PC resets itself while booting up

[DoorKnobHandle]

Well, since several weeks now, my computer resets itself while booting. I start it, it loads windows and then usually resets. Starts again, most of the times resets few seconds later again, and usually the third time it works. First it wasn't as bad (reseted once, then worked okay), but since six or seven days now, it needs up to three resets. One time, it even froze while the windows xp-logo was displayed with that little loading-bar underneath it with those three blue rectangles going through. Two times now, it switched completely off and I couldn't turn it on without switching the power-switch on the back of the computer off, waiting 30 seconds or something and switching it on again.

I did a virus check and nothing turned up, I have a good firewall installed in both the router and the computer and pretty good protection, so I kinda doubt it's a virus. In fact, I somehow doubt it's software related at all. The computer is kinda dusty, because I let it run with one of the sides removed, I should probably clean it out, but on the other hand, how would that cause the machine to shut off only while starting up (same applies to the cooler, I first thought it might be the fan not working, but then, why would it only not work at startup - after windows has finally started up, my computer works for hours without problems). The power connection seemed a little loose as well, but again, why would it only be loose at startup and not later on?

Anybody have the same problems?

Thanks for your help.

[woodz]

check the capacitors around the CPU

the one arrowed has popped, when those go a pc will just keep restarting as soon as it tries to load the devices
so if any are brown and manky looking you will need a new motherboard.. Maplin have some good deals on motherboard bungles at the moment

[Andail]

That looks like one of those shots CIA took to prove that Iraq was developing nuclear weapon facilities.

Shows how much I'm into computer hardware.

[voh]

What woodz is saying happened to me. Random reboots, graphical glitches, memory problems. Replaced memory, power supply and video card before I remembered the news items about blown capacitators and thus realizing it was the mobo. Replaced it, worked like a charm again, used the replacement hardware to build my new PC

But yeah, check the mobo. If it isn't that, it might be the PSU.

[SinSin]

I had this problem a few years ago and what woodz says is correct

May I state that you need to back up all work quickly before the MB blows a few more Capacitors mine had at least 6 blown before it never worked again and this was a pain and i lost all my AGS BGs animations the lot.

Start looking to upgrade your PC

[woodz]

the first time i came across it was on a 18month old Fujitsu, we thought it was the video card as the fan on it was siezing up, changed the card and it worked.. for a day! spent a week trying  different hardware testing software which showed everything was ok  :
in the end i found a release note about Fujitsu's burning out the capacitors, there was 6 popped in this one, then in two weeks 2 other mates PC's did the same! AMD and Intel's so its not unique to types MB's

[DoorKnobHandle]

Okay, thanks for the help so far, guys. I will take a look at my motherboard as soon as possible. One question though: if a cap would be blown, wouldn't the computer reset either always or while in use? My machine ONLY does it when booting. How does that fit together? Or is it still possible that a faulty cap only sometimes AND only in a certain phase (ie. while booting) causes the computer to reset?

[SinSin]

This depends entirely on how the circuit has been created it differs from MB to MB
basically what happens is the surge of electrical pulses carrying infomation does not manage to get from A to B the first time but they are stored for the second time which in turn crashes as the capacitors cannot regulate the flow on the third time however there is enough done within the motherboard for the boot up to be successful.

Even though the computer cannot use these capacitors then the electricity will find the next best route hence the reboot ( the Power is surging the MB)

Electricity will travel anywhere it can as long as the object it travels along is a conductor (Please npote also that dust IS a conductor )

I hope I'm right (if not my uncle's dead), Another thing try reserching your MB on google  type the name and model number and try and find a manual this will also help

And one more thing give your machiene a vacuum (being careful not to touch anything as static will kill your Cards and motherboard) and maybe slap a common fan that is led around the house next to your unit ensuring that it will not overheat

[Sektor 13]

I still think it's a faulty RAM module. If you have 2 or more module in your MB try to remove one (or two) so you have only one module installed. Try to boot the PC. If it does the same, try with other module.
Of you have only 1 RAM module try to run memory tester (like MEMTEST ) and try to test yor ram for errors. Test should run for few hours to get accurate results (or less if you get the error..).

->i didn't read all the replies so maybe someone already suggested that solution  8)

[BOYD1981]

i had this problem when i seriously messed up my registry, the pc would get to the Windows loading screen and then just reset.
it could also just be overheating ofcourse.

[markbilly]

Check it isn't placed somewhere where air can't get around it. Sometimes overheating can lead it to restart before windows.

This is the most simple thing to check.

Oh, and sinsin, using the word "electricity" to explain the workings of a complex electronic system like a computer sort of makes things hard to understand

A problem with one capacitor would just full stop not allow it to boot.

[woodz]

Check it isn't placed somewhere where air can't get around it. Sometimes overheating can lead it to restart before windows.

This is the most simple thing to check.

Oh, and sinsin, using the word "electricity" to explain the workings of a complex electronic system like a computer sort of makes things hard to understand

A problem with one capacitor would just full stop not allow it to boot.

the fujitsu had 6 knackered and it would boot.. it just got worse over a matter of days
they are connected in parallel, a capacitor stores power so even in a damaged state there will be some charge, left over from the last attempt.. if the where in series well yes one would kill the computer dead.. try playing with a capacitor from a TV or fluesent light.. it'll hold the charge for week/months.. maybe not play unless you want to be zapped by mega volts lol
marvelous little things capacitors, its basicly what a stun gun or a electric fence uses

[markbilly]

Oh, in parallel?

Well capacitance adds in parallel, so they will still operate, just not properly. I see what you mean. I was working on the assumption they were in series, silly me.

[Jesus Juice]

The computer is kinda dusty, because I let it run with one of the sides removed, I should probably clean it out, but on the other hand, how would that cause the machine to shut off only while starting up (same applies to the cooler, I first thought it might be the fan not working, but then, why would it only not work at startup - after windows has finally started up, my computer works for hours without problems).

It doesn't cost anything to clean the dust out. Try cleaning it out before jumping to more extreme conclusions involving blown capacitors.

[DoorKnobHandle]

I dusted the computer out, but it didn't seem to help. It reseted itself again just afterwards (only one time, not three, through - but that might've been just luck as well).

I also took a look at the capacitors. There were four and they all had something on top of them, that looked like hard, brownish glue, on some it was more, on some it was just a little drip. Does that really mean they are blown? If so, when all four are blown, the computer shouldn't work anymore at all, should it? Because it still works...

Thanks for the help so far.

EDIT: When it reseted, it always comes up with a screen telling me that "Windows could not be started properly" and allows me to choose to boot up in safe-mode or in normal-mode etc. but also says "Ignore this screen if the computer was shut off because of a power outage etc." I guess, that's normal, because it looks like a power outage (which is why my first thought was the power cable). Also, Windows wants to check the drive consistency in this blueish xp-screen. I did it once a few days ago, and everything was fine. Now I just skip it. Though I'd mention that, too.

[Fee]

Are you sure its a hardware error?

A damaged Windows installation can also cause this sort of behaviour.

[DoorKnobHandle]

Second time after cleaning the dust, it didn't do it. Now, the third time, it didn't either. Maybe it DID help...

Thanks so far to everybody, I'll let you know if the problem resurfaces.