Random Restarts

Hello, recently I have attempted to figure out just why my fiancee's computer has been randomly restarting, but without any apparent luck.

I originally thought that it was a virus or worm of somesort that was causing this to happen, but after following the guide on general virus/spyware removal on your site, the problem still persisted. An HJT log was looked at, and I was told that no malware was evident in the log, but that memory dumps were taking place, and that the software forums might be a better place to start.

I poked around with the search function for other people who have had similar problems, and have since deactived the function that automatically restarts the computer when a system failure/erro occurs. Unfortunately, the computer has restarted multiple times since then, despite this option being unchecked.

No warning is ever given before the restart, and it happens randomly... the restarts can be 2 minutes apart, or many hours apart.

I have installed the 'motherboard monitor' on her computer and the temperature readouts it gives indicate that the case is at 123F and the CPU at 100F. The larest two restarts happened while I was trying to update the files for an online game.

She is running Windows XP, service pack2, but please let me know what further information you need to know. Thanks for your time.

-ren

 

Other System Specs:

AMD Athlon XP, 2300 MHz, 2800+
Core Voltage: 1.5-1.65V
Motherboard: ASRock K7S41GX
Memory: 512Mb
2.29GHz

 

Ren: Not sure if this is what is wrong, but mine did the same thing when my power supply was going bad. Gonna give you a boot to the top of the page so maybe one of the people that know more than I do can give you some things to check. Yoops

 

thanks for the advice, and for the bump ^^ I'll try to check out the power supply.

 

Power Supply, CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Video Card, Video Drivers.

What video card do you have in your system?

 

Power Supply:ATX 12v Power 420watts
CPU:AMD Athlon XP, 2300 MHz, 2800+
Motherboard:ASRock K7S41GX
RAM: 512MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 400 (64mb)
Video Drivers: nv4_disp (6.14.10.5673 - nVIDIA Detonator 56.73)

 

Uninstall your Video drivers. Reboot into Safe mode an run Driver Cleaner Professional, reboot. Cancel out the New Hardware Found Wizard and load the Latest Drivers for your card.

 

Ok, followed your instructions.

I think i should mention that a little earlier today, I got my first error message as opposed to a restart. It's the first time in the last few months that one has actually been displayed, so here it is:

BAD_POOL_CALLER

***STOP: 0x00000002 (0x00000040, 0x00008000, 0x80000000, 0x00000000)

 

You may have a bad stick of memory. Download, unzip and create a CD from ISO image.

MEMTEST86+

Boot from the newly created CD, if after 5 passes no errors have been found your memory is OK.

 

Ok, i'm sorry it took so long for a response on my part: but i've been unable to get back for awhile.

I did download and run that ISO and I didn't get any errors after 5 passes. I looked a bit more on the web regarding the pool caller, and what I came across on the microsoft site is this:

"Cannot free the usermode address back to the kernel pool.• Parameter 1 = 0x40 : Attempt to free a usermode address to the kernel pool
• Parameter 2 = Starting address
• Parameter 3 = Start of the system address space
• Parameter 4 = 0 "

I don't, however, know what that means in regards to handling the problem.

(on a side note, the computer seems much more stable after updating the graphics card thanks ^^)

 

Do you have any errors or exclamation marks in Device Manager?

Does it do the same thing in Safe Mode?

Try event viewer for more details on the error. It's in Administrative Tools in Control Panel.

Also, see if THIS helps?

 

Thanks for the response ^^

now, to answer your questions; Yes, I have had it happen in Safe Mode, Earlier today, i looked in Device Manager, and there was one exclamation point for a pci modem, I uninstalled it, but the problem persists.

Now I suppose i'll give the info in that link a try...

thanks for the help ^^ -ren

 

Renasci,
I have a diagnostic PCI card called Micro 2000 that gives an error code on a small LED. When all else fails, I'll install that , then boot. They cost $500 but if you know anyone with one maybe you can borrow it.
If you have a multimeter, try checking the voltages on the power supply/mobo plug.If they're out of proper range (You can find the specs online, probably at the manufacturers website), it'll cause reboots. Check the power at the wall outlet.It should be 110v, not 105 or 115. Maybe the outlet is on the same circuit as a refridgerator or a large appliance, which can cause power problems. Take a small AM radio,put it on a station that dosen't come in (all static) and move it around any nearby appliances. If the static gets loud, you're getting EMI (electro-magnetic interference) and if its close enough to your PC it may even cause signal interference which can cause reboots.
Overall, I'd say its the power supply or CPU temp.Check your fans.
Good luck, DCO

 

Alright, I did what that article said to do, however the problem is still continuing. I think I may look into getting a new vid card to see if that might be the source of the problem (it *does* need updating anway...)

 

Got a new vid card for her computer (GeForce Mx4000 AGP 8x/4x 128Mb DDR) Uninstalled her current drivers, then loaded the drivers that came on the disc w/ the card. Problem *still* remains.