PC Rebooting Under Some Load

[Poontos]

I have had this setup with rock solid reliability since October 2001:

Epox 8KHA+ (Same BIOS since the fall, Jan 08/2002)
T-Bird 1.4 @ 1533 via 11.5x @ 133Mhz (v.core 1.750) (Vdimm @ 2.60)
x256MB Crucial PC2100
WD 80GB 8MB
IBM 40GB 60GXP
Asus V7100 32MB Vid
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
etc...

A new variable... a pretty warm basement room. I had not encountered any reliability problems in the past, so I have not been even monitoring temps for this PC for at least 7 months now. In the past though, I recall them being much less.

Boot up Sys Temp: 30C
Boot up CPU Temp: 47C

Since I setup my new WD HD, I re-partitioned everything and installed Win2K Pro from scratch with SP3. I did not run any burn-in software, since I had never had problems before. Although, I have only encountered this touchy unreliability since I moved to school here in this basement and it has been very hot the last week or so.

So I was just in the process of setting things backup and installed AVG A-V and decided to a do a full scan. About 3-4mins in, the system just rebooted. No error messages. So I thought it was AVG, so I uninstalled it and installed NAV2002 and the exact same thing happened -- reboot after a couple of minutes in. So...

1.) Anyway I can track it down to specifically being a heat issue? How are my temps?

2.) How can I discount it from being an OS w/ SP3 issue? Anyone know how to analyze Win2k mini-dumps?

3.) Any suggestions? Leave the case open with a fan blowing on it? Leave my PC off until the first snowfall? (Umm, class starts tomorrow and I need the friggin PC, so that ain't gonna work).

4.) Could it be the VIA 4-in-1's? Which would be the best to run with my setup? (I think I have 440v(a)p3 installed).

Any more info needed, please let me know.


Thank you!

Update: I have brought CPU clock speed to default 1.4 and disabled auto rebooting during a lockup. The last two reboots with auto reboot disabled, I was not presented with a BSOD, just a reboot.

 

[GT1999]

It could very well be heat related, which could mean pretty much any of the components might be overheating. Your CPU temps however, if correct, are fine.

What kind of power supply are you using? Let us know

Check your volts and let us know what you're getting; you can use a program like Motherboard Monitor.

 

[Poontos]

GT,

Antec SX1040 case, w/ 400W Antec PS

Core 0 = 1.79
Core 1 = 0.02

+3.3 = 1.52V
+5.00 = 4.95V
+12.00 = 11.98V
-12.00 = 2.12V
-5.00 = 0.69V

Fan 1 = 7336RPM (CPU Fan)
Fan 2 = 2934 (not sure)

Thank you...

 

[Mcard]

poontos your voltages are awfully low on your
+3.3 volt rail I think either your power supply is bad or motherboard 1.79 volts on the +3.3 rail i'm surprised it even boots up. I had this same problem computer would boot sometimes and other times would reboot got a new motherboard and all problems were solved also could be power supply you can take it to a shop and have it tested.

 

[Mcard]

excuse 1.52 volts on the +3.3 rail

 

[DainB]

I have a similar problem with an AXP 1800(1533 mhz) and an Antec 400W. I might try replacing the power supply soon. My processor runs about 50c under load, kinda hot but still in spec and I've pointed a house fan at the board for the time being. That lowered temps to 43c so it still happens, don't think the problem is heat related. I've also backed down memory timings and reinstalled all the drivers so I'm now leaning towards PSU. Can't remember what the voltages are(not there now) but I wouldn't be surprised if they're out of spec.

This is on an Asus A7N266-C, nForce board. So I don't think it's a VIA issue.

 

[Poontos]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I did another test with some more heat disipation with a fan blowing on the system. I was able to run the same app doing the same function and the system did not reboot, so I am thinking a heat issue.

I just cannot believe how sensitive the system is to heat, especially when the room is not deadly hot by any means, although you WILL perspire after awile.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Engineer]

It could be capacitors going bad on your board or in your power supply. I've got a board that ran fine for 6 months...and suddenly started rebooting. I thought it was the ram at first, as I replaced it with a "SMALLER" stick and it ran OK again...but it also started to reboot randomly...and at quicker and quicker intervals. After inspecting the caps on the board, I've discovered a few that are swelling at the top....

I'll replace them soon and see if that fixes the problem....I bet it does.

Anyway, if your caps. are starting to swell, you may have a long term problem that the fan may mask (cooling) for a short time...

Good Luck.