random restarts on brand new PC

[DragonFire]

Hi guys,

I just got a new PC for a friend that I ordered from a reputable company online (is that an oxymoron?). Anyways, they sent it to me bootable to drive c:\. I started to install WIn98Se and twice during, the screen went black, and it acts as if rebooting. Except the monitor shows no input, and the red hard drive light just lights up and stays on.

I have to manually shut off the computer from the back and then turn on again. I finally got Windows in. It loads well, but "restarts" when i try to access the cd, the hard drive, building an info database, opening a file, (in general making the computer work). It is usually after a few minutes of uptime. And t doesn't seem to matter what you are doing.However, the end result is that it always blacks out and does the same thing.

Note that it acts as if you pushed the reset button, and from that point the hard drive light remains on, and it does nothing.

I got the current display loaded, and it took the driver, but no help re: the restarts.

Is this a mobo problem?
(Duron 800mhz, ASUS A7V133mobo)
Could there be a conflict to check before sending it back to them?

thanks for any info.
df

[DrMDJ]

Was this system completely assembled and set up, or did you have to put the cpu/ram/etc in and configure any jumpers and the bios setup?

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[Frant]

By any chance, have you had a chance to use the computer for a while before you started loading an upgraded software? May have had a problem you weren't aware of before loading the system.

[magtecln]

sounds like heat... check the fan on the psu - it should be exhausting out. also check the fan on the heatsink and any other fans.

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personally, i think christ is a can of spam; spam is infinate and has no age. coagulation is modern day nectar and the key to immortality. but then, i also think that pre-columbians had it right: the world is flat - its a huge petri dish.

[DragonFire]

Could it possibly be a heat problem as magtec suggested? I took off the side panel and it seemed to run a fair bit longer. And it wouldn't black out own with the side off. I noticed that there are no additional fans installed on the machine. There is just the PSU fan, HSF, CPU fan, and video card fan. Maybe it is shutting down due to a heat problem?

It makes sense, because after leaving it a minute or so, it will load up again nicely. And it does appear to work better with the side off. Maybe I should have the intake/outake fans put in. (They didn't come with the system).

Can anyone verify my theory?

Thanks
df

[DrMDJ]

Overheating can definately cause the symptoms you describe. And it could well be caused by inadequate air flow through the case (ie. fans would help). Having at least one intake fan in the lower front of the case would surely help. The overheating could also be related to the fan/heatsink on the cpu (inadequate or poorly set).


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[DragonFire]

The CPU heat temp is 47C
The Mobo temp is 34C

Still could be a heat problem?

[magtecln]

that doesnt seem too bad... when did you get that temperature reading? the sensor might be off - give it a leeway of +/- 5 degrees. is there is any thermal compound between the heatsink and processor like a pad or paste? paste conducts heat better. if there isnt any type of compound, seriously consider buying some.

just for ****s and grins, take the side off and point a room fan at the inside of the case and run it for a while like that. any difference?

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personally, i think christ is a can of spam; spam is infinate and has no age. coagulation is modern day nectar and the key to immortality. but then, i also think that pre-columbians had it right: the world is flat - its a huge petri dish.

[rowdyboy]

I'm over my head in this one, but I suffer from a very similar problem. I've had this problem from day one, and the digital repair guy at the college tells me I can make it go away by slowing down my processor. I do not know how to do that. Just to check the validity of his recommendation, I set my entire computer in the fridge with the cover off. I worked it hard for several hours with no malfunction, but it did it again with an hour of taking it back to room temp.

Check to see if your cpu is overclocked. (mine is running 366 on a 333 processor)

[DrMDJ]

I agree with magtecln, those temps are not too bad. Certainly not enough that it should cause such problems as your seeing.

It may well be a video related problem, or video related overheating. What video card do you have?

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[Philgo]

Could also be the power supply, have you checked to see it it's a 300 watt model.

[DragonFire]

I have tried a few things.
I have swapped to different RAM--no change.
The power supply is a 300 watt.
CPU temp stays around 47C, mobo around 33C.

I am going to change video cards next to see if it will help.

[Buffalo]

Remove and reseat the video card firmly and make sure the video card fan is working.
Recheck any FSB speed jumpers if you are using them to make sure the AGP slot is not overclocked. Check the cpu core voltage in the BIOS. Overall,since your cpu and mb temps are good, it may well be the video adapter card.
Actually, your MB temp is a little high. Does that MB have a fan on the MB chip?
Check that all fans are plugged into the proper spots on the MB and PS harness.

[This message has been edited by Buffalo (edited 07-28-2001).]

[Renovator]

If the Video card change dosen't sort it out, you may want to revisit the overclocking issue.

That would give you a chance to make sure the thermal compound is in place.

Honestly, with current chip prices, I don't know why a supplier would do it... but if you're still having problems, double check it.

rowdyboy, I realize we're starting to hi-jack DragonFire's thread...but either in the bios itself, or on your mobo with jumpers...you should be able to adjust your "multiplier" and/or "FSB". My guess is, your multiplier is set to 5.5 and 5 will get you to 333 MHz. (Remember, I'm guessing.)

If you need to take this further, you may want to start a new thread.

[MACH2]

Probably gone into sleep mode during the install. since no op sys was present it couldn't come back up. Might disable power managment in bios till things are sorted out and burned in as there are options to shut off the cpu fan. Make sure the cpu corev is nominal or if so take a couple of clicks off.

I agree with case cooling.. definetly get some case fans with some ummmfff! if a small case, the mobo and ram generate heat themselves and can cause bus instability. Be sure the ribbon cables are not obstructing air flow.

No mention of the cpu mhz. but I assume it's pretty fast = more heat. Consider an aftermarket cooler, (I think 47c is too hot regardless of the specs, low to mid 30's C is achievable and performance will be better not to mention the life of the cpu.

hope it helps.. mach