HELP ! PC with XP(SP2) shuts down and reboots unexpectedly and automatically?

Question

Same thing was happening with my old PC, so i bought a new one.
It was fine for 3-4 months and now it's happening on this one too. I tried everything, system restore, complete virus scan with updated anti-virus, defrag, disk cleaner etc. Doesn't help.

Microsoft error reporting says "an unknown device driver" can be causing this, how can I solve this ?

Should I just completely re-format the hard-drive, my imp stuff is backed up on a firewire drive. If , so how should I go about this ?

On doing more research I found out the automatically shutting and rebooting is XP's way of avoiding the "Blue Screen of Death". It can be turned off. So one problem is solved, but the main problem still remains, "an unknown device driver"
I unsinstalled my printer, camera, ipod drivers.
But the problem still occurs.

It has major issues with any USB. I think the culprit is my firewire drive since I use it wihtout the drivers.
But even after everything is unplugged and the only usb is my mouse, it still hangs. At this point, I guess my only option is to reformat, since I have uninstalled, everything.

Thanks to all of you who posted anwers. There are too many good ones to choose a best one. I'll let the jury decide.

Answer 1

check your firewire drive.it is proberly this.
uninstall this (but make sure you have the drivers )(also check for updates to this drive)

Answer 2

This is something I had to turn off. One of the first things, actually. It is easy. Go into control panes, system, advanced tab, under startupand recovery - settings. Now "uncheck" "automaticly restart". That will prevent the computer from rebooting every time there is any kind of an error. After that, go into device manager and see if there are any conflicts. Try to remember what you installed at the time this started happening. But this will fix it for now, absolutely.

Answer 3

Sounds like a program or piece of hardware you have added is causing the problem. If you're running Norton Systemworks, that may be the problem. See if the "unknown device" is listed in the Device Manager.

Answer 4

first, unplug everything unecassary from the pc, then try it.

if thats doesnt work, uninstall anything new programs uve installed recently (within a week)

if that doesnt work, uninstalled any programs new/old that uve had to reinstall for any reason.

then kill its internet connection and try.

also make sure its not overheating (i think someone said that).

if u got it from someplace like dell, go to thier customer support place, and ask the proffessional techies, we only do this as a side job, those dell techies r really good

Answer 5

Are you leaving your computer in a cabinet? Perhaps there is no airflow which cause computers to shut down.

Or, the electrical outlet is bad, try plugging the computer into another outlet. If it works, perhaps buying a UPS may fix the electrical issue in the original outlet.

Answer 6

It may be a new thing you installed recently. I had this camera and the driver made my computer restart every now and then. I got rid of that camera, uninstalled the driver and now I'm fine.

Answer 7

sounds like your config settings are in corect! go to windows site and download the fix. read the info before you download the file. or the same thing will happen again and again. check your computer! go to the website where it was made and they will have a fix for your problem

Answer 8

There seems to be an error in your computer...go to control panel and click on system/advanced and click start up and recovery and un-check (under system failure setting) automatically restart.

Answer 9

This is the download text file that will talk you through a "Clean Install" of your OS. Good Luck