Restarting problem

Jesusfrk611

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My brothers PC recently began constantly restarting at random times. It didn't happen when he first got the system, so I figured it might be a virus or something and to just reinstall Windows. As it starts formatting it restarts again. Then I think it might be overheating. I go into BIOS and check the temps. 50C idle on a P4 2.8GHz prescott in a case with 1 exhaust fan and an aftermarket copper HSF. I figure it shouldn't be restarting at that temp, but I go ahead and reseat the HSF with new AS5. Still idling at 50C and restarted on me again. I even have a box fan blowing in on the side and it's still idling at 50C...

The only thing I can think of is that the video card might be causing the restarts. My brother said they didn't start happening until after he installed the video card. It's kinda weird because he's got the same video card as me. 400W PSU should be able to handle it. Could it be that the PSU is crapping out? It's a generic brand PSU that I had and used to build that system.
 
most likely the PSU, the sensor on his motherboard looks like its broken, might be because of the PSU voltage spikes. i would keep that computer un plugged (not just off) until you can buy\find a better and more stable PSU
 
I can pull a PSU from another system to test it out tomorrow. When I first put the new HSF on it was somewhere around 40C idle which is good for a prescott, then it got hotter, which confused me. If that fixed it I'll probably just get a good brand name 400W PSU from newegg that I can find cheap. My bro has no money, and I can't spend a whole bunch on him, but I will spend a bit this once. Anything good for under $50?
 
Before you take drastic measures, take the CPU FAN off and check if the heatsinc is covered in dust, clean in between the panels, give you PC a good blow out or Hoover being careful not to scratch anything, Dust is the number one culprit damaging PCs.
 
It's not dust. It hasn't been in operation that long since I built it. I put in a brand new HSF and a new case fan. I cleaned it out some. I had it open not long ago and it's not dusty. I'd have to say it's not overheating that's the problem. The PSU going out does seem like it might happen like this. I attempted trying a different PSU, but I found out it had a 24 pin connector instead of 20... I told my brother not to use it until we get a new PSU.

Is this PSU good? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153060
I think I've heard good things about Thermaltake on here, but i needed to make sure. I also found a 350W Antec, but I don't think it will power the graphics card.
Antec: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
The GFX card he has: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
 
Thermaltake, Antec, and Coolermaster all have reliable reputations. I'm just not sold on the fact that its the power supply. Check out Newegg's return policy.
 
If you want to risk it, you could start it up again and use a program like pc wizard or something to check the PSU voltages on the 12V rail etc. Just to be sure that it is the PSU.
 
It's not dust. It hasn't been in operation that long since I built it. I put in a brand new HSF and a new case fan. I cleaned it out some. I had it open not long ago and it's not dusty. I'd have to say it's not overheating that's the problem. The PSU going out does seem like it might happen like this. I attempted trying a different PSU, but I found out it had a 24 pin connector instead of 20... I told my brother not to use it until we get a new PSU.

Is this PSU good? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153060
I think I've heard good things about Thermaltake on here, but i needed to make sure. I also found a 350W Antec, but I don't think it will power the graphics card.
Antec: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003
The GFX card he has: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

I know you can use a 20 pin connector on a 24 pin motherboard, does anyone know if you can use a 24 pin psu on a 20 pin motherboard? Or are they not backwards compatible like that.

If not before you buy a new PSU off newegg by a mobo 20-24 pin adapter. It will be worth potentially saving $50-$150.

I still personally think its a virus thats infected an important file, causing windows to restart when it encounters a problem as is standard procedure for the OS.
 
You could try booting into safe mode and running virus scans or remove a program you recently installed.
 
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