random reboot

[Tobmello]

I have a Dell 98 box, recently added a cd-rw burner. Don't know if this issue is related to the installation of the burner but (B)around (/B)that time I started experiencing random reboots on my machine. No rhyme or reason. In the middle of doing something the computer shuts down and then tries to boot into safe mode. Any ideas? Does this sound like a software or hardware issue? Could it be related to the cd burner or a bad power supply? Thanks

[griffinspc]

When you say doing something does that mean "any" app or when using your burner???

Doubt it's power supply but the burner's software may be the problem. To check hardware right click on My Computer / Properties / Device Manager and see if there is a yellow question mark next to your CD-ROM listing. If there is you have a hardware conflict and highlighting the offender and then clicking properties will bring up 3 tabs. This may tell you if it's an IRQ or other problem.

Try that and post back.

PS: I see you wanted bold for around. Use [ not ( for the enclosures.

[This message has been edited by griffinspc (edited 28 December 2000).]

[Tobmello]

Yeah I realized my html tag error a bit late

regarding the reboot issue, it happens whether I'm using the burner or not. Sometimes just surfing the net it shuts down, or if I walk away for a few minutes I come back and its rebooting. The burner itself is active (I can burn CDs on it just fine). I'm fairly close to installing w2k professional on this box. I didn't know if I needed to fix something on the machine before I install the new OS.

[griffinspc]

Well the way you said that it does sound like a possible overheating problem. Did installing the burner by any chance block the fan to the cpu or air to the power supply??

Did you have to move the cable and somehow it's interfering with the cpu fan rotating??

Stabs in the dark based on the fact that you didn't say whether you had any hardware conflicts.

[Tobmello]

So far, no luck on this griffin. I keep getting the random shutdown/restarts once or twice a day. It seems to occur after I've been on the computer for about 20-30 mins, so maybe it is a CPU overheating issue. I checked the cables on my new burner to make sure it isn't interfering with the airflow from the cpu fan etc. The only thing I notice each time the machine shuts down randomly is this: I hear a click, then the CD burner's light flashes on, then the machine shuts down. The burner doesn't have any CDs in it when the light comes on. I don't know if the light coming on right as its shutting down even means anything, maybe its "initializing" or something??

I just need a fix for this soon. I'm going to install win2k pro on the box and I want to fix the shutdown thing so I can get my machine running cleaner and more efficiently.
Thanks!!!!

[griffinspc]

Suggestion 1) Interesting, try running your box with NO CASE for a couple of days. That will insure complete air flow around the cpu, power supply and board. Leave it running with a screen saver so there is some activity.

Suggestion 2) Have you had any work (power company)recently in the neighborhood or do you get power flux from cold winter weather, etc. (Don't know where you live) maybe it's 105 degrees and you're getting brownouts from air conditioning.

3) Did your burner come with any add on software such as screen savers etc, that may be trying to launch on a schedule in the background??

I'll think about #4. Keep us posted.

[Tobmello]

I'll do the case thing...good tip.

I'm confused about why there would be an issue of the machine shutting down if an application or scheduled event is getting launched by my cd burner's software?? Why would that cause any problems?

Thanks!!

[lynnm]

I am afraid that I disagree with the suggestion about removing the case to increase air flow. The outer case is designed in fact to ensure proper air flow over the processor and other heat generating/sensitive components. If you are having overheating issues,(and it certainly seems possible),removing the case will aggravate the problem. A properly designed case will permit more than adequate air volumes to pass through its openings. In fact, I once cured an overheating problem in a PC by replacing 2 blinds that had somehow gone missing.

Be sure to utilize proper ESD precautions and general personal safety precautions before attempting the following checks

You might wish to make sure that in addition to being clean and spinning when the computer is powered up, that the fans are moving as much air as required. Processer fans in particular are prone to losing their ability to move sufficient air volume.

You can check this by gently applying pressure to center hub of the processer fan and/or to the vanes with the back of a finger nail. If the fan stops with almost no pressure being applied it should be replaced. Observe the speed of the processer fan also. It should be spinning at around 4000 - 4500 RPM which means that it should be visibly spinning "Like the Hammers of Hell."

Generally speaking a CPU fan should have a working life of anywhere from 1 - 3 years but many of them become ineffective in as little as a few months.

The fact that these issues ensued upon the installation of your new burner certainly points in the direction of the burner or its drivers - but don't rule out the possibility of a coincidental failure having occured that is unrelated to the burner.

I would also be inclined to check to see if any of your internal peripherals are generating unusual amounts of heat.

Most motherboards built in the last couple of years have CPU and circuit board thermal sensors incorporated into them. These sensors can be enabled through the CMOS and/or software utilities. If your computers does not include a specific utility to monitor these parameters you may be able to download the necessary utility from Dell's website or from a third party website,(assuming of course that the motherboard is suitably equipped). If such a facility is available post back with the model of your computer, the model of the CPU and any temperature readings that you have gotten.

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Please Folks! Whenever we post a reply to your question it is important that you let us know whether our advice was helpful.This way other users can determine whether the suggested fix worked or not.

It is meet to recall that the Great Green Heron rarely flies upside down in the moonlight.(Foo Ling ca.1206)

[This message has been edited by lynnm (edited 04 January 2001).]

[ALE52]

Pull the new burner out and see if the problem goes away. May have just been a coinsidence (SP?)

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ALE52

[griffinspc]

Very well stated advice from Lynn. I would agree with 90% of what she said however (and not to be picky, I assumed that the burner installation may have disrupted the airflow so removing the case would alleviate that possibility.

I have used that method, removing the case, in one diagnostic endeavor and with proper air circulation, not stuffed in an overblown piece of computer furniture, was able to isolate a heating problem. Maybe I've been lucky.

Thanks though Lynn, I never mind learning something that may save me down the road.

[lynnm]

Hello dere griffinspc

Thanks for the warm and fuzzies - (matches my beard)

------------------
Please Folks! Whenever we post a reply to your question it is important that you let us know whether our advice was helpful.This way other users can determine whether the suggested fix worked or not.

It is meet to recall that the Great Green Heron rarely flies upside down in the moonlight.(Foo Ling ca.1206)

[griffinspc]

Beard, did you say beard?? I assume that means it's Mr. Lynn M.

Oh do I feel foolish. I guess I better give you something else then to identify with. How's this <IMG SRC="http://home.att.net/~candacespc/achilly.gif" border=0>

[lynnm]

No offense taken

------------------
Please Folks! Whenever we post a reply to your question it is important that you let us know whether our advice was helpful.This way other users can determine whether the suggested fix worked or not.

It is meet to recall that the Great Green Heron rarely flies upside down in the moonlight.(Foo Ling ca.1206)

[DaveA7th]

If you originally bought a case with a cheap power supply, you might want to replace the power supply. Go with a 300 watt minimum (IMHO).

Also, some viruses can do strange things to a system. You might want to first scan your system for a virus if you haven't already.

Good luck

Dave

[MarkyBoyZ1300]

It`s probably not want you want to hear but my server (win2000)was shutting itself down at random,it would happen 3/4 times a day everyday and particularly when i done a back up.
It turned out to be a problem with the tape backup drive (ait) and the motherboard not being compatible with eachother.
I replaced the motherboard and no more problems.
It took my suppliers (Dan tech) nearly 6 months to figure out what was wrong.
Have a good day. Administrator@Valentines-high.org.uk