Computer reboots for no reason...

[LanEvoVI]

I'm building a new computer for my roomate and it keeps randomly rebooting. Sometimes it loads all the way into Windows and runs fine for a while. Then it just automatically shuts down (goes through the whole process where it actually shuts down Windows first and sometimes it just powers off w/o any of that.) I'm convinced the computer is possessed. I took out all the cards except for the video card and it still randomly shutdown by itself. Any one out there have any clues for me? Here are the specs on it:

AMD Athlon XP 1700+ w/ the Retail Heat sink (temps are steady at about 45C at full load)
MAXTOP 147KG2F-USB w/ 350 AMD approved PSU
256 MB Micron PC2100 DDR Ram
Gainward Geforce2 Ti 450
Epox 8KHA+ KT266
Creative Soundblaster Live! 5.1 Value
16X Lite-on DVD-ROM
8x Iomega CD-RW
Western Digital 13 GB 7200 RPM
Maxtor 20 GB 5400RPM
Intel 10/100 NIC

There's no need to duplicate this post in 3 separate forums. Your problem is answered in the FAQ linked below.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[Maggotry]

Also unplug all of those IDE devices. Just have 1 stick o' RAM, CPU, Vid, HD with O/S on it. Nothing more. Try that. If that doesn't work, try booting into Safe Mode. If that doesn't work, boot to a floppy.

 

[Yossarian]

Allow me to pass along some useful info that helped me out yesterday:

Tech Support FAQ

 

[LanEvoVI]

Ok...I've tried removing everything (except ram, video card, and the one hard drive w/ the OS on it) and disabling auto-reboot as the FAQ suggests...but still getting the same problem.

Gonna try taking the motherboard out and in to make sure there are not shorts anywhere...hopefully this works...

 

[underpaid]

I'd try swapping your power supply.

 

[CraigRT]

My friend is having that exact same problem with an MSI K7T266Pro2 mob!!!!!
we tried swapping PSU, no go, we tried moving the RAM, same deal (only have 1 stick - PC2100 Crucial)
and we tried removing all the peripherals and windows still sporatically reboots, sometimes while booting, and sometimes 5 mins after booting.. fresh Win2K install as of less than a month ago too, he came to his computer one day and it had restarted itself and was back up and running with the screen resolution set to 640 and all the drivers were gone...hasn't worked since..it was working perfect for a month.

we are out of ideas, except for trying ANOTHER fresh install.

 

[Dan]

Good Lord, LanEvoVI ,how many forums did you post this in?

As I noted in one of your other threads, here are four suggestions:

1. Flash the latest mobo bios.
2. Try your RAM in a different slot.
3. Try different RAM.
4. Try a different power supply.