[happyrock]

have you noticed the crashes while running a particular program like running photoshop...
if not and they are completely random lets make sure its not your memory going bad...get memtest + here....
the lowdown is here..
get the 2nd one down and burn the ISO file to a cd and then boot it from the cd drive...

if you don't have a burning program that will burn .ISO files go here and get burncdcc ..a small FAST no frills iso burning program...

NOTE...do not put a blank cd in until burncdcc opens the tray for you
1. Start by clicking on BurnCDCC.exe
2. Browse to the ISO file you want to burn on cd/dvd ....in this case its memtest86.iso
3. Select the ISO file
4. click on Start

make sure in the bios the cd drive is the first boot device....put the cd in the cd drive..boot your computer....
let memtest run for at least 3 hours...if it starts showing any errors during that time then you will have to replace the RAM...no errors after 3 hours just press Esc to end the tests and we will try some other tests..

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Could also be a HD issue.
Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, try the Hitachi DFT CD Image version of the software

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[rshaffer61]

Could also be a HD issue.
Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, try the Hitachi DFT CD Image version of the software

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[LiamB]

Good morning rshaffer61 and happyrock.



Looks like a days work to carefully go thro’ and complete these recommendations. Thanks, will do and will get back ASAP.



Aside from this, I’m curious as to why the Event Viewed is not used to specify what was the source of the command to commence restart. Is it that the command always looks like I pressed the “restart” button?



LiamB

[rshaffer61]

I was thinking about that and wanted to ask if you have windows updates scheduled to run and install on their own?

[LiamB]

Hi. Just as I opened your response in G2G to read it, I have an unrequested restart!

Yes, I do have automatic updates switched on. On arrival, the updates wait for the command to shutdown, alert me as to their presence and advise that the system will shutdown after it has completed the update. LiamB

[LiamB]

Hi happyrock. Thanks for your advice. Not having much luck with the memory test.....
1) Tried to download the guide, couldn't access the link.
2) Downloaded the burncdcc zipped file and extracted the files. Tried to run the ISO application (no *.exe file visable) and got a nearly blank box with the busy symbol. Waited but nothing happened. Tried many times. No luck. Not sure if I am doing the right thing. LiamB

[rshaffer61]

If you have more than one RAM module installed, try starting computer with one RAM stick at a time.

NOTE Keep in mind, the manual check listed above is always superior to the software check, listed below. DO NOT proceed with memtest, if you can go with option A

B. If you have only one RAM stick installed...
...run memtest...

1. Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)
2. Unzip downloaded memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip file.
3. Inside, you'll find memtest86+-2.11.iso file.
4. Download, and install ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/
5. Insert blank CD into your CD drive.
6. Open ImgBurn, and click on Write image file to disc
7. Click on Browse for a file... icon:



8. Locate memtest86+-2.11.iso file, and click Open button.
9. Click on ImgBurn green arrow to start burning bootable memtest86 CD:



10. Once the CD is created, boot from it, and memtest will automatically start to run. You may have to change the boot sequence in your BIOS to make it work right.

To change Boot Sequence in your BIOS

Reboot the system and at the first post screen (where it is counting up memory) start tapping the DEL button
This will enter you into the Bios\Cmos area.
Find the Advanced area and click Enter
Look for Boot Sequence or Boot Options and highlight that click Enter
Now highlight the first drive and follow the directions on the bottom of the screen on how to modify it and change it to CDrom.
Change the second drive to the C or Main Drive
Once that is done then click F10 to Save and Exit
You will prompted to enter Y to verify Save and Exit. Click Y and the system will now reboot with the new settings.


The running program will look something like this depending on the size and number of ram modules installed:




It's recommended to run 5-6 passes. Each pass contains very same 8 tests.

This will show the progress of the test. It can take a while. Be patient, or leave it running overnight.



The following image is the test results area:



The most important item here is the “errors” line. If you see ANY errors, even one, most likely, you have bad RAM.

[rshaffer61]

Are you still having problems with your issue?
It has been 20 days since your last response and I was wondering if the issue has been resolved?
If so can you explain how it was resolved so others may be able to fix it if they have the same issue.
If not please let us know and we can continue with helping you to resolve the issue.

[LiamB]

Firstly, my sincere apologies for the delay in responding. Life has been difficult with my local wireless network down and no access to internet.



My current status:- Will request you to close this thread with a BIG thanks for all the help (and enjoyment) in trying to find a solution. Ther reason is as follows:



Unrequested Restarts still causing problems. Failed to get an ISO disk going and so failed to do the memory test. Sorry I cannot give any useful experience for others to benefit from. Frustration has caused me to seek another PC tower to replace this one.



From following your instructions, I have the following programs still on the computer. Can I delete them all and clean up the system before transfer?



Data Lifeguard Diagnostics

ISO Burner & ISO Burner­_all _lang

Speccy

SeatoolsDOS223ALLS

Memtest86+-4.20.iso

Isoburncdsetup

VEW

Speedfan





My next task is to get some help from G2G to transfer from my existing PC to the new PC. Can you direct me to the correct Forum?



Thanks again. LiamB

[rshaffer61]

From following your instructions, I have the following programs still on the computer. Can I delete them all and clean up the system before transfer?

Yes all can be uninstalled if you wish.

My next task is to get some help from G2G to transfer from my existing PC to the new PC. Can you direct me to the correct Forum?

Yes just start a new topic in this forum with the topic Need to transfer all data over to new system.
I can tell you the easiest way would be to purchase a external hd enclosure and put the current drive in it. Connect it to the new system and then just copy all your data over to the new system. You can't transfer programs over so they will need to be reinstalled.

[iheartmaryjane]

did you try replacing the Power supply, i had the same thing happening to be computer would randomly restart, just the power supply going dead.

[LiamB]

To Rshaffer61 and iheartmaryjane:

The replacement PC is up and running and I used the external HDD to carry across the files. Still lots to do but sofar...so good!

To iheartmaryjane: Interesting...Someone else suggested that. I now have a replacement PSU ready to go in. I'll do that in slow time and will let you know. Getting it back and running is part of the "fun" but I would love to know what was wrong in the first place. Big thanks to all for their help. LiamB

[iheartmaryjane]

put in that Power supply asap and let me know.

[rshaffer61]

Per your post 5 the voltages look good as well as the temps. If the PSU is under wattage for your system it would answer for the random restarts and probably most likely a brown out as its called.

[LiamB]

To Rshaffer61 and iheartmaryjane:

Hi. Now completed the transfer to new PC and up and running. Changed over the PSU in the "old" system and ran contineously for 22 Hrs. No "Unrequested Restarts" indicating the PSU as possible source of problem. Not 100% yet as the Old System had also a HDD removed for transfer to other system, so will now reverse the process and put the "faulty" PSU back in (not the HDD) and see if fault returns. Will let you know. LiamB