HELP!!! PC Rebooting on it's own, no warning. HELP!?!

HELP!!!
I have been working on this problem with PhilliePhan over on another board, and it was suggested that I post this pissue on here as I might get some more help. I'm really stuck, we've already tried a lot. *pretty sure I am not looking at a Spyware or Virus issue, but who knows, not me....

Here it is:
My PC is rebooting itself. Now I'm not talking a prompt telling me it's going to happen, no blue screen, simply one second I am typing, and the next my PC is already starting up. Also, it doesn't really happen at the same everyday, seems to happen when I am running many things, but this could just be a fluke because it happens when I am away and the only thing running is Thunderbird. Sometimes it can happen twice in 10 minutes, sometimes I am good for a day or two. I am not able to complete a full Virus scan, it always reboots during a scan. I have AVG installed, and I've tried online ones like Trend Micro and Panda with no avail. What else can I say, monitor doesn't seem to loose power at all, I don't smell smoke or anything. Any idea's what I'm looking at here? Hardware or software? Now I don't have too crappy of a PC, and it's fairly new. I can post my sys info if needed.

We have already tried a couple fixes, and I am not able to run any Anti Virus succesfully, they all make my PC reboot (also tried Panda and Trend Micro online scans). I have also tried running AVG in safe mode with no avail, it too reboots the PC.

Also, no knew software has been loaded recently.

Not sure how much more info I should give. Let me know if any more info is needed. Do you need me to post any logs from anything?

Thanks in advance,

 

There are several things come to mind, but the two most likely are heat and memory. Download Memtest86+, create a CD from the ISO image, reboot the computer from this CD. If there are any problems with your memory it should show up in the first 5 passes. Alos open your case and clean all the fans and dust out of your case. USE a can of COMPRESSED AIR to clean out your case.

 

On that note, I have 4 cats and I have recently opened up that case as I was messng around with a second HD, problem might have started around teh same time now that I think about it. Would that REALLY be the case? Expecially since it seems to only be rebooting when I run an AV?

I will definitely try your suggestions. If I put in the CD, will it boot right away like you've described? How will I know IF their is a problem with the memory, even in the first 5 passes, anything to look for?

 

Just to add. . .

I doubt malware is an issue. There were a few worms, but should be clean now. Also, there were a number of AV apps running at same time, but that should be pared down to just AVG now.

Atheena

-- Were you able to remove that Command AV folder?

Shadow and the guys here will probably have far better ideas than I. Hang in there!

PP

 

I too have problems with my PC, But it keeps telling me it's my Zone alarm.
It's doing the same thing as your PC. Hops into Automatic Reboot.
So i hope you dont mind me veiwing this page

 

If it's XP, first thing to do is to try to stop it from rebooting so you at least have a chance of investigating things.

Right-click My Computer, Properties, Advanced tab, then under Startup and Recovery click Settings.

Under System Failure uncheck Automatically Restart then click OK.

That won't fix anything, but it will stop it from rebooting when it encounters an error.

 

After you have created the CD from the ISO image, put it in the drive and reboot; make sure your BIOS is configured to boot from CDROM. Follow the prompts; if no problems are found after 5 passes stop the memory test.

While you have your case open, make sure everything is seated firmly in their sockets. BE CAREFUL don't apply a lot of force. Make sure cables are connected correctly. Start the computer and look to make sure the CPU fan is spinning.

 

This is REALLY annoying. It keeps rebooting. My poor computer...

Ok, so, I downloaded Mem test, and I had to load WinImage. When I open up Memtest, it loads WinImage and it is just 2 blank Windows with menus at the top. What next? I looked through the menus at the top, but it doesn't really make sense to me.

PhilliePhan: Yes, it's gone!

Also, I looked in the BIOS. Now this doesn't look good to me, but I don't know enough.

System Temperature: 48C/118F
CPU Temperature: 85-90C/190F
CPU Fan Speed: 3500 RPM
Sys Fan Speed: 0 RPM

Shutdown Tempareture <disabled>

So....

 

WinImage isn't a good program for handling ISO images. The reason the screen is blank is that memtest does not use DOS/Windows file format. Use a CD burning program such as NERO to create a CD from an Image file. If you don't have a burning program than download CDBurnerXP or DeepBurner Free.

 

Atheena, have you done what Insomniac suggested in Post #6. That should stop the computer from rebooting if something in windows is causing the problem. This way you will see an error message when something happens, that is causing your computer to reboot.

 

Shabbydada, please start our own thread for your problem. The error causing your problem may or may not be related to Atheen's problem. You will get faster and better assistance this way.

Welcome to Major Geeks, and someone will be along to help you with your problem, as soon as you start your own thread.

 

Thanks for the help so far.

Yes I have done what Insomniac suggested, my PC has not yet rebooted but I was sleepind and now at work. I will play around with it when I get home and see if it shows me an error.

I will also clean the tower out with compressed air tonight!

Also, I have Nero installed and when I tried to open the ISO file, it told me I had nothing on my PC though would open a file in the format. Is there another way I am missing? Can you point me in the right direction on how to proceed with this in NERO?

Thanks again...

btw, what do you think abouty the CPU heat. Is that a little high? Even if it is, I don't think it causing my PC to over heat!!

 

You don't open the file. Open Nero Burning ROM, not Nero Express, click-on Cancel. Click-on Recorder in the File Menu and select Burn Image..., navigate to were you saved the ISO and double-click on it. Go to Write Method: and Select Disc-at-Once, click-on Burn. Follow the rest of the prompts.

 

I would suggest that the temp is certainly your problem. I don't know what cpu you have but I am pretty certain that running it at 85-90C is gonna do it some damage. When you were messing about with the hard drive did you knock the cpu cooler? If so it may not be seated properly. Personally I would have it off anyway, clean the surface of the cpu and cooler then spread some more thermal compund before re-seating the cooler.

As said above also make sure you clear out the accumulated dust etc. cat hairs get everywhere.

 

Yeah, that CPU temp is kinda high; if it was around 65C that would be a lot cooler.

 

Oh man. Well I just got home from work, and I picked up a can of compressed air so it was the first thing I tackled when I got home.

Well, I'm REALLY ashamed to say this..but...
I basically had a fifth cat living in the tower
Not to mention generations of a family of dust mites

So....one problem solved is my computer is quiet as a cotton ball

I'm running an AV now...and we'll see what happens. I'll also reboot and see if the clean up cooled down the CPU!!!

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll keep you posted.

If my dirty PC was the source of the problem, I give you all permission to tsk tsk me

 

LOL!

Don't forget that you did clean some worms from your machine as well . . .

 

Ok everybody, looks like I'm back up and running after the cleaning. She purring like a baby kitten now.

Yea I feel silly. Can't believe it was that!!!!

Thanks everybody for the help and suggestions. I wouldn't have figured this one out with out a point in the right direction (Shadow_Puter_Dude )

 

Your welcome, and don't hesitate to come back if you experience anymore problems.