computer reboots automatically

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mulehead

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Apr 13, 2007
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Hi, I have been facing with a strange problem for some months. My 4 yrs old pc boots automatically if run for some time. The frequency of this rebooting increases till my comp doesnot respond. If I leave the comp unplugged for 2-3 days then it works again for few more hrs before this starts all over. The following is my comp specs

athlon xp 2000+ running at 1.67 GHz
512 MB Ram
KM266 chipset +VT 8235 (FIC AM37 motherboard)
40 GB harddisk
integrated graphics 32MB shared memory

I tried to diagnose myself. First I thought its some software or malware problem. I formatted my HD and it still give the same problem

I have replace my RAM with new RAM from my friend. Even ran memorytest software. Nothing

MY HD is old and its gives weird noise. So I thought probably its gone bad. So I just connected my CD drive , no hard disk and ran knoppix live cd. It detected everything and ran fine. But the system still reboots.

I also change my power supply. So after all this the only conclusion I can come to is either the cpu is bad or the mobo had probs

I checked with hdtune software. it tells my HD is fine and it shows the cpu temp around 27-32C. The bios shows 34C before using and after some time shows 45-47C. Never saw more than this temp. I presume this is ok temp.. Correct me if I am wrong. Also heard that the diff in temp between BIOS and hd tune is due to the way they measure it. diff locations I guess.

Anyway, it seems that the problem is motherboard and so I posted it in this part of the forums. Please let me know your suggestions. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
well its either a new cpu or mobo tbh as you seem to have discounted all other problems, i would have removed everything except smallest bit of ram, mobo obviously and cpu and booted into the bios and leave it to see if ir reboots, if so you need to see if you can definately confirm its the mo by borrowing a cpu, but based on your current setup, it shouldnt cost much to replace it, even upgrade it slightly
 
Thanks for the help. I did try working only with cpu+mobo+ram and it still reboot when it is in the bios. Today I did a new experiment. I left it in the bios and monitored the cpu temp. It started from 25C, increased steadily 1C every 1-2 min. After 40C the increase slowed down. Finally after 45 min the temp reached 52C before the comp rebooted. Is this temp bad?

when i did this yesterday, the comp rebooted at 43C. Seems to be a random event!!

its seems definitely mobo or cpu probs. Can't pin point which one.
 
I'm thinking it might be your onboard graphics chip that might be overheating. That would explain why the CPU temp is not constant on reboots.

I used to have similar problems when my old PCI graphics card overheated. A couple of exhaust fans on my case fixed that problem 😉
 
Thanks for the info. From past 24 hrs my comp doesnot run at all. I could just get into bios once and saw the cpu temp -- 27C and then booting started. Seems more of a problem with the motherboard. I want to buy a new one and help from you guys will be appreciated. I don't want to invest a lot at this time. Planning to buy a laptop at the end of summer. So what mother boards do I get for around $30-50 for my conf

FIC AM37 motherboard
athlon 2000+
ddr 266 ram 512 mb (PC2100)
km 266 +VT 8235
micro atx case
32 mb integrated graphics

I was trying to buy a slightly better motherboard. Was looking at

Biostar M7VIG 400

or
PC chips M825G ver 9.2

both of them have via km 266 pro chipset. with better config than my board.

The question I had was does biostar board support my cpu. In the site they only show 2600+ and other cpu like sempron.
Also any other board suggestions would be most welcome

Thanks
 
EH, Don't forget to check to make sure the board isn't shorting out on another wire, or touching the case because of a mis-placed or missing case screw.
 
Going by the information provided it sounds like the early stages of PSU failure. If you have access to another PSU try changing it out and seeing what happens.
 
what socket is your amd chip, 939? if so i would recommend asrock939 dual sata only cos it takes ddr1, has an agp and pci-express slot( both of which run at full speed unlike other solutions ) and supports AM2 and DDR2 via a daughterboard upgrade. So basically its a great stepping board for the potential of upgrading from old hardware

I have one of those boards and an amd 4200 which is OC'd to 2.5Ghz( stock 2.2 ), so its a handy little overclocker too :)
 
I would suspect your power supply but you should also inspect the motherboard itself for corroded, leaking or bulging capacitors. Your board is of the era when faulty capacitors were rampant. If they're the problem you can take them to a shop and have them replaced (possibly) but it might not be cost effective. You can also order the capacitors yourself from places like Digikey and install them yourself but you better be damn good with a soldering iron.
 
Thanks for all your reply. The first thing I did was to check the motherboard for faulty capacitors (like bulged up). But could not find any. Also I changed the power supply to a better one and still the problems exists. Never knew about motherboard getting short due to lack of screws !! I will check up again and see but as far as I remember the motherboard is well intact with all the screws.

As for my cpu , its socket A. I am going to test try with the new motherboard and heatsink+ fan I bought ( for $30 bugs :lol: ) this weekend. I bought M7VIQ biostar motherboard. What are the precautions I need to take while installing a new motherboard and transfering the cpu? Is there anything I need to do in the bios.?

Thanks
 
My advice is to browse through the new board's manual for the specifics, but generically everything should just drop in without issues. I would highly recommend getting an anti-static wrist strap kit but you will probably be ok by just grounding yourself on the the case chassis before touching any electrical components. And you will most likely need to clean off and re-apply the thermal paste on the CPU and heatsink.

If you're running XP, you might run into an issue regarding activation. Mother Microsoft may think you need to buy a new copy of XP because you have a "new" computer. There are guides online that explain the best way to prepare an XP install before swapping a new motherboard to try and avoid it. Google it and good luck. There was also a thread about this a few days ago on this forum.
 
Thanks for the help. I did try working only with cpu+mobo+ram and it still reboot when it is in the bios. Today I did a new experiment. I left it in the bios and monitored the cpu temp. It started from 25C, increased steadily 1C every 1-2 min. After 40C the increase slowed down. Finally after 45 min the temp reached 52C before the comp rebooted. Is this temp bad?

when i did this yesterday, the comp rebooted at 43C. Seems to be a random event!!

its seems definitely mobo or cpu probs. Can't pin point which one.
Click to expand...
This little experiment tells me that there's something wrong with your cooling system. It shouldn't get that hot if it's just sitting in the BIOS doing nothing. Does the CPU fan still run? I see from your last post that you bought a new HSF. If I were you, I would just replace that first and leave the board in place and repeat your little experiment. If it still gets that hot, there's something else wrong. If it still reboots at 27C, your CPU may be fried.
 
The cpu fan works fine. its 2000rpm. I bought a new one with 4000rpm. I agree that the cpu shouldn't get so hot in bios. That prompted me to buy a new HSF since the previous one was 3-4 years old anyways. I am still waiting for the package to arrive. Once its there with me, I will check out.

Nevertheless the cpu works. its fine. yesterday it worked for 1 hr. The booting happens at different temp and seems to me that its some other problem. Ofcourse when I ran for 1 hr yesterday and then it started doing its weird thing. Even if I keep the system off for 4 hrs the booting happens. At that time the cpu temp will be cool right and that is what I reported. Only if I allow the system to rest for 1-2 days does it work for few more hrs.

I will take all your suggestions and report back on how things went. cheers!!
 
if you want to discount it shorting( i know you got a new mobo ), but put everything together on an antistatic bag as opposed to the case in case its touching the case live somewhere

Anyways for installing your new setup if you dont have anti static wristbands etc. just make sure your not putting it together with your feet on carpet :), and touch the PSU every few minutes to earth yourself and get rid of static build up.

If youre applying thermal paste, only put a bit in the centre o the cpu( the actual chip is only a tiny part in the centre, the rest of the chip is just to disappiate heat, use a plastic bad to evenly spread the paste over the chip( make sure that you dont add too much as it could leak into the cpu socket 8O )
Best of luck with it
 
The OP has an Athlon XP, meaning no heatspreader. They need to apply the thermal paste according to the manufacturer's instructions based on their CPU.
Click to expand...
Ahh, i should have clarified, i ment when he applied the new HSF, youre right on the manufacturers instructions, but a lot of people dont read those( fortunately i have ), they even mention using a plastic bag to spread it :twisted:
 
Again it's very specific depending on the product. Older versions of Arctic Silver required tinning with a plastic bag as does Arctic Silver Ceramique IIRC but Arctic Silver 5 does not require any tinning techniques with a plastic bag. If people don't want to read instructions, then chances are we won't be of much help to them either.
 
Hi everyone, finally the results about my comp experience. To recap things, the problems was with either motherboard or cpu or HSF. Yesterday I hooked up my new motherboard and new heat sink + fan unit. The only thing old was the cpu. I checked up the cpu temp.... cool 45C. The Result .................. the comp still boots :evil:

As I have told in all my previous posts I have changed each and everything part (including the external power supply cable :wink: ) and the only thing which didn't changed is the cpu. I have never been stumped so badly by a damn computer. that the problem was with the cpu was least expected atleast to me. Never thought that cpu can create such a pain in the ass. :cry:

Now I am ordering a new cpu and will check it out and let you guys know the result. Its interesting that my lab mate also had same problem with amd comp few years ago and all he used to do was remove the HSF and put it back after 1 hr. I have seen posts in other forums which talk about this rebooting and many where amd comp. Now we know who is the culprit.
 
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