1.

Solve : Computer randomly resets.?

Answer»

I am trying to resolve a client his PC problem. When the mouse is moved, the computer restarts.

However, if you keep the PC busy by running a virus or spyware scanner or work inside a program and keep it running it will not reset. It will reset when the mouse is left alone for APPROXIMATELY 5 minutes and is then moved. The AMOUNT of time varies.

I have done the following (And will retry them again now that I can work at my office)


  • Removed uneccessary hardware. Apart from HDD/RAM/Mobo/PSU/VC
  • Scanned for Spyware and removed what was found (Spybot S&D 1.3, horribly outdated.)
  • Swapped RAM sticks
  • Loaded in safe mode (Same thing happened)
  • Reconfigured the power saving settings
  • Reconfigured BIOS and loaded setup defaults


It concerns a:

  • Headstart PC
  • Intel Inside Pentium III
  • 256MB RAM
  • 40GB Fireball HDD
  • 32MB Aopen AGP card.
  • MS mainboard.
  • Windows ME


I can give more information if required. Does anyone have any suggestions apart from reformatting? This is not an option.

What I noticed is that the PC seems to reset when I move the mouse after a brief amount of time if the PC is not kept busy.

S.M.A.R.T tells the HDD status is O.K.How long has this problem been going on? Have you scanned for other types of malware with up-to-date scanners?
USB or serial mouse? mouse drivers up-to-date? Quote

1. How long has this problem been going on?
2 Have you scanned for other types of malware with up-to-date scanners?
3. USB or serial mouse?
4. mouse drivers up-to-date?


1. 14 days ago it first started. But according to the user, no serious changes apart from removing and receiving E-mail have taken place.
2. No. I intend on doing that once I can free up a cable here
3. Serial.
4. Standard Windows ME drivers, me thinks.

What has recently taken place is that there was another printer connected. (+/- 3 months ago) The POWERGRID was allready overloaded with devices, I now connected it to a power grid with basically no load but the computer itself and it continues to function properly. It has not reset yet.

I think this is a power problem.Try to check for virus again:
Remove all devices except the hard drive and video card. in the bios, disable power management/atapi. as soon as you can get it into safe mode, start running virus scans. also start disabling various xp services.

P.S. It always happens after 5 min break?Raptor:
is there any way to connect a USB mouse?
let us know how the malware scans turn out, okay?The computer has been connected and has not reset it SELF for over an hour even with all devices connected. My client had a lot of devices connected to only two wall sockets.

It seems to function very well here. Virus scanner installed is Norton 2003 and has the latest updates according to my client. I scanned and nothing was found.

The problem seems DIY hardware related.  Then tell your client to use more outlets!!! Will do.  

First I have to make certain that that truly is the problem and that the computer remains stable.Device manager reports!msifo32 reports..........some winme system i dont have s.m.a.r.t on mine.......


Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions