Why is my pc restarting without my command??

[nicz888]

Ok here is what happens.

Last week, my pc's power supply fails. So I bought a new 400 watts to replace the dead 400 watts. While I was doing that I saw my cpu heat sink and the cpu fan are dirty, so after I replace the power supply I went back to clean the fan the heat sink.

At first I did not know that the heat sink is glue to the cpu and when I took out the heat sink the cpu came out along with it. The reason I didn't know this is because I never build a pc.

And then after I cleaned the parts, I though it was ok to just put the cpu back to where it was suppose to go in the motherboard. at that moment when I was placing it back the lock on the motherboard wasn't unlock.

I plug in all cable and the power core, turn it own. my monitor said no video found. please check cable.

When I saw the message I knew I mess up. so I unplug everything and open up the case again and took out the heat sink and the cpu again. this time I used a fine thin wire to detach the cpu and the heat sink. I used the wire to cut thought the glue region that is in between the cpu and the heat sink.

Took me couple minutes and finally got it off. I open up the lock in the mother board socket and carefully place the cpu in the seat and make sure all pins goes in completely and locked it up again.

I put the heat sink back, close the case and plug in all the necessary cable turn it on again. and on the first boot some where message inform me again the information of the cpu like Intel Celeron 2.66 GHz and stuff like and nothing happen except two option f9 express recovery and the other one I can't remember.

I manual power it down and reboot it again and then window 2000(the os that is in the computer) runs.

Everything is fine right now, but occasionally I can see that my pc will just restart on its own free will. it happens like 3 times now since I did this last Friday. why is that??

[Ajmukon]

The "Glue" used to hold the Heat sink to the CPU is a THERMAL compound.
it takes heat away from the CPU and gives it to the Heatsink. WITHOUT THIS GLUE, THE CPU WILL OVERHEAT AND SHUTDOWN

this is a safety system to prevent damage to the CPU.

all you have to do is replace the "GLUE" with a thermal compound. You can buy these in any computer store: there called "Thermal Paste" - Arctic Silver is a good one.

but you must clean the CPU first to get rid of the original glue- i am not sure how to do that

[Fruss Tray Ted]

i am not sure how to do that
High purity isopropyl (rubbing or better) alcohol and a plastic scraper (plastic knife, credit card, piece of Scotch Brite pad etc). NO METAL!

[Paul Komski]

Misc instructions: http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_silver_instructions.htm

[nicz888]

I clean the CPU and heat sink with isopropyl alcohol, used some thermal compound I got from radio shack.

I turn on my pc but it keeps restarting on its' own after 90-100 minutes.

I install a program called the speed fan and it monitors the temperature of the system.

My temperature varies from 0 <-> 60C and it changes every second.

Is that normal?

The last time it restarts I was staring right at it and I didn't touch anything.

I brought the ceramique by Arctic Silver from radio shack, for $7.
It is white color. Not silver.
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2568725w345.jpg

Someone told me I brought the crap one; I need to buy the $10 one.
http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2568724w345.jpg

Could that be the problem that I need to buy the $10 thermal compound??

[nicz888]

btw the cpu fan is working while this is happening.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I think the thermal issue is well in hand. If the reboots are irregular, you can watch the temps in BIOS for a bit but I think you should post an HijackThis log to check for a malware possibility.

Why is my pc restarting without my command??
It's not rebooting without your command, it's just giving you a second chance... ;)
Just kidding! :D

[nicz888]

I think the thermal issue is well in hand. If the reboots are irregular, you can watch the temps in BIOS for a bit but I think you should post an HijackThis log to check for a malware possibility.



how do i do that??

[George Hallam]

To check the temps in the BIOS when the PC starts up press the "DEL" or "F2" button (depending on the BIOS) and find your way around until you find the temperature monitors.. But dont change any setting just to be on the safe side :p

To post a Hijack this log download this (http://files3.majorgeeks.com/files/ebae5f81d1c4563ae8f8d07b9290324f/spyware/HiJackThis.exe), save the log file and copy/paste the log onto here

[Ajmukon]

the only other thing it could be is a damaged CPU- but then usually the computer would not even start...

I still think the CPU is overheating- 60C is HOT- a CPU should run around ~30C

[nicz888]

someone told me try to swap out the current psu
this is the one i i just install, ever since i put this in i been having this restarting issue.
http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/143/10385143.jpg
CoolMax 400W 120mm Silent Cooling Fan Switching Power Supply - 14019
http://www.buy.com/prod/coolmax-400w-120mm-silent-cooling-fan-switching-power-supply/q/loc/101/10385143.html

to a new one just to test if it is the psu issue.
i am thinking of this one.
http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg_images/531/202902531.jpg
Antec Basiq BP350 ATX 12V v2.01 Power Supply - 350 W
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-basiq-bp350-atx-12v-v2-01-power-supply-350-w/q/loc/101/202902531.html

can i put a 350watt into my pc??
the dead one is 400 watt that is why i brought the cool max 400 watt.

[nicz888]

To check the temps in the BIOS when the PC starts up press the "DEL" or "F2" button (depending on the BIOS) and find your way around until you find the temperature monitors.. But dont change any setting just to be on the safe side :p

To post a Hijack this log download this (http://files3.majorgeeks.com/files/ebae5f81d1c4563ae8f8d07b9290324f/spyware/HiJackThis.exe), save the log file and copy/paste the log onto here

sorry, what is this hijack this log.
never hear of it.

also the link doesn't work. thanks.

[Ajmukon]

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/_download/HJTInstall.exe

is the correct link

DO NOT DO ANYTHING WITH HIJACK THIS-
DO A SYSTEM SCAN AND SAVE A LOGFILE THEN CLOSE THE HIJACK THIS PROGRAM.
it will open a notepad with the Log- DO NOT CLOSE THIS
copy the contents of the notepad (DO NOT UPLOAD THE FILE) ctrl-c / ctrl-v it into a "reply"- use as many as needed to post- then close the notepad

HIJACK THIS DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND BAD- it just tells everything which is running.- messing with the Hijack This without any knowledge WILL damage your system

[nicz888]

so i all i need to do is just install HJT and let it run and then it will automatic open up a notepad and all i have to do is copy and paste the content and close the program??

is it safe?

[mjc]

is it safe?

It is a thousand times safer than letting Windows automatically update itself...as long as all you do is make the log file. After that, without the proper guidance or knowledge, it can royally screw up an install...but, that is not something that it can do on its own.