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General discussion

Computer Restarts Automatically

Jun 7, 2005 11:09AM PDT

My computer restarts automatically, especially when I am running MSN Messenger with the webcam on and when I am playing Guild Wars, a PC game. Any suggestions on what to do? This started about a week ago.
Specs
Athlon XP 3000+
512 MB RAM
180 GB hardrive space
Nvidia GeForce 4 MX440

Discussion is locked

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bump
Jun 7, 2005 12:20PM PDT

bump

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Standard Things to try
Jun 7, 2005 1:34PM PDT

HEAT - Take off the cover and blow a fan into the case, see if the problem goes away.
Look at your HSF and see if it is clogged with lint/dirt.

Are all the fans working in the case?
Is the fan on the Video card turning if it has one?

Check the PSU fan and see if it is turning.

Look at the capacitors on the mainboard. Any of the them leaking/bulging?

Tried installing new video drivers?

Looked for any spyware?
What antivirus are you running?

Go to MyComputer ICON right click it and go to Properties -> go to Advanced TAB -> under Startup and Recovery click on SETTINGS -> where it says System Failure uncheck Automatically restart.


This will give you a bsod if it is a software crash, might get some info and clues as to what is causing it.

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Thanks for your help
Jun 8, 2005 6:45AM PDT

Thanks, I'll try that.

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bsod?
Jun 8, 2005 6:46AM PDT

Can you tell me what bsod means?

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Never mind
Jun 8, 2005 6:47AM PDT

I found out what bsod means, but is the color always blue?

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(NT) (NT) I have only seen blue... but you never know
Jun 8, 2005 4:49PM PDT
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(NT) (NT) You can change the colour if you really want ;)
Jun 8, 2005 8:41PM PDT