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Computer Randomly Restarts Itself

Zeeb!Zeeb! Registered User regular
edited May 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
It never does this when I'm using it, but I've noticed that sometimes, in the middle of the night whilst I'm asleep, almost as though some force has possessed it, my computer will restart itself.

This is annoying for a number of reasons: sometimes I'm downloading something, it gets rid of any instant messages I've received since going to bed, and I have a ton of unwanted startup programs that I don't really know how to disable.

Anyone know what might be up and how to fix it?

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Zeeb! on

Posts

  • ZellZell Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Obvious question: Is Windows Update enabled?

    Zell on
  • bombardierbombardier Moderator Mod Emeritus
    edited May 2007
    Run msconfig from the command line to disable startup programs. If you're unsure what a startup option is in msconfig, a quick net search should help you out. Also, it would probably be good to run some sort of CPU stability program and hardware memory tester like Memtest86+

    bombardier on
  • whuppinswhuppins Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Zell wrote: »
    Obvious question: Is Windows Update enabled?
    10 bucks says it's Windows Update.

    http://blogs.msdn.com/tim_rains/archive/2004/11/15/257877.aspx

    Alternately (the machine I tried this registry fix on didn't have a WindowsUpdate key where it supposedly should have), you should be able to just tell your machine to download the updates but don't install them in your security center settings.

    whuppins on
  • SeñorAmorSeñorAmor !!! Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    My first guess would be heat issues. Have you checked to make sure your computer's innards aren't covered with a thin layer of dust and that your fans are all spinning properly?

    My second guess would be a faulty or overworked power supply. I'd call your local computer store and ask if they could test your power supply quick to see if it has any problems. (WARNING: Do NOT pay for this. If they want to charge you for a 15 second job, look elsewhere for help.)

    SeñorAmor on
  • Zeeb!Zeeb! Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Yeah, it was the automatic updater.

    Thanks, guys!

    Zeeb! on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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