instant reboot syndrome

[rigur]

For expert!

I constantly experience the instant reboot syndrome i.e. my box just reboot for no reason at totally random intervals. What is weird is that my clock somethimes reset in the process. If it's not that, my box just freeze totally (no output from it even if u sit on the keyboard for an hour) and it always seems to be occuring when I ask to display a popup menu (like when u right clic) or when I minimise/expand some windows. It froze just before these task are done, so that I can see these popup menu half-way displayed or those windows half-way maximised/expanded. Any suggestion?

Configuration:
FIC-k6110 Motherboard (VIA)
2 quantum hd
2 cd-rom
Asus GeForce 2 MX
couple of other things...

[sleddog]

Is it overheating? Try running with the cover removed and a fan blowing directly into the case.

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sleddog
[sleddog.f2s.com] (http://www.sleddog.f2s.com)

[rigur]

no, it's not hoverheating. It's about ambient temperature inside.

[Paleo Pete]

I agree with sleddog, check for heat, that's my first impression. Clean the inside of the case with compressed air can or a soft brush, and run it open with a fan to be sure.

Also check in BIOS for a Setup defaults or Optimal Default setting. Something could be wrong there, and causing resources to cause the hangups.

Power supply is also suspect, either weak or getting hot.

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[rigur]

Heat seems pretty OK inside my box. The only things is that on my geforce 2 mx, I feel alot of heat on the back of the card (where the GPU is). This card have a heat dissipating device but no fan. The heat comming from it doesn't gets around, I can feel it only if I touch the back of the card. This could be normal perhaps...

[hiredgoonz]

I think paleo pete nailed it with the power supply comment...you didn't say what else you have in your system, but if you got lots of stuff in there...hard drives, cd drives, etc. your power supply may be the culprit...

Does the problem appear when you start to access a drive or run intense games? If the case is from a manufacturer like compaq or gateway, it may be a skimpy supply. You should be able to get a replacement at a local shop or online pretty cheap, the clock thing is strange...cmos battery may be going...

[This message has been edited by hiredgoonz (edited 01-19-2001).]

[rigur]

ok, I'll buy a new power supply and i'll tell u guys if that solves my problem.

[Paleo Pete]

The heat on the video card might also be causing this, I don't know if fans are available for those cards, but if so, it would be wise to get one.

Another case fan might help too, if you don't have one intake fan, (usually in the power supply) and one exhaust fan to move more air through the case.

To prove heat IS or IS NOT the problem, follow sleddog's advice above, run it with the case open and a small fan blowing into the case.

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[rigur]

I have put a fan so that it blows in the case but that didn't seems to solve the problem. After open my case, I notice that my power supply is a 125W. Hummm. Is that too weak? I thought that a power supply was supposed to be at least 250 Watt. Maybe this is my problem?

[Rick]

a 125 watt supply is good for a bare bones system only.
You need at least a 235 watt

[Paleo Pete]

Yeppers, power supply is too weak. I would go with at least 250W, and preferably 300W.

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If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you!
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