Why is my computer restarting?

[spitz10]

I actually wouldnt be surprised if that was it, I will check through all my cables and see.

Thanks for the input.

 

[spitz10]

I posted an update on the main page. I also did look for shorts but didnt find anything.

 

[mushroom3]

did u try a different PS?

 

[Nathelion]

One foolproof way to check for software problems is to install linux. If it still reboots, it's definitely hardware. Also, if you run it from a livecd, you could test the hard drives as the source of problems.

That said, i don't think it's a software problem. I think it's something shorting out. Did you say it rebooted when you rattled it? Have you checked that there's no little pieces of metal or similar just lying around (maybe even behind the mobo, between it and the case) that could shortcircuit something? Did you build the system yourself or was it purchased whole?

I once had a problem with the system rebooting instantly after shutdown. Turned out I had connected one of those proprietary CD/DVD audie connectors (they have like 2 or 3 pins or something and they're small and grey and in no way necessary for the operation of the drive) to the wrong pins on the mobo, so somehow that rebooted the computer instantaneously after I shut it down. That's probably not your problem though. You're getting reboots while you're still running stuff.

Basically at this point if I were you I would take the system completely apart and clean it out (an inverted vacuum cleaner is better than canned air for cleaning out whole computer cases). Then just but in the mobo and CPU and test the memory sticks with memtest for a couple of hours each, and then together. If that works, gradually add component after component and keep running all the tests and taxing applications you can think of before adding a new component. Once it crashes, you should be able to tell where the problem is. Of course, chances are it's a PSU or mobo problem, but just in case. You could also get one of the better UPCs or at a minimum a voltage spike protector in case it's an external power issue. It really would help if you and a friend would switch PSUs for a week.

One last contingency: It might be your videocard, if it's not getting enough power it will lock up the system (this is an issue in my current system with an EVGA 6800GS Co with a factory overclock, it's a pain to get it to run stable even at the shipped speeds). I haven't ever experienced a reboot though. This would typically be more of a problem when you're running demanding games or such, so it's probably not your issue. But what video card are you running? Could it be overheating/not getting enough power/other similar issues?

 

[wgoldfarb]

Here are some ideas:

- You may try running the system outside of the case. Place the MoBo and all components (PSU, HDD, etc) outside of the case on top of a cardboard box, make sure there are no connections to the case (such as USB, Firewire, etc). If this resolves the problem either the MoBo is shorting out somewhere, or the case is somehow to blame.

- Is there a way you can move the computer to another location (outside of your home) for a few days, and try it there? That would rule out problems with the power in your home. Ideally it would be a location somewhat far from your home, to rule out any power problems in your neighborhood (I know you mentioned a second computer in the same home with no problems, but that does not mean the power in your home is good. It just means that the other PSU can handle whatever problem may exist, while the PSU in this system cannot).

- The only other thing I can think of is a bad MoBo. If all else fails, you may need to RMA the board.

Hope this helps!

EDIT: I just noticed you have already tested the system on different houses, so ignore that part of my post

 

[spitz10]

Thanks for all the help/info guys, I really appreciate it.

Just to be clear, here is what I have done/tried:

1. 2 different power supplies
2. 2 different video cards
3. Tested it in 3 different locations in substantially different parts of town
4. Ran Prime 95 for over 2 days
5. Ran Memtest for 1.5 days
6. swapped out power cords
7. checked for bad caps
8. Unplugged all "extra" cables from the motherboard except for power switch
9. Reformatted my hard drive
10. Tested my hard drive in a different computer
11. Tested memory sticks separately
12. Checked my cpu/case temps (33/35)
13. Disabled on-board sound
14. Changed dvd-rom drives

Other notes:

- it doesnt restart when i move/pick up/shake/rattle the case
- no blue screen pops up
- no error files


I am sure there are few other things I have tried, but this is all I can think of right now. I am essentially positive this is not a software issue. I thought it was a power supply problem, but I replaced that and it didnt fix anything. So to me, my only options left seem to be:

Replace motherboard

The weirdest thing about all of this continues to be the COMPLETE RANDOMNESS of the restarts. I cannot stress enough how random these restarts are. They can occur at any time - when programs are running, when programs arent running - and they can occur anywhere from 1 day apart, to two weeks apart.

So does anyone have any other ideas other than the motherboard??

 

[SparkyJJO]

At this pointit seems you've narrowed it down. You are totally running stock speeds, correct? Remember my post back on the first page? Well my problem wasn't the PSU (yes it did fail on me, but it wasn't the reason for my reboots), my problem was an ever so slightly unstable overclock.

If everything is stock, and everything checks out, then I would RMA the board to Asus. Call them, don't send them an email because they won't respond. But calling them is pretty pain-free, only thing is you are without your mobo for a little over a week.

 

[Nathelion]

Yep I'd say mobo as well. I can't imagine anything else, and it fits the symptoms. So motherboard RMA is it. Or new mobo, if your warranty is up.

 

[spitz10]

you bring up an interesting point Sparky.....the symptoms do kind of seem like the effects of an unstable, but i would have thought if that was the case, it would have failed either the memtest or prime95 tests.

I am almost certain I am running everything at stock speeds, and I do of course have the bios set to defaults. But is there any way my system could be overclocked despite the bios being set to default values? I say this because everytime I change out hardware, I get the "overclocking failed, pres F1 for setup or F2 for system defaults" message, and then if i just click F1 and dont even change anything, it boots up fine.

Could this mean anything?

 

[spitz10]

?

 

[Nathelion]

I have an ASUS board, and my experience is that whenever it fails to boot, it will say "overclocking failed yadayada". It tends to fail to boot randomly once in a great while. So the problem could be anything, it will still say it was due to OC.

 

[Nathelion]

I have an ASUS board, and my experience is that it will say "overclocking failed" whenever it doesn't boot correctly - which happens randomly once in a great while. So the error could be anything and it will still say it's the OC

 

[spitz10]

yea, I have a totally different system, with a different asus board, and i recall it saying that on quite a few different occasions, so it probably doesnt mean much