Which hardware could cause my computer just randomly restart?

Question

So I get this message after my computer restarts:
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Problem caused by computer hardware

This problem was caused by an unrecoverable hardware error that caused the operating system to stop functioning.

Troubleshooting

If you have received this error more than once, it could indicate a serious problem with your computer. We recommend that you do the following:

1. Back up your files to avoid data loss in case of a complete hardware failure.
2. Contact the original manufacturer of your computer to determine the specific component which is failing.
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So which hardware? Power supply? RAM?
Computer: Windows XP, 1GB Ram (1 of the 512 MB sticks is cheap RAM, though), and P4 2.4 GHz, Geforce 6200 256 MB, and generic 350 PSU.

Answer 1

if it happened once, ignore it, if it keeps happening after a certain amount of time, your PC may be overheating. if this is the case, blow out all the dust and don't block the fan(s) and make sure your CPU fan is running.

If it is happening randomly and frequently, there's not much that can be done except reinstalling your OS.

If it happens when you exit a program, it's the RAM

If it happens when you're in a graphical big spot, it's your video card

Hope this helps a little :)

Answer 2

Random computer reboots can be caused by a lot of different reasons and should probably be tested with by a technician with good hardware diagnostic tools.

As for what to look for, here is a list of things that I have encountered in the past, as a technician:
1. Real Time Clock (RTC) - System Board needs to be replaced
2. Bad Memory - RAM needs to be replaced
3. Overheating CPU - CPU Fan and possibly a damaged CPU need to be replaced
4. Bad sectors on the hard drive - Data needs to be backed up and hard drive replaced
5. Defective keyboard - Keyboard needs to be replaced
6. Blown capacitors - System board needs to be replaced
7. Messed up drivers or corrupt system files - Windows needs to be repaired
8. Virus or spyware present - Data needs to be backed up, virus and spyware removed and up-to-date Anti-Virus application installed.

Answer 3

If you were doing something that was very taxing on the computer, such as playing a video game, then a computer reset is not uncommon. Windows had detected that what you were doing was just too much for the computer, and had reset itself to make sure you wouldn't do any damage to it. Try lowering your settings in game to see if it helps, and making sure you have updated drivers for your video card.

If you weren't playing a game, and just running regular programs, make sure nothing is running in the background on your computer that would eat up system resources. If there isn't, you may have a bad stick of RAM, though that usually causes program termination, not full system shutdown (unless Windows itself ran out of memory). Try running the memtest86 (www.memtest86.com) program to see if that's the case.

Good luck!

Answer 4

All you're telling us is what the computer told you. If it was as easy as reading the error message and knowing which piece of hardware it was, then they would have just put it in the error message. It could be almost anything.

Answer 5

Problem caused by computer hardware or you have a bad virus are two I can think of.

Answer 6

RAM