Re: Spontaneous reboots revisited

From: Thom Walker (thomalanwalker_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 10/29/04 

Date: Fri, 29 Oct 2004 08:59:07 -0700

Frodo,
Thanks for the reply, I will try that memTest, however, I have already d/l'd
and used the Dr. Memory Ram test (in burn in mode overnight) and it has
cleared both my 512 meg RAM cards.

I have noticed one "suspicious thing" that sort-of correlates with the
problem I've been having. I have Window Messenger installed (because Outlook
Express seem to require it, if I try to remove it, a pop-up tells me the OE
is using it), but never activate or use it. (I use AIM) However, lately
I've noticed that Windows Messenger just seems to arbitarily pop-up a sign-on
dialog (all by itself, I don't believe I initiate it, although I'm not sure
because I only see it when I come back to my computer and move or click the
mouse on a blank screen saver screen to get the screen to come back) and then
there the dialog is.

Could this unwanted pop up be causing the reboots?

The only other "new" thing that I did around the time the reboots started
was to install a new 250 gig hard drive. A standard IDE drive in a Master
position on the 2nd IDE chain.

Any other ideas you might have would be appreciated.

- Thom Walker

"frodo@theshire.org" wrote:

> spontaineous reboots are often caused by hardware errors, usually memory
> errors. most people tend to ignore this, but it's true. If your system
> is rebooting/hanging occasionally (once or twice a week at least), and
> never in the same place, suspect a memory error.
>
> run memtest+ to find out. read all the instructions there. it fairly easy
> to do and will provide peace-of-mind at least.
>
> http://www.memtest.org/
>
> get the "precompiled package for floppy", it's the easiest to use.
> if you don't have a floppy drive then you'll need to get the bootable ISO
> version and use your existing burner sw to create a CD.
>
>