wait for long time to get it done. I am residing in chennai. I think seagate got a service centre in chennai. I'll talk to them, if they say this could be done within a day. Then fine, leave this head ache to them.

And one good news.... My warranty expires on Jan 2013.

It would have reset all motherboard setting along with dates to default. So that is good.

Ok fine. So no need to bother about this. I no need to reset anything in BIOS or something???

Regarding those commands. Open the command prompt window, from run "CMD", then type those commands.

Oh!!!

I was entering them in run command. So I should enter under SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT. Ok I'll do it...

 

[Compiler]

Even i was facing the same issue .I changed the fan now its working.

Just check whether the fan is getting stop or not?

 

[nac]

Even i was facing the same issue .I changed the fan now its working.

Just check whether the fan is getting stop or not?

I don't see fan stopping. It works fine. You're adding some in the list of issues which could be the cause of this issue. :rofl::rofl:

Now, those guys scared me by saying that there is bad sector in HDD. I don't know.

Hey, guys... Rather than testing with HDD tune pro, It would be better If I do with seagate's tool. I am thinking of it.

This is my observation about temperature. What was the temperature when side panel is on and what was the temperature when side panel removed. Its approx. 3+ days observation.

With Side Panel Side Panel Removed

Min Max Min Max

39 44 42 45

33 39 30 35

26 30 29 31

38 52 36 47

40 46 37 43

40 46 37 43

Overall, temperature is better after removing side panel. Thank you amd999

Mac,

I did as you asked to...

C drive is NOT DIRTY, its clean.

And run check disk. Since its the drive where I installed my OS, check disk was scheduled when computer restarts. I did restart it, ran chkdsk and it's clean.

Anybody here got experience in these of kinda hard disk issues. Please share your experience how did you send/received HDD... Repaired/replaced???

Did you get any thing as stand-by HDD until it comes to your place? I would really appreciate, if you do share. Soon I am gonna test HDD with seagate tool. I want that bad sector to be cleaned when I do it. If it fails, I have to send it for RMA. Since, my work is wholly depended on computer.. I can't wait for long time to get back the HDD. I am thinking about any alternate solutions. Let c...

 

[Compiler]

Can u use ur friend's HDD on your machine.If it doesnt restart then there is problem with Your HDD .

This would be the perfect way for you to come to the conclusion that ur hard disk is corrupt.

 

[nac]

^ Nice suggestion pinga... Thank u. It's highly doubtful that I could get HDD from my friends. But I got an idea by borrowing pen/thumb drive and install windows in it and use it.

Hi! guys....

As I said, I downloaded the tool called SEA TOOLS provided by seagate. I run those tests and found two errors and got 'em repaired. Now my HDD is clean. I am posting a screen shot of my HDD status (test run from HD TUNE PRO). You can see now that there is no bad sector in my HDD.

Now there is no problem with HDD. So, now we can keep our focus on what causes automatic continuous rebooting.

We have ruled out RAM, already. Now HDD is ruled out.
Things which are left...
1. Mother board
2. PSU
3. OS