computer keeps restarting?

Question

i am trying to reinstall windows because my computer kept restarting on its ow accord and crashing. but when i'm half way through the installation process, it will turn its self off.not restart, its like n instant power loss. the power supply is fine, and so are the cables. anyone got any ideas.
i got the blue screen saying: PFN_LIST_CORRUPT. what does this mean?

Answer 1

A PFN corruption usually does mean a problem with memory but I think that the PFN may be getting corrupted by the restarts that are happening to your machine. restarts can be for a variety of reasons. You are confident that the PS isn't the problem so I reckon it is either a worm or (and I think more likely) your CPU is overheating and you PC is rebooting when a critical temperature is reached. Check out your CPU fan - if it is covered in gunge or not turning then there is your problem

AJ

Answer 2

There seems to be many articles on Google stating that the problem is usually related to bad memory (RAM), or an overheating CPU.

The first thing you must do is to check that the fan at the back of the computer is not blocked at all; a vacuum cleaner and paintbrush would suffice to do this.

If the problem still happens, this article is a direct quote from the Microsoft Knowledge Base:


How to Troubleshoot a "STOP: 0x0000004E PFN_LIST_CORRUPT" Error Message

Article ID : 291806
Last Review : May 30, 2007
Revision : 4.2

This article was previously published under Q291806
SYMPTOMS

When you use a Windows 2000-based computer, you may receive the following error message on a blue screen:
STOP: 0x0000004E PFN_LIST_CORRUPT (Parameter1, Parameter2, Parameter3, Parameter4)

CAUSE
This behavior occurs because a driver or other problem damaged the input/output (I/O) driver structures.

MORE INFORMATION
To troubleshoot this behavior:
1. Run hardware diagnostic tools that are provided by your computer manufacturer.
2. Disable all file system filter drivers, such as backup utilities, virus scanners, or firewall software.
3. View the following Microsoft Web site to verify that the hardware and the drivers for the hardware are compatible with Windows 2000:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx)
For information about the hardware on your computer, contact the manufacturer.
4. If you receive this error message randomly, or when you try to start a program, remove extra memory or have the random access memory (RAM) in your computer tested. This behavior may occur if you have bad RAM.
For more information about the parameters of the PFN_LIST_CORRUPT function, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms793247.aspx (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms793247.aspx)

Answer 3

Something on start-up must be causing it to restart. Most computers I've worked with have a way to bypass the usual start-up routine so that you can troubleshoot or restore/wipe the drive and so forth. The steps to take may be completely different depending on the exact kind of computer, though. If you know the computer's manufacturer and model number, you may be able to go to their website and find specific instructions. If you still have owner's manuals you can probably find the steps to follow in there also. I would recommend not going into the registry unless you know exactly what you're doing. A wrong move can seriously mess up the computer from what I've heard.

Answer 4

You got a bad memory stick, or it is not seated in the slot very snugly. First try pushing it down a little harder (not too hard, lol). You could also have a hard drive going bad. But I would say your memory. My computer restarts all the time, I get blue screens all the time and the error is different every single time. I did replace my 512mb stick with a friends memory as an experiment (2 , 256Mb chips) and it actually ran worse. Go figure.

But i'll be sitting here doing something and poof, it just instantly reboots (almost like someone turned the electricity off and back on). It seems to only do it when I run heavy duty programs, doesn't do it while surfing and other light weight stuff. But I have a list of programs that when I run, will almost always reset my computer (Paint Shop Pro, Converting DVD's to AVI movies, Java programs like Azuerus or Runescape) and an online poker game I play that uses shockwave., Like I said, heavy duty stuff that sucks up most of the memory.... It seems to me like I got a bad spot towards the end of the memory stick.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a ventilation problem maybe, or a power supply problem. How do you know the power supply is okay?

I'd open the box IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING and reseat the memory sticks and the cards. Power on so you can see the power supply fan and CPU & any other fans are working properly.

Answer 6

It has been my experience that when a computer keeps restarting on it's own it is either of 2 problems, the power supply..which you say is fine or the computers mainboard.
In my opinion your mainboard is probably bad.

Answer 7

probably a memory problem. The best solution will be to remove all extra hardware eg. memory, sound card, graphics card and see if the problem persists. Then insert each component back into your computer and try it.

Answer 8

Looks like a Ram problem but you could google it and see what you get.
But on the safe side test your HDD using seatool .You should be able to down load it from seagate website.

Answer 9

Check this: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?topic=2451.0

Answer 10

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