System randomly re-starting... What now?

[eskimo2]

I recently inherited a system: Athelon 1400, Windows ME

I didn't have the system long before 1.10 came out, but it ran well.
A bit after 1.10 came out, my system started randomly rebooting itself, even if no programs were running.  (It basically re-starts windows)

I can think of 3 possible problems and fixes:

1. Windows is corrupt and crashing - reload Windows

2. There is a setting in Windows that is telling it to reboot for some reason - find and fix that setting.

3. Power supply is fried - replace it.

What do you think is wrong?  
What else could be causing my problem?
What would you do, and where would you look first?

............................. ............................. ...................


Here's more on my system:

Windows Me (supporting multiple monitors, but I only have one hooked up... could that be a problem?)
Bare minimum programs installed:
I only run Systray, Explorer, Alisndmg and AH when playing

Cable modem (RoadRunner)
Netgear EN 104 tp hub (3 systems running through a hub)
Motorola external box/modem
(probably nothing to do with it as I just tested offline and still got CTDs)
CH products inputs running Speedkeys

AMD Athlon processor 1400MHz, K7AMA Release 05/15/2001
NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200

256 MB of RAM, 89% free
File system 32 bit
Virtual Memory 32 bit

Sec Slave drive ATAPI Incompatible (press F1 to resume, I gotta do this every time on start up.)

Thanks,
eskimo

[eskimo2]

P.S.
I've had tons of CTDs and a number of hard lock-ups, which is why I suspect that Windows may be corrupt.

eskimo

[SKurj]

bad hdd?


SKurj

[214thCavalier]

When mine was doing totally random restarts it was the power supply at fault.

[Hussein]

Check temperatures. Most likely reason.

[eskimo2]

What's hdd and how do I check temperatures?

Thanks,

eskimo

[eskimo2]

Bump,

Anyone?

eskimo

[fffreeze220]

Originally posted by eskimo2
Bump,

Anyone?

eskimo

Check ur reset button.
I had the same problem and my reset button on the case of my PC was stuck or close to it, just needed a litte shake and the button pressed itself.
If u are not able to see if it is stuck or not unplug the cable in the inside from the button out of the mainboard and  see if the resets are still coming.

hope that helps

[Aurelius]

Originally posted by eskimo2
I recently inherited a system: Athelon 1400, Windows ME

I didn't have the system long before 1.10 came out, but it ran well.
A bit after 1.10 came out, my system started randomly rebooting itself, even if no programs were running.  (It basically re-starts windows)

I can think of 3 possible problems and fixes:

1. Windows is corrupt and crashing - reload Windows

 Yes but do not put ME back on. Put Windows 98, 2000 or XP on it. See if the results are any different

2. There is a setting in Windows that is telling it to reboot for some reason - find and fix that setting.

No, there is not a setting that will tell windows to reboot or not to reboot in this situation.

3. Power supply is fried - replace it.

 Usually the cause of constant rebooting is not from the power supply but from a faulty motherboard. You should be able to obtain a diagnostic program from the manufacture that will test the board itself and let you know.

[airbull]

I have a had sim problom before. I could maybe play for a couple days then system suddenly reboot. It got worse as time went on. That turned out to be power supply.  I swopped parts from another system to find out.

You can get progs like Nortons utilities to check windows for faults couldnt belive the mess mine was in when I first ran it.

hdd = hard disk drive
If you dont have a system monitor prog running u can check most system temps by going into bios screen & usually theres a page with the stats on. (press delete as computer powers up)

[SpinDoc1]

Eskimo,

I had same problem, although mine restarted whenever I went to gun from the rear postions of bombers or drop bombs. I could fly any fighter I wanted but as soon as I depressed trigger in gun positions it restarted. I kept getting an error called MiniDump. I asked HT Support about it and they suggested a fix from Microsoft, but Windows itself had a major corruption thing going on. My best suggestion is to install windows XP. Save all your important files and then do a complete reformat and reinstall. Good luck!

Jason

[SpinDoc1]

Check this out...

http://www.hitechcreations.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=60421&referrerid=3559

Jason

[eskimo2]

Prolly no greater way to jinx myself than to post that its fixed too early...
But I think its fixed.
I replaced the power supply yesterday and the system is running smoothly.  Befor it would sometimes restart every couple of minutes, or sometimes after 10, 20 or 30 minutes, and every now and then it would run overnight without rebooting.

Well, I replaced the power supply about 12 hours ago and it has yet to reboot.

Thanks for all of the advice!

eskimo