My desktop computer restarts by itself. How do I resolve this?

Question

My PC restart by itself after it displays windows XP, i.e that's when you switch it on. it does not even go to the windows screen. I have been told by friends is something to do with the mother board but I'm not sure. Anyone has any ideas on how to resolve this?

Answer 1

First I would strip everything off your motherboard. Remove all extra PCI boards and extra memory etc. Remove all your USB/serial cables and stuff and go into bios and select setup default (not performance). Start your PC. If it does it again try another stick of memory in place of the one you left in. If still a problem it sounds like a virus and if you reinstall Windows XP using fdisk make sure you c:\ format /u as the virus might be in yer boot.
If the problem is resolved by removing items it maybe your power supply not coping or on its way out or one of the components removed is faulty. So put stuff back on your board one at a time and start PC to find the problem device. As you load your board up the power will be drained so the fault may occur. So make sure you swap your PCI boards around before slinging it in the bin to check they are OK because it might be the power supply.

Answer 2

well i had a similar program and what i did was went through the administrator account...and then before i got restarted i loaded my virus scan and booted it out..sometimes the virus can be attached to a random file with an odd looking icon one which u probably havnt seen before...if it isnt a virus then i suggest u take it to a professional..teh motherboard theory soudns correct providing it isnt the same or a similar virus as mine! but most likely it sounds liek a virus. Safe Mode, Administrator account..boot virus :) thats what i think

Answer 3

try entering windows safe mode by holding down F8 after your computer has completed it's bios checks. If it can not enter safe mode, it might need a reinstall of windows or possibly it might be a hardware problem, for example your CPU might be overheating, you could try removing and replacing the memory... If you are unsure how to do any of this find someone you know who does, or find a local computer shop that can help you...

Answer 4

That is a pretty common problem! I have heard of this many times. I am not sure, but it almost has to be some power surge of some time.
I tell people just to leave their computers on. In sleep mode they don't use much power, and they seem to last as long or longer shutting them down only when necessary.

Answer 5

I have seen this before and the cause was overheating. Can you check the CPU temperature at all? It should be in the range of 35 - 60 C. If its sitting higher, then that is the problem.

http://www.compukiss.com/care-maintenance/keep-your-computer-cool-2.html

The above link is advice on how to keep a PC cool ;)

Answer 6

Oh dear!! this happened to me and it never recovered. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Try what the other person said and if that doesn't work sought help!!!

Answer 7

If your computer is not working properly while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software.
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr

Answer 8

Try running it in safe mode first and use "System Restore" to restore it to a version when the system was running fine.

Answer 9

Mine started to do this and it turned out I had a virus !!!! xx

Answer 10

check you memory module, one of them is a defective one that why it keeps rebooting itself.