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Resolved Question

My computer restarts in a matter of seconds?!

Jun 24, 2012 7:35PM PDT

Hello, I am having a massive problem with my computer, the computer boots up for about 20 seconds without even accessing the OS and then shuts down. Please help!

Computer specs:
Motherboard: IBM
RAM: 2.75
CPU: Intel 3.2ghz dual core
Hard drive: 250gb IDE
PSU: 220 volts

Discussion is locked

Cheesecraker has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Clarification Request
More information needed as well as tell what
Jun 24, 2012 7:48PM PDT

you have done so far. Knowing the age of the PC, PS specs, video info, etc. would help. You said the MB is IBM so are you saying this is an IBM brand is this just to differentiate between Apple and IBM "clones"? As well, have you done the usual maintenance such as cleaning, checking fans? Does this happen in safe mode? Often you're dealing with an overheating or PS overload which are easily correctable.

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More...
Jun 24, 2012 7:53PM PDT

For starters I do know that the computer is well and truly 5 years old and is definitely not Apple, but the fans are clean, and this happens in safe mode aswell...

Best Answer

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Re: restart
Jun 24, 2012 7:59PM PDT

I had the (more or less) the same last week on a Dell netbook. It showed the Windows screen with the blue squares going from left to right, then the screen turned black and it rebooted. You don't tell enough details to see if it's exactly the same, so I wrote "more or less".

I solved it by
a) Doing a chkdsk /r from the recovery console.
b) Doing a repair install from the XP CD.

Worked wonderfully. All I lost was the SP3 update and some 100 others, which were easily redone. And my wiireless password (which I have written on note attached to my router). Much better than a clean install of the OS.

But it could be quite something else with you.

Kees

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My problem is even worse
Jun 24, 2012 8:05PM PDT

My computer can open the OS but even if I don't, the computer will shut down in around 10-20 seconds after pressing the power button. And is it possible that removing the substance on top off the CPU that sticks to the CPU fan is the problem?

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Try just interrupting the POST
Jun 25, 2012 1:04AM PDT

See if it does the same when you just bring up the BIOS display. If so, you've got a hardware problem. If hardware, it's likely an overheating or over current condition. You said the PSU is 220 volts but I'm wondering if you didn't mean watts. A weak power supply can do this. You troubleshoot by disconnecting everything but that which is essential for a successful POST (power-on-self-test). This means hard drives, add in cards (except video display), and CD/DVD devices get unplugged. You can also remove all but base RAM. If POST is successful, either one of the removed devices is faulty or the PS is too weak to power all of them. You mentioned the stuff between heatsink/fan which is the thermal paste. It is essential that the paste be there and applied properly. It's also essential that the heatsink sit flush on the surface of the CPU with even pressure at all mounts. Otherwise, it overheats quite quickly.

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That damn thermal paste
Jun 25, 2012 3:14PM PDT

I have tested using the CPU with the CPU fan removed and it turns out you were right the thermal paste is my only problem, because before that it worked fine until I removed it. So when I tested the CPU without the fan the CPU became volcanic in seconds. But I still have a little dilemma. I don't know where to get thermal paste?

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How about Amazon.com?
Jun 25, 2012 4:47PM PDT
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THANK YOU GUYS!
Jun 25, 2012 5:46PM PDT

My problem has been fixed! I went to a CNet branch nearby and bought myself some deep-cool Z5 thermal paste and the problem has been solved! Thank you for the help guys. I really appreciate it!