Random Reboots on a Windows 8.1 Custom Build
2014-07
kehmoto1
I have a Windows 8.1 custom PC that I built about 6 months ago. It worked great for several months with no problems, but about three months ago it started to reboot randomly.
My computer works fine for about twenty or thirty minutes, but then the screen will go black and the computer will restart. After the first reboot, my computer will restart before reaching the Windows loading screen and will keep restarting until I turn it off. If I turn it off and wait twenty minutes before turning it back on, my computer will run normally but after twenty minutes it restarts and everything starts all over again.
I noticed the computer only reboots when its running in Windows. I ran the computer in BIOS for several hours and it didn't reboot. I also noticed that sometimes it won't reboot if I just let my computer sit idle in Windows, but it always reboots when I run a program or app, even if the app isn't resource heavy.
Components:
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0
CPU: AMD FX-8320 Eight-Core
Memory: Corsair XMS 3 DDR3 RAM (2 Sticks, 4GB each)
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon R9 270
Hard Drive: Hitachi HDS721050CLA362 500GB
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast Series TX650M (650W)
Optical Drive: DVD/CD-ROM Combo Drive
Case: Corsair 500R
I've done a few things to figure out what's wrong. I ran Memtest86+ to check my RAM, and it passed with no errors. I also monitored my CPU's usage, load and temperature using Task Manager and CoreTemp, and everything was normal right before the computer restarted. My CPU temperature was normal, always near 30°C to 39/40°C (the maximum temperature for my processor is 90°C) and the load was at most about 30%, so I don't think my CPU is the problem.
I ordered a psu tester to check my power supply. If the PSU is fine, then I might send my motherboard in for an RMA. I also thought about testing my hard drive, or running Prime95 but I haven't yet since my computer won't stay on for more than 30 minutes.
Does anyone have an idea what the problem is? Can I do anything else to test my computer?
DWilliams
I don't normally deal with Windows but someone wanted me to fix their computer with Windows XP on it. It was just restarting every time it tried to boot. It would not go into safe mode, the result was the same regardless of the selected mode.
The computer is like 4 years old and has been running the same installation for that entire time, so I figured the easiest solution was just to back up their files and re-install. I loaded the computer up with a live CD and copied their files off to a USB drive, then proceeded to run HP's "factory restore" feature (which I'm not particularly fond of, I'd rather have a disk to install from than reload all the crapware HP gets paid to install for you). It restored, and I put all their files back, installed their programs, and started the full windows update process. Everything seemed great so I left and told them what to do once it finished.
A few hours pass, and my phone rings. Apparently it started doing the exact same thing as before once the updates finished.
I don't have the computer sitting in front of me now so I can't really provide any more information than that.
What could be causing this and, more importantly, how do I fix it? The fact that the same problem resurfaced after the restore makes me think it's either a hardware problem or an update breaking the computer.
it's either a hardware problem
If that's the case, i'd first re-seat all components, clean the fan and heatsink (overheating can be an issue) and then run Memtest86+ and a hard disk check with HD Tune.
or an update breaking the computer.
There is that possibility, since the "factory restore" may include some outdated drivers. The event log is always a good place to start your investigation in this direction.