Computer keeps rebooting

My friends' computer, a compaq desktop with windows 98 (4 yo machine) ran very slowly for several years (could take 15 min to get IE page loaded). The machine randomly reboots/restarts. It would do this at anytime. Now it can't reboot or restart unless it's in the safe mode. We've tried the restore disc.... Went to the big party and tried "Restore to factory settings". The same problem... The machine will not restart in the normal mode. It attempts to load windows but before it gets loaded the machine tries t restart. My friend Ty, is a retired vet on disability. He does not have the $$$ to buy a new machine or pay someone to fix his computer. I live in Denver .. He lives in Las Vegas and could use some help. He is gathering some more info (CPU, RAM, etc.) on the machine and will provide it to me soon ... I will pass it on. I am attempting to help him by phone. Thanks for taking the time to read this note.

Keith

 

yeah, there is nothing much we can do untill we know the system specs. other than that, has he installed any programs? changed any hardware? anything like that which could have caused this? sometimes the most innocuous thing can damage a system more than you could guess.

 

Hi Keith and welcome,

I have to be honest this is going to be hard, working remotely is always tough and if TY don't have access to the internet and another machine, well, plus we don't know your experiance level,but the guys in here will try and help especially for one of our vets. So here goes

I guess we need to start with the basics, have him check the disk for errors and defrag. Does he have or can he make a a windows 98 startup disk, if not can you mail him one? There are various tools on there we can use. I am more of a hardware man and not real familiar with all of the tools but I am sure someone in here is.

I am thinking that if the restore disk did not work that we can assume it is not a software problem. I don't mean to be full of doom and gloom but Compaq's made in that time frame need to be replaced with Compaq parts cause others don't match up and compaq parts can be expensive.

When you say it random reboots that makes me think it could be the power supply or overheating. Have him get a can of compressed air, take the cover off and blow the dust out of the power supply. Then blow the dust out of the heatsink that sits on top the cpu.

Post back and let us know your progress.

Rick

 

both of the above suggestions are good ideas, a nice cleaning and some hd checks/repairs will always help

in the end, knowing he doesnt have much money, you can still get a working computer for just about 100-200 bucks

infact you could piece one together for him for say 400 and being a wonderful computer compared to his 4yo

shit i think dell and/or emachines has like $399 computer that you can pay like 20 a month

knowing he doesnt have much money though, these may not be a good option but i was just making you aware that there are failry cheap deals out there if maybe you wanted to help him out or something

also simply just upgrading his psu would be a very good idea..... circa 20 bucks tops for a psu that would handle that computer... and i think 20 bucks is reasonable.... if you go to a local computer shop and ask if they have ne old spair psu's lying around, good chance you might just get one free or ridiculously cheap

just some thoughts

BEST OF LUCK!

 

Yep your right but we need to get the model# cause not any psu will mount in the case let alone the mobo connector. Most likely needs to be a compaq psu for his particular model number

 

ah yes.. i hate HATE!!! branded computers..... had an hp.. worked great but wanted to upgrade.. ended up wiht ALL new parts..

but yes as the fella after me said.. you shoudl check to see if there is any compatibility issues with what you are getting as branded comps are really gay

 

Thanks for all the replies. An old friend in Las Vegas paid Ty a visit...Long story short ... Some parts in his machine had melted and fused together ... It sounds like the CPU ... A neighbor is giving Ty a computer he had stashed away for a rainy day. Once again thanks to all who replied!!!

Keith