Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Computer rebooting issue

Nov 5, 2012 2:48AM PST

About a year ago my PC that I built started to get blue screens and then random reboots. This had a ASUS AMD AM3 motherboard with integrated graphics (no card needed). 3 months ago I decided to switch motherboards after frustration with blue screens, reboots, and countless hours with phone support not working out. So I bought a ASrock board with a AM3+ and transferred all hardware to new board. I also had to purchase a separate video card as well. Thought that this would solve my PC issues but again the PC will randomly reboot or if I am playing games or video it will sometimes reboot. After speaking with more techs they said to replace the power supply so I did but it still reboots. I also gave my video card a stress test which pass with flying colors. I also had a tech look at the errors in a windows 7 screen that I never seen before and nothing really noticeable was there. So now I am thinking its my CPU but all the techs I have spoken with doubt that's the issue.

Anyone have suggestions what to try. I can't spend much money on a repair tech so rather do it myself.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
About that playing video.
Nov 5, 2012 2:56AM PST

I'm left to guess it's some web page video called FLASH. Let's not discuss that but please try an old fix. Type this into a web search and use the method you like.

DISABLE FLASH HARDWARE ACCELERATION.

That cures so many web video playbacks that it's not funny. Some games use FLASH for in game movies that it could help there as well.

To go any further I'd like to hear about your systems power supply, make and model as well as exactly how you installed Windows.
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
Since you keep mentioning ...
Nov 5, 2012 10:35AM PST

"playing games or video it will sometimes reboot."

Quite often such symptoms are caused by a insufficient power supply (thus the recommendation to "replace the power supply" - and I do hope the replacement was with a greater capacity) and if it isn't the power supply it is usually HEAT which will also cause spontaneous rebooting. The possibility of overheating is easy to check because all you have to do is remove the side of the case and direct a floor fan across the MB and other components. If this stops the re-booting then you get to discover the actual overheating element which will often be the video card or simply because someone forgot the thermal paste between the processor and the heatsink.

- Collapse -
Answer
have you tested the RAM?
Nov 5, 2012 12:13PM PST

I assume you have already tested this but i used to game with a kid who started getting blue screens often. He was able to fix the problem by replacing his RAM sticks. I am not at all qualified to answer these questions i only learn by experience. If what the guys above tell you don't fix your problem and you havent already tried it, maybe a RAM replacement is worth trying.

best of luck.