Computer Woes

[Groggy]

A HDD error would tend to send some indicator of failure, like a sector error etc. I reckon Cliff is on the right track and it would be useful to know the mobo manufacturer. If the thing is making 'sick' noises it could be a CPU fan failing and an overheat problem, though these mostly cause a lockup.

So, what's the motherboard?

[Gumby]

I don't agree. A faulty HDD usually doesn't cause intermittent restarts.
A faulty HDD causes things to go slow & speed up & go slow & then certain aps will close with an error.
Reboots without warning are usually the M/B or the PSU.

That's why I asked the initial question and now I'd agree with Cliff. I'd be hoping it's the power supply though.

[RufflyRustic]

have you backed up your data recently? the Power Supply gets my vote

Cheers
Wendy
(who sometimes is a computer nerd)

[Cliff Rogers]

Possibly overheating?

Although I think it may tend to freeze rather then reboot.

......

In Tassie in winter???? It'd be frozen alright.

[ernknot]

Be kind to it and put it out of it's misery. Don't let it suffer any longer otherwise I will have to report this to the RSPCC.

[Sturdee]

One of our computers did the same. Rebooted without warning.

Turned out to be the temperature of the CPU chip. The fan wasn't cooling it enough and the chip reboots automatically.

Installed a case fan onto the back of the unit ( cost $ 10 ) and it hasn't done it since.


Peter.

[chrisb691]

I agree with all comments. The last pc that I had this happening on, turned out to have a bad stick of RAM. Also, check all your internal connections.

[Auld Bassoon]

Hardware, suspect M/Board, how old is it & what brand of M/Board?

We are having a VERY high number of Gigabyte motherboards in the 1 to 2 year old range failing at present.

You may be lucky as it could just be a crook power supply.
You should be able to get an ATX PSU for about $40, try that first.

Hi Cliff,

About three weeks ago I had the m/board and CPU fail simultaneously on a machine I use at work. The M/B was a Gigabyte GA-8ANXP-D and an intel CPU. The diagnostic guys reckon that the M/B failure caused the CPU to let go. Anyway, Gigabyte have replaced the M/B under warranty (even though it was nearly two years old), so I'm up for a few $ for a new CPU, but I can live with that. At least it didn't fry the RAM or anything else.

[bitingmidge]

P.

[dazzler]

Pulled the panel and the fan is working.

I put my pens in my top pocket, snapped my glasses in the middle and taped it back up, watched two hours of startrek and then looked again;

Here is what my machine has;

On the Fan thing;
INTEL A70178-001, 120105A, 109X7612H1166

On the square flat thing on the MB;
VT8601T, 2GA5406531

On the MB;
ASSEM, RTM8100L, GIGABYTE - GA6VEML

Power unit;
Model ATX-250GT
VT82C686B

Now to some of you non computer people this doesnt make much sense.
Not wanting to sound too clever I thought I could let someone else have the glory of telling everyone what this means

dazz-erkl

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Not wanting to sound too clever I thought I could let someone else have the glory of telling everyone what this means

It means that even though you broke your glasses, the repair is working fine.

[Groggy]

Dazzler - thanks for the giggles, well said.

I'd put the motherboard as the main suspect, my daughter has one doing the same thing every now and again. It also does something very weird - it starts itself up sometimes if I bump the cordless mouse :eek: (from a cold start).

Cliff may have some more specific info on that model mobo.

[Cliff Rogers]

GIGABYTE - GA6VEML :eek:

It has prob'ly got 'fat caps'.

Read this article, it will save me a bit of typing.
http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_30328/article.html
& this one has more pictures to look at.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195

If you were in Cairns, I'd offer to have a quick look & tell you for free. (do this for everyone)

If the M/B is stuffed, stop now, don't spend any more money one a 4 to 5 year old PC. Get a new one.

You won't be able to buy a new M/B that will take your current CPU, RAM & PSU. You may find one 2nd hand but HEAPS of M/Bs of that age have the same problem.

[dazzler]

Thanks Everyone.

I know what i gotta do........

[chrisb691]

Dazzler - thanks for the giggles, well said.

I'd put the motherboard as the main suspect, my daughter has one doing the same thing every now and again. It also does something very weird - it starts itself up sometimes if I bump the cordless mouse :eek: (from a cold start).

Cliff may have some more specific info on that model mobo.

Check your BIOS settings, and see if 'startup from mouse' (or something like that) is enabled. Or even 'startup from keyboard'.