PC Problem

[.jrauck]

This pc I have had for a good 5 years or so is giving me problems. It will just restart for no reason. I was thinking its the PSU, but not really sure. My mom had it for the past 2 years and I just got it back. She said it would shut off, but every time I went to check it out the computer was fine so I know it didnt do it near as much as it does now.

[NuKS]

Download pc wizard and check your temperatures if you don't already have a program that checks it for you. If temps are high, check out the inside and see if there is a buildup of dust inside the case on the cpu cooler. If not, I would be looking at powersupply.

[Bucko]

Or just start with the basics. Reseat everything like the RAM, video and sound cards that may have worked loose over time. Then check all power connections are in properly.
It costs you nothing to do and at least eliminates some possible problems.

[NuKS]

Yeah, what Bucko said;)
and while you are at it, spray out any dust that has built up inside your case.

[.jrauck]

Ok ill try that. Pc Wizard says that the processor is running at 55 °C or 131 °F. Ill check the connections in a few.

[Bucko]

That is a a little warm. Not critically high, but if they are idle temps, when you work the PC it will get hotter and possibly shut down.

[.jrauck]

Ok my pc restarted and then when it came back on it that error report window came up and I told it to send me an error report and it said that the "system restarted because of a driver." The only problem is that I am not sure what driver it is since its been doing this for a good well 2 years now. Yes I reformatted windows about 2 months and while installing it, the computer restarted it during the process.

[Eclecticos]

1.Right Click on my computer.
2.Select Properties.
3.Click advanced tab.
4.Click Settings under startup, and Recovery.
5.Under system Failure Uncheck Automatic Restart.

Run a Memtest.

Check for Device Conflicts.

Make sure you have an Exhaust fan.
The Fan blades should be facing inside the case.

[.jrauck]

Ive unchecked restart before but almost every time the comp went to blue screen it gave me a different error.

How do I run a Memtest?

I have 4 fans going.

[Eclecticos]

Go here to Download It. MemTest (http://www.memtest.org/)

I'd recommend the bootable ISO.

Have you installed any new hardware?

Another Possible Solution.
1.Turn the computer off. Unplug It.
2.If you have two sticks of ram remove one.
3.Reboot.

[.jrauck]

Yes I recently installed the video card drivers, which I found out when my brother re-installed everything he never installed the video card.

This is an error I got a while back: nv4_disp.dll

When I try to turn the computer off it goes to the blue screen and says:
Beginning dump of physical memory
Physical memory dump complete.

[Eclecticos]

Roll Back the Drivers. You installed the wrong ones, or your OS doesn't support them.

When you have computer problems always run a search of the Present and previous day to see whats been modified or newly Installed.
Adjust the search to Date and Time. And search *.*

Its funny when you have guests and they swear they didn't mess something up. So I look at my watch, run the search.
and say Well apparently at 3:16 you installed this. And Modified this. :D

[.jrauck]

The only problem is that I don't know which drivers are the problem. The restore thing only shows like specific programs it doesn't even show the day I installed the drivers for my video card. Also another problem is that it only goes back as far as February.

[Eclecticos]

Goto Device Manager->Display Adapters->Click on the Driver Tab->Roll Back Driver.

As long as the video worked before you shouldn't end up with no video when you reboot.

If you only have one video card installed and you see two. Uninstall one.

If you have onboard video card on your mobo you can turn it off so it dosen't share your memory. DO NOT do this inless you continue to have problems.

If you end up with no video reset the CMOS. Via the CLR Jumper.

. .Need to mow the lawn its a jungle out there. I Hope that helps.
Be back later.

[XcOM]

im assuming you using XP, if so, do the above, Roll back the drivers, and what GFX card are you using, i am assuming (again, twice in one day, WOW) your using an Nvidia 4,5 or 6 series? if so, goto:

LinkNV (http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71.html)

Use them drivers for XP, this should fix the problem.
Before you do this check all your system drivers are installed.
Chipset,
AGP/PCIx drivers

Theres no massive buildup of dust in the system, and check that all items are seated correctly.

The above drivers are for
NVIDIA Cards only, for a support list go Here (http://www.nvidia.com/object/93.71_winxp_32_supported.html) running WINDOWS XP/2000

[.jrauck]

Couldn't find any air for the dust : /...

I went to walgreens and I talked to 3 people and they didnt know what the hell I was talking about when I asked them if they had a can of air finally I got to the fourth person and they showed me where it was supposed be and and there was no more there.

I went to CVS and I asked for the can of air for computers and she took me to the wipes, then I said it was a can of air to get the dust out of my computer and she said oh ive seen it before, then she said they dont have it, then she said they do have it, then she said well I dont know if we have it, then she asked me if it was a black can and I told here I didnt know, so she walked off.

Then I went to radio shack and I couldn't find anyone there.

[Eclecticos]

Walmart has it. Dust is not your problem IMO.

[.jrauck]

Walmart has it. Dust is not your problem IMO.
Ya I know its not the dust but I just thought while im messing with it I might as well clean out the dust.

I rolled back the driver and it hasn't restarted on my, but I haven't really done much since then. It usually restarts when I play games or watch videos.

[Eclecticos]

The best advise I could give you is not to mess with anything else if its up and running. Seen it a thousand times.
Maybee its this. . maybee its that. "1" Thing at a time. Or you'll regret it.

[.jrauck]

Darn thing restarted again. I guess ill just have to keep messing with stuff like you said until I get it right.

XcOM this computer has a MX 440.

[Eclecticos]

I had that problem the other day. I unplugged the computer and spaced the memory out. That fixed my problem.

Its a Memory Problem. Thats for sure. May be your video memory.

Just make sure the computer is unplugged before touching anything inside!

Can't stress that enough.

[.jrauck]

Ya I know quite a bit about computers, really the only thing I don't know crap about is the drivers because ive never had to mess with my drivers or anything like that before.

[Eclecticos]

Well, Thats about all I know to do.

If all else fails get a new video card the Nvidia 7 Series are cheap Nowdays.

I Hope ya get it fixed.

-Have a Good Un'

[.jrauck]

Ya my dad has a few video cards and psus laying around I guess ill have to go over there and swap out the parts. Anyways thankyou guys peace.

[XcOM]

swap one part a time, and test it for a few days, if it crashes during games use a stress test from:
www.madonion.com