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General discussion

Computer randomly reboots.

Feb 25, 2004 1:27PM PST

PREWARNING: VERY LONG POST!!!

My problem as it stands is: My computer randomly reboots when utilizing graphics intensive programs. For example: games such as EverQuest, Final Fantasy XI, Quake III and programs such as Adobe ImageReady CS. I can't seem to establish any patterns between the crashes aside from they all seem to happen in graphics intensive programs (although ImageReady CS doesn't seem to be too graphically intensive to me).

For a while, after a random restart, I would get an error saying my system has recovered from a serious error. Now I don't even get that. I just hang up on the "Welcome" screen in XP and have to ctrl+alt+del.

When I first had a problem, I also had a problem that seems to be pretty common on the internet - My HD kep crashing and getting write errors to $Mft. So, I took the HD back (before I read about the problem) and it happened on the new hard drive. So, I called my friend and asked to borrow his XP SP1 CD to see if it might have some better effect on the situation than mine (my other friend suggested that it might have some problems copying certain files). When I reformatted and reinstalled with my friends version of XP SP1, I seemed to have no problems at all. No $Mft. Nothing. I upraded my motherboard drivers (including IDE bus/onboard sound/AGP driver), video drivers, directx. Still no problems. Then about 2 weeks after this, I started crashing randomly. I've scanned my computer multiple times for adaware/virus' and nothing has come up, so it's not that.

I've tried reformatting a few times and the same thing ends up happening in the end.

I somewhat think its a complication between my video card and my motherboard versus my version of windows XP, and this is why:

The odd thing is, if I plug in my old Hard drive (which I used with my new SAPHIRE RADEON 9700 for a little while before replacing it with a new one), I have no problems whatsoever. My computer is completely stable asside from the fact that the hard drive is slow. I replaced my video card about 3 months ago when my old GeForce went out. I used it with that old hard drive for a while with no problem. Then I got a new hard drive to give my computer a new kick -- and now I have nothing but problems.

Honestly I have no idea what is wrong. Formatting doesn't seem to do anything so im confused as to what could be the problem. Below I am going to attach a complete list of my computer specs so hopefully someone can help me out with the problem. In advance, THANK YOU very much for helping. This problem has been frustrating me forever.

--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 1
Internet Explorer 6.0.2800.1106 (IE 6.0 SP1)
Computer Name PHASES00
User Name phaseshifter
Logon Domain PHASES00

Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1150 MHz (5.75 x 200)
Motherboard Name Soyo K7VDA/K7VX DRAGON(+)
Motherboard Chipset VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A
System Memory 1024 MB (DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Modular (11/13/01)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter RADEON 9700 PRO - Secondary (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9700 PRO (128 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9700 Pro (R300)
Monitor Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (MONITOR)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter C-Media CMI8738 Audio Chip

Storage:
Disk Drive IC35L120AVV207-1 (123 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/100)
Disk Drive Maxtor 6Y160P0 (160 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Disk Drive WDC WD1000BB-00CCB0
Optical Drive LITE-ON LTR-16101B (16x/10x/40x CD-RW)

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 117789 MB (99667 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 95393 MB (19148 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 156327 MB (10335 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse HID-compliant MX500 Optical Mouse

Network:
Primary IP Address 192.168.1.101
Primary MAC Address 00-50-2C-01-2E-D1
Network Adapter VIA PCI 10/100Mb Fast Ethernet Adapter (192.168.1.101)

Peripherals:
USB Device Logitech USB MX500 Optical Mouse

Problems & Suggestions:
Problem Disk free space is only 7% on drive E:.


--------[ DMI ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Award Software International, Inc.
Version 6.00 PG
Release Date 11/13/2001
Size 256 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB

[ System ]

System Properties:
Manufacturer VIA Technologies, Inc.
Product VT8366-8233
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Product VT8366-8233

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Chassis Type Desktop Case

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method None
Error Correction None
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 4-Way
Supported Memory Speeds 70ns, 60ns
Supported Memory Types SPM, EDO
Supported Memory Voltages 5V
Maximum Memory Module Size 32 MB
Memory Slots 3

[ Processors / AMD Athlon(tm) ]

Processor Properties:
Manufacturer AMD
Version AMD Athlon(tm)
External Clock 100 MHz
Maximum Clock 1500 MHz
Current Clock 1150 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 3.3 V
Status Enabled
Upgrade ZIF
Socket Designation Socket A

[ Caches / Internal Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type Internal
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Maximum Size 128 KB
Installed Size 128 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation Internal Cache

[ Caches / External Cache ]

Cache Properties:
Type External
Status Enabled
Operational Mode Write-Back
Maximum Size 256 KB
Installed Size 256 KB
Supported SRAM Type Synchronous
Current SRAM Type Synchronous
Socket Designation External Cache

[ Memory Modules / A0 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A0
Speed 60 ns
Installed Size 1024 MB
Enabled Size 1024 MB

[ Memory Modules / A1 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A1
Speed 60 ns
Installed Size 1024 MB
Enabled Size 1024 MB

[ Memory Modules / A2 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Socket Designation A2
Speed 60 ns
Installed Size Not Installed
Enabled Size Not Installed

[ Memory Devices / A0 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 1024 MB
Device Locator A0
Bank Locator Bank0/1

[ Memory Devices / A1 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Size 1024 MB
Device Locator A1
Bank Locator Bank2/3

[ Memory Devices / A2 ]

Memory Device Properties:
Form Factor DIMM
Device Locator A2
Bank Locator Bank4/5

[ System Slots / PCI0 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI0
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI1 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI1
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI2 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI2
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / PCI3 ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation PCI3
Type PCI
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ System Slots / AGP ]

System Slot Properties:
Slot Designation AGP
Type AGP
Usage Empty
Data Bus Width 32-bit
Length Long

[ Port Connectors / PRIMARY IDE ]

Port Connector Properties:
Internal Reference Designator PRIMARY IDE
Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE
External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / SECONDARY IDE ]

Port Connector Properties:
Internal Reference Designator SECONDARY IDE
Internal Connector Type On-Board IDE
External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / FDD ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type 8251 FIFO Compatible
Internal Reference Designator FDD
Internal Connector Type On-Board Floppy
External Connector Type None

[ Port Connectors / COM1 ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Serial Port 16450 Compatible
Internal Reference Designator COM1
Internal Connector Type 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Connector Type DB-9 pin male

[ Port Connectors / COM2 ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Serial Port 16450 Compatible
Internal Reference Designator COM2
Internal Connector Type 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Connector Type DB-9 pin male

[ Port Connectors / LPT1 ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Parallel Port ECP/EPP
Internal Reference Designator LPT1
Internal Connector Type DB-25 pin female
External Connector Type DB-25 pin female

[ Port Connectors / Keyboard ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Keyboard Port
Internal Reference Designator Keyboard
Internal Connector Type PS/2
External Connector Type PS/2

[ Port Connectors / PS/2 Mouse ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type Mouse Port
Internal Reference Designator PS/2 Mouse
Internal Connector Type PS/2
External Connector Type PS/2

[ Port Connectors / USB ]

Port Connector Properties:
Port Type USB
Internal Reference Designator USB
Internal Connector Type None


--------[ Sensor ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type ITE IT8705F
Sensor Access ISA 290h

Temperatures:
Motherboard 33

Discussion is locked

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Re:Computer randomly reboots.
Feb 25, 2004 1:29PM PST

ah my message got cut, if you want to see a full report of my comp post here. I'll work on getting a place on the web for it so you can check it out. thanks.

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Re:Computer randomly reboots.
Feb 25, 2004 1:37PM PST
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Where's the power.
Feb 25, 2004 8:10PM PST

I'm not going to write much about it.

You'll fit a 450 or larger Watt PSU, leave the cover off, point a fan at the machine and retest.

The machine's BIOS and FLASH for motherboard, CD/DVD drives shall be up to date and if IDE cables are fitted, then all drives will use 80 conductor cables with the jumpers set to CS.

Many get stuck in a slight overtaxed power supply issue and fight it while I agree that might not be it, the brutal wieght of hundreds of power supplies in the back room has me wondering what to do about that. Light reading on the power subject.
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20040122/

And if you think your 400 Watt PSU puts out 400 Watts, read http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/

After any BIOS, Flash, Power Issues and using just ONE STICK OF RAM, we move to drivers.

If the copy of the OS works on one hard disk, use GHOST to put it on the new hard disk.

Bob

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What does it say about the ''Event''???
Feb 25, 2004 9:09PM PST

The article [Q308427] states that an "event" is any significant occurrence in the system or in a program that requires users to be notified or an entry be added to one of three logs. The Event Log Service records application, security, and system events in Event Viewer. With the event logs in Event Viewer, users can obtain information about hardware, software, and system components, and monitor security events on a local or remote computer. Event logs can help identify and diagnose the source of current system problems, or help predict potential system problems.

Bill Gaston

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Re:What does it say about the ''Event''???
Feb 26, 2004 4:31AM PST
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Re:Computer randomly reboots.
Feb 26, 2004 4:59AM PST

I just downloaded the new version of my 4in1 hyperion drivers: v4.51Pro.

and I also downloded the new ATI Catalyst 4.2 drivers. Hopefully that will help some.

this is an example of the error code I get when it says my system has recovered from a serious error:

BCCode : 100000be BCP1 : ECCE3000 BCP2 : E19B3100 BCP3 : BA68EA5C
BCP4 : 0000000F OSVer : 5_1_2600 SP : 1_0 Product : 256_1

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Re:Re:Computer randomly reboots.
Feb 26, 2004 5:38AM PST

hm. comp just rebooted again while playing quake3. guess the new drivers didn't help. i will look into getting a new power supply.

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Re:Re:Re:Computer randomly reboots.
Feb 26, 2004 8:10AM PST

just got a bsod:

0x0000000A(0x00000004, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x804EFB93)

and then another:

0x0000000A(0xC0051045, 0x00000002, 0x00000001, 0x804EC88D)

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File Corruption
Feb 8, 2006 10:42PM PST

I copied and pasted a couple of your error messages in google and read what Microsoft said the problem was. I see possible Kernel/File corruption problems.
I would put the Windows CD, do not let Autostart run just camcel out of it. Click Start -> Run -> type CMD. Once the Command prompt screen opens up, type sfc /scannow note there is a space between sfc and /. This may take some time and you might have to sit there telling the program to continue. But it will replace any corrupted system files with correct files off the install CD. You should not lose any data doing this, but it is windows.
More information on the SFC command can be found here: http://www.computerhope.com/sfc.htm#01. If that doesn't help try doing a repair install of windows XP.

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Hardware Issue
Feb 8, 2006 1:36AM PST

I would download a free Benchmark tool. Go to www.majorgeeks.com and look into getting a Benchmark tool, Burn In tool, or a CPU stress tester, RAM tester. The idea is to find a tool that will load test your CPU, RAM, Video card ect.
If it blue screened playing Doom I suspect CPU or Graphics card.
Does this machine only reboot when under a load like gaming, or even running a full virus scan?

Just an idea good luck

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Ignore Software
Mar 3, 2006 12:34PM PST

I've had this problem on two of the computers I repaired. When CPUs overheat, a computer will either freeze(funny how a computer freezes from overheat)or it will restart. In the first computer I repaired, it restarted, and the second one just froze.
Your problem is obviously due to CPU over heat because it freezes at critical processor times(video games kick your computer's back panel). Another clue to the overheat is the computer restarting during boot-up.To understand the problem we first must understand heat and CPUs.
"CPUs" or "processors" are designed with a fan and a heat sink(the wierd block of metal under the fan) clamped against the processor to prevent overheating and damage to the processor(without this the processor
would fry in a couple seconds). The heat moves from the processor to the heat sink and from the heat sink to the air in your computer's case. If the heat sink is not properly held against the processor, the processor will overheat.
What you do now is check that the heatsink and fan are properly connected to the processor. Make sure that the connection is firm also. If the heat sink wiggles a bit when gently shaken, you have a problem.
A fix may be as simple as putting a clamp that came undone back on the processor, but you may run into more trouble. If the clamp is broken, try an alternative to the clamp because replacements are almost impossible to obtain. A tie-wrap fixed the first computer. On the second one, a piece of plastic that connects the heat sink to the processor's socket(where the processor sits. It's soldered to the motherboard) broke (the piece of plastic was on the socket). In this case I fixed the problem with Krazy Glue.
Remember anything that can save you a new motherboard is worth a try. Be creative.

e-mail me your results/response dat_matt@hotmail.com