I have a Compaq Presario W/ atlon proc.& winxp sp2. When I will be doing anything or sometimes nothing at all the computer will just reset itself. In other words it will turn off & turn back on. I will then have to put my password back in to get win to boot up. any suggestions?
shut down
- Thread starter renchr01
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The difficulty with this sort of problem is it can be caused by many things, hardware or software related - so often it is just trial and error.
Hardware wise, it could be caused by a faulty or dying PSU as most mobos reset when there is a power supply problem - also if the Mobo detects a RAM problem it will often reset.
You could try borrowing a PSU from a mate, and see if it makes a difference - also try re-seating your RAM , or try it in another slot - also as you indicated in your other thread that you need some more RAM, get that and try it.
Software wise I'm not really sure, but I hope others here might have some suggestions...
Hardware wise, it could be caused by a faulty or dying PSU as most mobos reset when there is a power supply problem - also if the Mobo detects a RAM problem it will often reset.
You could try borrowing a PSU from a mate, and see if it makes a difference - also try re-seating your RAM , or try it in another slot - also as you indicated in your other thread that you need some more RAM, get that and try it.
Software wise I'm not really sure, but I hope others here might have some suggestions...
then do as ady has said- Joined
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When your computer restarts itself, does it
1. Run CHKDSK and find errors?
2. Give option to run in normal or safe mode?
3. Goes directly back into OS (where password has to be entered if one is previously entered)
4. Show input peripherals (scanners, printers, external modems etc) still work in system hardware control panel...no yellow asterik thingys?
5. Search for drivers for 'new' hardware?
It is possible Xp is having dummy spit with your hardware setup, typical for this OS. Remove all extra hardware stuff (printers, modems, use one stick ram, sound card,video card-use onboard if it has one), disable extras inside bios (smartdrive, bios cache etc, select basic -not optimum-setup defaults if available), storeage drives, CD drives and similar and then see what happens.
Also try uninstalling applications that are running in the background for extra hardware you have installed and just recently removed if you have done the above stuff...make sure you have setup disks for the stuff you remove!
Basically have as much of a basic running sytem as possible.
You might find this internal link of help... Thread
If you try this angle, do post back
1. Run CHKDSK and find errors?
2. Give option to run in normal or safe mode?
3. Goes directly back into OS (where password has to be entered if one is previously entered)
4. Show input peripherals (scanners, printers, external modems etc) still work in system hardware control panel...no yellow asterik thingys?
5. Search for drivers for 'new' hardware?
It is possible Xp is having dummy spit with your hardware setup, typical for this OS. Remove all extra hardware stuff (printers, modems, use one stick ram, sound card,video card-use onboard if it has one), disable extras inside bios (smartdrive, bios cache etc, select basic -not optimum-setup defaults if available), storeage drives, CD drives and similar and then see what happens.
Also try uninstalling applications that are running in the background for extra hardware you have installed and just recently removed if you have done the above stuff...make sure you have setup disks for the stuff you remove!
Basically have as much of a basic running sytem as possible.
You might find this internal link of help... Thread
If you try this angle, do post back
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Yes you can use a higher power supply, and I would definately use one higher than 250w - go to this power supply calculator and see how much you need for your system, then add a bit more on top for headroom.
I would imagine you would be looking for at least 350w for your machine.
I would imagine you would be looking for at least 350w for your machine.
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compaqs used to have a small programe that was part of the bios on the hard drive partition that used to make pc's auto shut down when the programe had been deleted or corrupted, have you fdisked or re-formatted you hard drive? This used to happen on low spec pentiums so may now not be on more modern pc's???
Dont bother doing that. That calculator really isnt going to help the problem, instead you need to buy a good quality PSU around the 400w mark. Buying a random £15 600w psu will probabally end up being just as problematic as your current 250w one. Instead invest in a well known brand and look to spend around £40 upwards (i recommend Antec for price and performance), its definately worth it.
As its me said, do a virus scan. Its me, if your getting viruses on a weekly basis then you seriously need to consider an antivirus and a firewall. Or atleast stop with those moodly downloads because that really is awful statistics.
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