PC suddenly resets

[JGO]

Hello everyone,
Well the problem that I have is that my computer is reseting suddenly without a reason, I'm playing FIFA 2003 or GTA-VC and I can play for a while and then just out of nowhere the computer restarts, this also happends when I'm on the internet, I actually remove a bad RAM module, get a new Hard drive and re-install my OS, and work well but only for 3 weeks now I'm starting to have the same problem again. My machine specifications are: CPU Athlon 1900 XP, RAM 512 MB, 2 Hard Drives of 60GB each, Windows XP Home, Hercules GeForce 3, Audio Card Audigy Gamer, Modem and Network Card. Like I said, after I reintall the OS the PC works fine but after a while starts giving me the same problem.

[pentachris]

Hi JGO.

Unfortunately, there are several reasons why this could be happening, and pinpointing the cause might be difficult.

One possibility is bad capacitors (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21744). You might want to open your case and inspect your motherboard.

Another possibility is excessive heat. You could try downloading MBM (http://mbm.livewiredev.com/) and monitoring your temps. Or, you could try opening your case and setting a small fan beside it to blow some fresh air in. Since it's happening when you're gaming, perhaps your video card is getting too hot - this would be my guess.

A third suspect is a failing power supply. Are you handy with a voltmeter?

[JGO]

I take a look at the capacitors and I don't look nothing suspicious, I was thinking of excesive heat, but I have 3 fans for the insides of the case, 1 in the front and 2 on the back and the video card has it's own fan, and I even leave the case open. Probably is the video card, but I don't have any other card to try and I can't to spend $100.00 in a card right now, I know how to use a voltmeter, which part do I have to test in the power supply?
Thank's for your help!!

[Budfred]

Having 3 fans, a fan on the video card and an open case is still not a guarantee that it isn't heat. I would still try the fan blowing into the open case since it is easy and will show you if that is the problem.

[JGO]

Thanks to all your comments,
I guess this could lead us to the problem, today I was going to try the fan over the open case, but when I try to turn on the machine, POST was doing OK, but when the OS never started, I push the reset button and then only half of the memory that I have was displayed in the check of the memory at the moment of restarting. It only detect 256 of the 512 that I have. I previously have 768, but I have already remove a module because I was giving me the same problem, but I never imagen that another module could get damaged. I turn off the machine and after an hour I return and turn it on again, and now the 512 were recognized.
My question is, do you think that is the socket of the memory the one damaging the memory or is probably that the cheap modules are giving now and I have to get a new ones. There name of the chips on the modules are NANYA, probably I should get some Kingston or Crucial, but I will wait for your advice on this.
Thank You in advance!!

[mjc]

Nanya are some of the better chips.....

I would say that your RAM getting too hot is a possibility, especially since it "comes back" after a cool down period.

[ITRFGUY]

We had a problem quite like yours. It turned out to be a bad memory controller on the motherboard. Good luck.

[superdrumr]

JGO,
The same thing was happening to me, given the high power consumption of you devices, id say that your power supply is too small, or malfunctioning. Go to your local store and pick up something in the 400-450 range. Hope it helps

[JGO]

Thanks for all your advices,
I will start by trying with a different power supply, the one that I have is 450, but I'm goign to try with another one just in case, is there something I can do about the memory controller?
Shame on me for calling NANYA cheap memory :p

[ITRFGUY]

If I remember correctly, the chipset on the motherboard is responsible for memory control. If indeed this is the culprit, then a new motherboard is the fix.

[Budfred]

Before you go out and buy a new power supply or motherboard, have you tried the fan blowing into the case yet? Also you can download DocMem (http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp) and use it to test your RAM to see if that is the problem.

[JGO]

Yep,
I already try the fan blowing into the case, I will try DocMem before doing anything else, like I tell you last time, after the MotherBoard detecting only 256 I haven't had any problems, but I know what to do when this happens again, so I will run the test to the memory and meanwhile probably I will try to borrow a power supply from someone.
Again thanks for all your advices, and as soon as I figure the problem, I will let you know!!