Random reboots

[cunokyle]

AMD AthlonXP 2000
Gigabyte 7ZXE
1Gig Kingston PC133(2 sticks 512mb)
SuSE 9 pro/Windows XP Home

I have been having a weird problem with random reboots on my machine. It only does it if I have a full load on my processor. If I try to run a DC client like SETI or FAD or any other, my computer will reboot every once in a while. It does this more in Linux than Windows. The operating temps are not unusual. Under a full load the temp will get to around 47*C. There will be nothing else wrong with thew system and it will suddenly just reboot. I have used memtest and there were no errors.

If I am not running a DC client there is never a reboot. I have had my system up for 4 days with no reboot. I decided to start my SETI client and about 20 minutes later...reboot. Same thing with both OSes. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Try running w/ the side(s) off while running CPU apps. Maybe heat, just not reading correct on the sensor.

If it still restarts, look for bad caps, especially around the CPU, look for brown residue and/or if they're swollen.

[Swells]

I had the same problem for a long time. I would play FFXI or CoD and it would happen. Heck, sometimes even when using Outlook Express. Go to your system properties, the advanced tab, go down to startup and recovery and click settings. Uncheck automatic restart.

Haven't had issues since.

[Redwolf]

It sounds and smells like a heat issue or a power issue. What kind of PS do you have?

[cunokyle]

I have a DeVanni DeForce 368W PS.

I have no problems when I run games or any other programs. It is only when I have a DC client running. I have not added any new hardware and this just started happening about a week ago.

Like I mentioned...no problems unless I am running a DC client...at first I thought it was a heat problem too. I even removed the heat sink, cleaned off the thermal patste, lapped the heat sink and am using Arctic Silver paste. I have watched my temps and the highest they will get is around 47* and at idle they are around 34* so I think that I can rule out heat.

The PS is only a couple of months old. The voltage ratings look like they are good. I am not sure what exactly is wrong. If it was only happening with one OS I think I would blame the FAD software I recently installed in Linux...since it was almost immediately after I installed FAD I started to have problems.

Did you inspect the board?

I have a GA7ZXE as well, last night I did a little case rearranging and noticed a cap was swollen and had some brown goo, look just above the CPU. It's a 1200uf/6.3v.

[cunokyle]

I will have a look now.


edit: well...that may be my problem. There is a cap that the top looks like it is bulging on. Looks like it may be time to bust out the soldering iron.

[Redwolf]

Yep. A bulging cap is a sign your mobo is out to lunch. Before you break out the good ole' soldering iron though, make sure the thing isn't under warranty. Because the other caps may be defective as well, and a new board can make sure everything works.

-edit- I just realized taht's probably why my old machine was so messed up. Broken caps. Hmmm.......

[cunokyle]

well, I did take a closer look at it...and it appears there may be 2 bad caps. I am not sure if it is still under warranty...I need to find my documentation.

[Tomteriffic]

Yup, spontaneous reboots, particularly when the system is working particularly hard are almost always a sign of a power delivery problem, either mobo caps or the power supply itself.