Computer reboots every few minutes

[machu]

Couple of days ago I gave my father my old PC with BX6 and PII 300 @450. For a couple of days everything worked great but now PC reboots every 1-3 minutes (after it moved to a different room).
Over the phone I guided my father how to change the speed to 300Mhz. After a few tries he changed it to 300Mhz and it still happens. I told him to take the cover off, but it didn't help either. I would say it is a PSU that is crapping out, but I'm not sure. What do yo guys think?
BTW, after changing settings in the BIOS setup, he now gets a message "CPU unworkable or changed settings" press F1 to continue. When he presses F1 windows boot OK.
It's been 2 years since I used this PC so I don't remember how to get rid of this message (and I'm affraid to tell my father to take out the batterry from the motherboard).

 

[ilyack]

Why would you want to take the motherboard battery out ?
To clear the CMOS settings ?
Isn't there a jumper on the motherboard for that ?
Most of them have a special jumper that you can use to clear CMOS.

Other than that - I would suspect some severe overheating. But if you're saying the cover is off, there should be enough air flow.

Check if the CPU heatsink is clogged with dust. That might easily ba causing it to overheat.

Or maybe there is a loose connection somewhere. Like the cable that connects the Power Supply to the Motherboard.

It's unlikely of course, since noone has been playing with it.

Hope you find the reason.
Ilya.

 

[MrEgo]

I would say it reboots because the processor is overheating. Even if you changed the speed back to 300mhz, its probably still overvolted right? Voltage is the main reason for heat. Try setting that back to default values..whatever that may be. If you want to get rid of that message when the computer boots up, the just go into the BIOS by pressing delete or whatever key it is, and just hit F10 and hit enter to save the changes. That SHOULD get rid of that message.