PC randomly reboots … or not

[Nickster]

PC randomly reboots … or not. For the past 2 weeks, my computer simply reboots on its own or just freezes, whether I’m in an app, just surfing or during the reboot. When it comes to a dead stop before rebooting, I hear a click (probably the Viewsonic monitor). Sometimes it just comes to a dead halt without rebooting then I have to hit the power button off then power on to reboot.

Also, once in awhile I get a checkerboard screen of multiple colors moving up and down then I have to re-boot. In the past, I’ve religiously done my virus and malware checks. Now I can’t even complete one malware scan before it re-boots or stops.

Once I got the following message:
0251: System CMOS checksum bad – default configuration used

Any ideas of what the problem could be?

The config:
eMachines T1440
1.4 GHz
256 mb RAM
XP Pro
XP Pro Office
PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0 vs. 1.05e


I’ve checked all connections – all is OK.

Just in case, where do I get a PSU and/or CMOS battery? It’s been difficult finding a CMOS battery for the T1440 or is it juts a standard?

Thanks,
Nickster

[saphalline]

Older OEM systems are notorious for having PSU problems, especially eMachines. Although your system is old enough to have avoided the dreaded Bestec PSU's that would die after 18 months and take the mobo with it! :eek:

The first thing I would suggest is to just replace whatever PSU is in there. It will have to be a smaller PSU, possibly even a micro-ATX PSU. But even a 250W micro-ATX PSU is plenty of power for that old thing. That's a $40-50 fix, more or less.

The next thing would be to replace the CMOS battery. They die over time. I wouldn't be surprised if yours is totally dead. These are standard CR2032 button cells. $3 at your nearest Radio Shack or Walmart or whatever.