Computer rebooting randomly.

[xboxist]

*disclaimer -- NOT very tech savvy, please don't flame me!*

My computer just starting randomly rebooting, an average of 1-2 times a day, and seemingly only after I close out of a program that I've been using for a little while.

Another interesting thing that I've noticed is that when this happens, it resets all of my stored passwords and makes me re-enter in log-in information for all of the websites I visit. Like just now, I had to relog into Anandtech. That never happens when I did a manual reboot/shutdown.

This reminds me of when a car battery will lose contact for just a moment, it will still reset like your stereo settings and such. Like they were wiped from memory.

What could be the culprit?

System:

Dell Dimension 8300 (3 years old, first time any problems have arisen)
P4 3.0
1gig RAM
6800 GT (installed this a year ago)
Windows XP SP2

 

[Kaspian]

Have you tried a different psu?

 

[Kaspian]

Whats the power rating on that 3 year old psu thats on that dell 8300?

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Kaspian
Whats the power rating on that 3 year old psu thats on that dell 8300?

Either 250W or 300W. The manual says it's one of those two. Tearing the computer apart, I see no writing on the PSU that would tell me.

I've just rechecked for spyware, and viruses. Nothing.

Motherboard Monitor is not compatible with my board.

After messing around more... the reboot appears to happen most often after I close my internet browser (Opera). But not always.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Kaspian
Have you tried a different psu?

I have no means of doing this. I don't have spare parts laying around, and I heard that Dell PSUs are proprietary as far as fitting in the case slot. I would have to modify my case to fit a new one in. Stupid Dell.

 

[xboxist]

Bump for help.

 

[Kaspian]

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: Kaspian
Have you tried a different psu?

I have no means of doing this. I don't have spare parts laying around, and I heard that Dell PSUs are proprietary as far as fitting in the case slot. I would have to modify my case to fit a new one in. Stupid Dell.

you dont have to mount the psu to the case. as long as the end connectors are the same just open up your case, set the psu on your desk and power up the computer and go from there.

 

[Kernel32]

We need more info....do the following:

1. Right click "My Computer" and choose properties

2. click the advanced tab

3. click Settings under "Startup and Recovery"

4. Uncheck "Automatically Restart" under the "System failure" section.

Next time it tries to reboot, it will blue screen first. Write down all of the information on the blue screen before rebooting it. This way, you will be able to search Microsoft's site or Google on the error code.

Much easier than guessing.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Kernel32
We need more info....do the following:

1. Right click "My Computer" and choose properties

2. click the advanced tab

3. click Settings under "Startup and Recovery"

4. Uncheck "Automatically Restart" under the "System failure" section.

Next time it tries to reboot, it will blue screen first. Write down all of the information on the blue screen before rebooting it. This way, you will be able to search Microsoft's site or Google on the error code.

Much easier than guessing.

That seemed like a really good idea! Except... when I went there, "Automatically Restart" was already unchecked. Interesting, huh?

So... that fact... what does that say about the situation? I want to hear you think out loud. Windows doesn't even know an error is occuring.

 

[xboxist]

Originally posted by: Kaspian

Originally posted by: xboxist

Originally posted by: Kaspian
Have you tried a different psu?

I have no means of doing this. I don't have spare parts laying around, and I heard that Dell PSUs are proprietary as far as fitting in the case slot. I would have to modify my case to fit a new one in. Stupid Dell.

you dont have to mount the psu to the case. as long as the end connectors are the same just open up your case, set the psu on your desk and power up the computer and go from there.

I'll see if I can get a friend over with a spare PSU.