Computer restarting for no reason...

jepherz · Aug 11, 2009, 08:36 PM

My uncles computer is restarting randomly. It's been happening for over a month and I'm trying to help him out and don't know whats going on. He tells me it just restarts randomly without warning ( no BSOD). Today, it didn't even get to windows, it just hung at the "Dell" logo screen where you can press F2 or F12 to get into bios or boot menu. Pressing those buttons didnt do anything (the keyboard is working fine, I'm typing on it now). So I checked the PSU cable, which seems to be fine, he doesn't have it up against the wall or anthing. So I swapped the ram around, hes running dual channel. I tried 1 stick of RAM only, tried both like this, then put them both back in, and I could get into windows. Then I tried downloading and running memtest, it ran for over an hour with no errors, then the computer shut down. I'm guessing it was one of those random crashes my uncle mentioned. Everything seems to be working fine except these random restarts and I'm pretty much out of ideas as to what might be wrong. Maybe the PSU is dieing and causing these random restarts or I could try reformatting, though I don't think that will fix this issue. I don't want to reformat though, he has alot of things he needs to back up if we decide to do that...anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

Bolletje · Aug 11, 2009, 09:02 PM

Back-up using external media like an USB stick or external harddrive.

My uncle also has this problem. Didn't looked at it though, but maybe a bad harddrive or high temperatures?

procupine14 · Aug 11, 2009, 09:18 PM

This is what sounds to me like a failing PSU. This would explain the random restarts that you're dealing with. Its either that or the motherboard is on the fritz.

If you happen to have a PSU lying around trying swapping it out if you can. Some of those Dells have some proprietary PSUs so use caution with that.

OldBuzzard · Aug 11, 2009, 10:34 PM

Porkey is right.

Those are classic dieing/dead PSU symptons.

Cow_160483 · Aug 12, 2009, 08:17 AM

OldBuzzard hit the nail on the head its the power supply i had the same problems just last week and took me a while to sort it out coz at first i thought it was the hard drive and swapped that out and then the ram, motherboard and finally the PSU which ended up solving the problem

In your case it could be one of two things the power supply (most probably) or the HDD (not likely but worth checking).

Bolletje · Aug 12, 2009, 05:37 PM

Thanks guys, tomorrow I will get a PC with similar problems. I hope it's the PSU and just swap it

jepherz · Aug 13, 2009, 02:42 AM

thanks for the replies everyone =]

I'll ask around for a spare PSU from people I know and hope they have one D:

Aug 11, 2009, 08:36 PM	#1
jepherz HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Computer restarting for no reason... My uncles computer is restarting randomly. It's been happening for over a month and I'm trying to help him out and don't know whats going on. He tells me it just restarts randomly without warning ( no BSOD). Today, it didn't even get to windows, it just hung at the "Dell" logo screen where you can press F2 or F12 to get into bios or boot menu. Pressing those buttons didnt do anything (the keyboard is working fine, I'm typing on it now). So I checked the PSU cable, which seems to be fine, he doesn't have it up against the wall or anthing. So I swapped the ram around, hes running dual channel. I tried 1 stick of RAM only, tried both like this, then put them both back in, and I could get into windows. Then I tried downloading and running memtest, it ran for over an hour with no errors, then the computer shut down. I'm guessing it was one of those random crashes my uncle mentioned. Everything seems to be working fine except these random restarts and I'm pretty much out of ideas as to what might be wrong. Maybe the PSU is dieing and causing these random restarts or I could try reformatting, though I don't think that will fix this issue. I don't want to reformat though, he has alot of things he needs to back up if we decide to do that...anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

Aug 11, 2009, 09:02 PM	#2
Bolletje HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,224 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... Back-up using external media like an USB stick or external harddrive. My uncle also has this problem. Didn't looked at it though, but maybe a bad harddrive or high temperatures?

Aug 11, 2009, 09:18 PM	#3
procupine14 Why is it Beeping!?!?! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA, Missouri Posts: 1,400 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... This is what sounds to me like a failing PSU. This would explain the random restarts that you're dealing with. Its either that or the motherboard is on the fritz. If you happen to have a PSU lying around trying swapping it out if you can. Some of those Dells have some proprietary PSUs so use caution with that. __________________ HTPC/file server: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom x4 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 800 (2x2GB) - 1TB WD Black - 4 x 1TB Hitachi DeskStar in RAID 5 - ATi TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner - HIS Raedon 4850 512MB - ASRock N68C-S UCC mobo - OCZ ModExtreme Pro 500W PSU GF's Gaming PC: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit - AMD Phenom 9850 - 4GB OCZ DDR2 1066 - 500GB Western Digital GP - HIS Raedon 5770 1GB - ASUS M3A78-EM - Zalman 650W PSU Media Streamer: Win 7 Pro 64-bit - AMD Athlon x2 3200+ - 4GB SuperTalent DDR2 800 - 250GB SeaGate Barracuda - MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 - ASUS Raedon 5450 SILENT - FSP group 250W PSU

Aug 11, 2009, 10:34 PM	#4
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... Porkey is right. Those are classic dieing/dead PSU symptons. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Aug 12, 2009, 08:17 AM	#5
Cow_160483 HH's only cow moooooo... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BOTSWANA Posts: 6,817 Rep Power: 300 System Specs	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... OldBuzzard hit the nail on the head its the power supply i had the same problems just last week and took me a while to sort it out coz at first i thought it was the hard drive and swapped that out and then the ram, motherboard and finally the PSU which ended up solving the problem In your case it could be one of two things the power supply (most probably) or the HDD (not likely but worth checking). __________________ Decode! Muhahahahah!

Aug 12, 2009, 05:37 PM	#6
Bolletje HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,224 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... Thanks guys, tomorrow I will get a PC with similar problems. I hope it's the PSU and just swap it

Aug 13, 2009, 02:42 AM	Thread Starter #7
jepherz HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 119 Rep Power: 0	Re: Computer restarting for no reason... thanks for the replies everyone =] I'll ask around for a spare PSU from people I know and hope they have one D: