Computer randomly restarts

blitzsieg · November 13th, 2005, 01:39 AM

I am having a problem where my computer will suddenly restart without explanation. When the report problem box comes up after I get onto windows again, it just says that a driver needs to be updated or something, but I have no idea which driver needs updating..I know it isn't the graphics card (an nvidea geforce 4 ti4600), so I really am not sure what they are talking about. Someone also told me that it could be because the computer is overheating, but I left the case open and it still does it..so I guess that isn't the problem. Is it really a problem with a driver, or do I just need to replace a certain piece of hardware? Anyone know? Thanks in advance.

btw i have windows xp..if that matters at all.

just_a_nobody · November 13th, 2005, 01:51 AM

Well, I am not sure this will help, but if it is a hardware issue, then perhaps this will help.

One place they all come together is in the "Extended System Configuration Data" area; a small section of non-volatile memory that stores hardware configuration data from boot to boot. Normally, the ESCD lets your PC boot faster than otherwise by letting the system skip having to rediscover all the attached hardware. Instead, the PC just checks the ESCD and assumes that everything's still the same.
Fortunately, it's easy and fast to zero-out all the stored information in the ESCD. This forces your system to start fresh and sort itself out. For example, it will re-assign IRQ's, DMA channels and memory addresses from scratch ( http://www.google.com/search?q=dma+irq+memory+address ), helping to resolve conflicts and to ensure that all your hardware works without stepping on each other's toes.
To reset the ESCD: Boot your system and enter the BIOS setup ( http://www.google.com/search?q=enter+BIOS+setup ); poke around on the various settings pages until you find something like "reset configuration data," "reset ESCD," or similar verbiage. Then save the changes and exit. (Copied from the Langalist newsletter: http://www.langa.com/newsletter.htm )

JPMiller · November 13th, 2005, 02:14 AM

There can be several factors that will have that symptom...
Overheating.... taking the side off doesnt help, in fact 9 times out of 10 it makes it worse unless you direct a big fan on it as well
Bad memory...
Bad or underpowered PSU... often the "failing" component is merely losing power...
wrong or corrupt drivers...
bad or damaged hardware...

blitzsieg · November 13th, 2005, 02:29 AM

thanks guys...what is a PSU?

and will reseting that ESCD thing cause the harddrive to clear or will i lose stuff form the hard drive at all?

Blitzkreig75 · November 13th, 2005, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPMiller

There can be several factors that will have that symptom.....

Yaeh, and there's been a lot here recently.

Dude, Blitzsieg, do a search......

just_a_nobody · November 13th, 2005, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blitzsieg

thanks guys...what is a PSU?

and will reseting that ESCD thing cause the harddrive to clear or will i lose stuff form the hard drive at all?

Clearing the ESCD does not touch your hard drive. PSU=power supply unit, or Pennsylvania State University

blitzsieg · November 15th, 2005, 06:50 PM

I went onto the bios and i couldn't find this ESCD thing you are talking about (or anything of a slightly different wording)..i saw something about IRQ's, and DMA, but there was nothing about resetting/re-assigning them...Do all computers have an option to reset this ESCD? thanks

just_a_nobody · November 15th, 2005, 07:59 PM

No, just most of the newer ones do that are about 4 years old