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Computer reboots?

My computer keeps rebooting when in use. it can last 20 minutes one day then 5 minutes the next time it happens. Power pack has been replaced but not solved the problem. After reboot it says computer reoverd from serious error. Have you got any ideas ??????
system is athlon 3500+, 1 gig dual core memory, 250gig hard drive with windows xp. I have formated the hard drive and reinstalled windows but its still happening. I think it must be a hardware issue. ???????

mike
March 2008

AMD AMD 3500+Computers, Desktop PCs 20 Minutes Day

At that point it has to be hardware issue. most likely the systembaord. You can run a check on you RAM, and CPU. but it both pass it is most likely the systembaord. You can try running an alternative live CD os like knoppix to see if the shutting down appears there too.

Brandon Moody
March 2008

It could be a system setting in the BIOS. If the processor has been overclocked which is quite common especially with the AMD's then it may be overheating and causing the system to crash. You could try using the basic/safe or stable system settings in the Bios. To access bios you usually press "Esc", "Del" or "F2" when you first turn your PC on. This should enter setup mode. Once you have done this scroll through the settings and find something along the lines of "Auto config use bios defaults" or "Use basic settings" depends on your BIOS version but it should be pretty straight forward. Once you've done this exit, saving settings and see how you get on. WARNING: if you are an inexperienced user I wouldn't recommend changing any other settings in the bios as these can cause other problems if you do it wrong. Good luck, hope this helps

Kelvin
March 2008

i had the same problem have you tried to clen the fan on you processor overhearts and shuts down so very carefully clean it you might find its full of dust

andrew
March 2008

Hi can't give you any difinative answers but maybe a few ideas.
you mentioned a power pack do you mean a power supply, if so that would be my first thought. does it last any longer if you just leave it on and do no work ? Reformatting the hard drive is ok but you may need to take it back further than that, most makers can supply progs that burn an iso file to a cd that will boot your system and then diagnose and possibly over write or destroy the format so you can really start again. Another idea might be to use the xp cd to boot up and then leave it at some point (don't click next somewhere) and see how long it stays running. might point you away from hard ware fault.

pierssy
March 2008