Question Computer constantly restarting

[pray4power]

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to figure out why my computer keeps restarting, and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions or had encountered this issue.

For the last month or so, my computer will reboot itself multiple times throughout the day. Sometimes, I can get as far as logging in, and starting to reopen some windows before it shuts down again. More often, it will reboot as soon as I enter my password, or it will reboot multiple times in a row. I ran into this same problem about a year ago, but a thorough dusting of the PSU intake fan on the bottom of the case seemed to fix last year’s reboot issue. I’m still having this issue now even when it’s dust-free.

This started up again once the weather got warmer, and sometimes I can get the computer to stay on through the night when it’s cooler. This led me to believe it’s a temperature issue, but I checked my system and none of the components are abnormally hot.

The computer has yet to self-reboot while in safe mode, when I’m able to boot into that. This leads me to believe that it potentially isn’t a hardware problem, or that safe mode puts less strain on whatever faulty hardware is causing a problem. I haven’t installed any new software or hardware since this was resolved last year.

Here are my specs: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/6vWJrr

The next thing I’m planning to try is checking the thermal compound on the CPU. Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated!

 

[COLGeek]

What heatsink/CPU cooler are you using?

When you built this rig, did you perform a clean install of Windows, or did you recycle a previous install (from different hardware)?

 

[pray4power]

It's a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler. I did a clean install

 

[COLGeek]

It's a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler. I did a clean install

Good, on both counts. Your PSU is WAY overkill for this config, by the way (a quality 450-550w model would be sufficient).

What are your CPU and GPU operating temperatures at idle and under load?

Are you overclocking anything (CPU, GPU, memory)?

 

[pray4power]

The last time I was able to check, the CPU was 30C, and the GPU was 55C. But the system was showing green, so I didn't think that was abnormal? I'm not overclocking anything, no

 

[COLGeek]

Are those idle speeds (like when do little/nothing)? How hot do they get when gaming, or running a stress test or benchmark?

Also, is your motherboard BIOS the most recent version available for it?

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z270e-gaming-model/helpdesk_bios

 

[pray4power]

Yep, the BIOS is completely up to date. Those are idle temps. I haven't been able to capture any increased temps due to the reboots : (

 

[COLGeek]

If you boot the system with a live Linux distro (see below) is the system stable? Trying to determine if you have a Windows issue or a hardware issue.

https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop

-or-

https://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

You don't "install" the OS. Run the Live version (from the install media).

Also, have you tested your memory for errors with a tool like memtest (also live media with the version below):

https://www.memtest86.com/download.htm

 

[pray4power]

I haven't done a memory test, no. I will try that, and the Linux bistro and report back, thank you : )

 

[pray4power]

I'm in the process of doing the memtest, I haven't gotten any errors so far . The computer rebooted during the test, so I'm starting over now.

 

[COLGeek]

I'm in the process of doing the memtest, I haven't gotten any errors so far . The computer rebooted during the test, so I'm starting over now.

The restart during the test implies a hardware issue. Any update?

 

[pray4power]

Hi! I'm running the test again just to be sure, but the memtest passed without any errors so far.

I have to wait until tonight when it's get cooler to try the Linux though

 

[COLGeek]

Good. Memory seems good.

Have you tried running a Live Linux Distro to see if your rig is stable yet?

 

[pray4power]

I did! It would crash randomly while running Linux Mint cinnamon. From the live install pictured, only the compatibility mode option worked. The first and last choices would play the Mint startup sound, but the monitor would repeatedly turn on and off without displaying anything but a black screen. I didn't try the third option.

Also, I'm not sure if it means anything, but the display resolution and refresh rate were incorrect, and it wouldn't allow me to change it. My monitor is displaying these graphical artifacts flickering across the whole screen too now

 

[COLGeek]

If you remove your video card, and use just your integrated video adapter, is the system stable?

 

[pray4power]

After running the computer for some time without the GPU, my computer does seem stable and I've experienced zero graphical issues! But the integrated graphics card isn't letting me display the full resolution either, design the Asus website claiming to offer my resolution and higher: https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z270e-gaming-model/spec

Does that confirm the GPU is the issue? What should I do? I know GPUs are crazy right now

 

[COLGeek]

I think this certainly points to the GPU as the issue and yes, prices are beyond nuts. You might be able to visit a local (relatively speaking) Microcenter and find something in stock for its actual MSRP.

https://www.microcenter.com/site/stores/default.aspx?storeid=081

You could try these drivers until you replace the current GPU:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/30381/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers

Also, try installing the drivers for your specific display/monitor.

 

[pray4power]

Thank you, I will take a look! Outside of pointing to the GPU as the culprit, is there anything you can think of that the GPU is doing that I could potentially fix? Is it something about this particular model, or is it just that the one I have is broken now? I don't want to get the same card again if it'll have the same issues : (

 

[COLGeek]

If you were overclocking the GPU, I would recommend you stop and revert to stock speeds. You can also try underclocking the GPU. Not likely to fix a hardware issue.

You could also try disassembling the GPU (remove the heatsink/fan) and apply new thermal compound/pads. This may not help either is the GPU is defective.

 

[pray4power]

Thank you so much for all your help and patience. I guess that leaves me hoping with everyone else that the GPU market will settle down again before I can get everything fixed. But now at least I know what to fix now

 

[COLGeek]

You are very welcome. Good luck.

 

[pray4power]

I tried emulating a game on Dolphin for 2 hours without reboots, and just now it started to reboot again like before. It was on the integrated graphics though : (

 

[COLGeek]

So, we have ruled out memory and GPU, Windows too. Seems we are left with CPU and motherboard. This doesn't seem like CPU issue.

By the way, why did you use a 1000w PSU?

 

[pray4power]

If the GPU's issue was related to heat and assuming it was still the original culprit, might the motherboard have started the reboot issue because not it has more strain from using the integrated graphics? I didn't think the dolphin emulator would be stressful enough to cause a heat issue in such a short amount of time, and I don't recall the temperature reading to be abnormal while I was playing.

Is there a way to test the rebooting to rule out the motherboard or CPU? Or the only way to check if it's one of those would be to get a replacement and see if the problem persists?

The PSU is because I had never wanted to worry about a lack of voltage to the parts no matter how I upgrade my PC as a means of future proofing.

 

[COLGeek]

Your only way to test the CPU/motherboard is to swap with known, good parts. From earlier, seems heat is not the likely issue. Swapping from the GTX to integrated essentially made no difference, so those are ruled out. Memory tested good.

OS didn't matter either, so we focus on what is left.