Rapid Rebooting

[classicsoftware]

System Acer P-4 Intel 8215 seris mobo w/ integrated sound/video/nic.
System has NEVER been on line.

Develops a case of the rapid re-boots.

I wrote a little routine to log each time it boots:

DATE--------TIME
2004-02-04 18:50:50
2004-02-04 18:57:43
2004-02-04 19:03:30
2004-02-04 19:08:59
2004-02-04 19:14:06
2004-02-04 19:18:42
2004-02-04 19:24:24
2004-02-04 19:28:46
2004-02-04 19:34:36
2004-02-04 19:39:42
2004-02-04 19:45:09
2004-02-04 19:51:11
2004-02-04 19:54:07
2004-02-04 20:00:32
2004-02-04 20:04:59
2004-02-04 20:10:25
2004-02-04 20:15:19
2004-02-04 20:20:24
2004-02-04 20:25:19
2004-02-04 20:30:27
2004-02-04 22:59:53

I would usually expect this to heat related. I removed the sides and this showed no improvement. Booted into safe mode and the system will not randomly re-boot.

Ran a full virus scan with up to date virus definitions and it found nothing. Since the system has never been on line until today, I did not run hijack this or spybot as I do not expect it is malware related.

Ran SFC and it replaced 2 files and no improvement.

Ran a bootlog startup. Only one driver/device failed after a google search, it was not a problem.

I believe this is a problem with Windows as it only happens when Windows loads fully. Unless you folks feel otherwise, I don't think this is hardware related

What I need help with is how to track down what is causing the problem w/o doing a complete re-install of the O/S

Any suggestions would be appreciated as this has me stumped

[jabarnutcase]

Wow- That log you kept is very strange. Almost uncanny the frequency of the re-boots. Seems like they're all basically every 4 to 6 minutes.

That's a strange one. I must say, even though you don't feel it's hardware related, I once had a similar problem that drove me nuts and it turned out to be the PSU.

It was more a trail and error thing, and I finally replaced the Power Supply and it fixed the problem.
What was causing it beats me. It reminded me of capacitors charging and discharging at the time, or a protection circuit kicking in and out, although I'm sure that was just my demented mind trying to come up with a logical explanation.

Hopefully, others will have different ideas...There is always hope. :)

[classicsoftware]

If it's the power supply, why does it not happen in safe mode? All the devices have power? That's what made me think it's software related.

Thanks for the quick response.

[jabarnutcase]

Good point- I think I missed the "safe mode OK" part. Although, in safe mode, certain drivers for devices are not loaded. Does that mean therefore some of them are not actually requiring power they normally would? As in "disabled" :confused:

Never mind...Guess I'm just thinking out loud here...May be way off in left Field.
I...(we all) will keep thinking about this one....Interesting and a tough one to diagnose indeed.

[shanmuga]

What version of windows? At what stage it reboots, that is are you able to work on something for those 4-6 minutes between reboots? If you are running NT based OS you can try to stop rebooting - right-click My Computer --> Properties -->Advanced --> Startup and Recovery--> settings and uncheck "Reboot Automatically" , Log in under Safe Mode. Check the event log to see if you can get a clue as to what is causing the problem. Tried Last known good config ?

[Whyzman]

I'll refer to something Pete said "eons" ago...'That random reboots are most often RAM, heat, or PSU...

So, you might want to consider a RAM tester. It could be that Windows in SAFE MODE is not loading stuff far enough into the RAM banks to trigger the reboot...

Or, one other thought might be to run the Harddrive Diagnostics...I've had some pretty strange goings on with a ditsy Harddrive! :rolleyes:

[classicsoftware]

Just for the record it's Windows 98SE. I'll try the Ram tester and the hard drive tester and post back later tonight or early tomorrow.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll keep you advised