Computer randomly restarts

[mad1]

While using my computer, after approximately 15 minutes, the computer restarts. This occurs is I am websurfing or running a program(PLC programing,excel,word). I recently formatted the HD and reinstalled the basic software needed. I run up to date versions and definitions of Adaware,spybot and Trend Micor PC Cillin.

The computer specs are:
AMD Athlon XP 1700 Processor
EPOX 8KHA+ Motherboard
256 MB of RAM
Windows XP Professional,Service pack 2
Antec 300W power supply MNSL300S

[mjolnir1134]

When I hear "random reboots", I say your power supply could be bugging out on ya.

Thats usually the case...

[27]

Not necessarily a power issue.
I once had such a PC. It was a conflict between my nVidia drivers (nv4_disp.dll) and Via 4-in-1 drivers.
Control Panel>System>Advanced>Startup and Recovery>Settings>System Faliure turn off automatic restart.

From now on, when it crashes, you'll get a blue screen with the relevant error message.
From there, you take it to google and...

[mad1]

Is there something, other than a DVM, to monitor the power supply with. If it were software it would have to be able to log the results prior to the restart?

I thought that a 300W supply was enough for this processor,could more power be a necessary function?

[mad1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27

Not necessarily a power issue.
I once had such a PC. It was a conflict between my nVidia drivers (nv4_disp.dll) and Via 4-in-1 drivers.
Control Panel>System>Advanced>Startup and Recovery>Settings>System Faliure turn off automatic restart.

From now on, when it crashes, you'll get a blue screen with the relevant error message.
From there, you take it to google and...

Turned it off, now it will probably not restart.

[27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad1

Turned it off, now it will probably not restart.

Yes.
It'll crash to a blue screen.
You'll have to push the reset button manually.
Otherwise, it could be power.

[mad1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27

Yes.
It'll crash to a blue screen.
You'll have to push the reset button manually.
Otherwise, it could be power.

What I was stating was now that I want it to crash it probably will not!

[27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad1

What I was stating was now that I want it to crash it probably will not!

So it's fixed then.

Does anything trigger the crashes?
Games? Streaming video?

[mad1]

No games are played on this computer. All that I use this computer for is websurfing, plc programming and some occasional word and excel.

[DanU]

Beside the PSU, the motherboard capacitors can also fail, causing random shutdowns. Older motherboards like yours are more likely to be hit by this problem.

Check the tops of the capacitors for any bulging. Also check for leaking brownish/black fluid from either the top OR the bottoms of the caps.