Possessed computer

[thejay]

I'm having a problem with my computer- it restarts unexpectedly. I could be watching tv on my computer, writing and email, or simply listening to music on it and it will restart. Also, sometimes when it restarts it'll shut off then restart again and do it consecutively without even letting my computer load. There have been a few times where it'll shut down and stay off for about 20seconds as well. Also, this doesn't happen every day- sometimes it'll be 3 days before it'll do it again.
My computer temps are fine- usually my cpu is around 102F and the PMW 100 or 102 (say if the case is 89). Voltages don't look bad either. I have Norton antivirus and Ad-aware and sygate personal firewall as well...and spybot. They havn't detected anything major- I just don't know what it is.
If anyone could help I'd really appreciate it, I really don't know too much about computers. :(

[classicsoftware]

The main causes of random re-booting:

1) heat
2) Bad RAM
3) Malware
4) Bad capacitors on the motherboard.
--------------------------------------

1) Open the case and put a small fan blowing gently on the inside of the PC? Does it improve?

2) Test the RAM

3) Scan with Adaware and Soybot and post a Hijackthis log.

If 1-3 are negative, we can go look at the capacitors for signs of bulging.

Please provide full system specs:

Processor
RAM
HD
OS
Make/Model

[Paleo Pete]

First thing to try is a different power supply. Heat and power supply are the main two causes of spontaneous reboots. Also just to be sure, open the case and make sure it has no dust and lint in it, I use canned compressed air usually availlable at department stores. Pay close attention to the power supply, CPU fan and heatsink, the heatsink usually has dust on it regardless of the condition of the rest of the computer.

EDIT: classicsoftware must have posted while I was typing...I went with power supply because the original post says the CPU temp is 102F, that's not all that hot. Of course classic spotted a couple of things I didn't think about... :rolleyes:

More info on Bad Capacitors (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25482).