Computer Shuts Down then Restarts/Torrents

[Melroyster]

Hey everyone, I built my own computer about a couple of months ago. I believe I did everything correct, but the computer keeps shutting down then restarting again after being on for a while. It shuts down w/o warning, and then restarts again, and shuts down then restart, and does this over and over again. Normally I have to let it sit for a while then try turning the computer on, and its ok again. Sometimes I have to wait longer. My friend installed the OS which was his OS from his computer. Windows XP 2003. Any suggestions?

Also does anyone know about Bit-torrent or Torrent files?

Melvin Royster
Windows XP
Pentium 4 1.86 GHz
1.0 RAM

 

[ASG0856]

My 2ps' worth
Sounds like it is overheating.
Is the heatsink and fan for the cpu up to the job?
Is the room where you keep it too warm and poorly ventilated?
Filters blocked by dust?
All fans (cpu and case) working?

 

[kestrel1]

Certainly sounds like overheating to me. Make sure that all fans are working (as above).
Check the system & CPU temp by entering the BIOS. Should be a section in the BIOS about this.
What do you want to know about torrent files?

 

[Melroyster]

Thanks ASG0856, and kestrel1. Actually there have been times, when I've turned on the computer I have an error message saying that the CPU temp is too hot, but I just thought it was nothing. I didn't know how to bring the temp down. How do I find out if the fan can handle my computer? I try to clean it when I can.

I just wanted to know what are torrent files, how do they work, and how to use then?

Thanks again

Melvin

 

[kestrel1]

What CPU are you using & what heatsink? Did you get a heatsink that was recomended for your CPU? Are you using thermal paste between the CPU & heatsink?
If you were getting the error message, you shouldn't really ignore it. It was trying to tell you something is wrong. I know we all hope that things will go away if we ignore them, but it doesn't always work.

Torrent files are used by programs such as BitTorrent to enable the program to find the location of a file on a remote machine (host), so that this file can be downloaded to the client machine. for a full explanation have a look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent

 

[wahnula]

Random reboots are usually due to heat and/or PSU issues. Re-seat your HSF and see if that helps. Usually running with the PC w/ the case open will tell you if there's another overheating component due to lack of circulation.

Tony

 

[Melroyster]

I'm using a Intel motherboard 1.86GHZ, Windows XP, as far as the other stuff, I'm not sure. My friend ordered for me, and I put it together. Where could I find that information?

I'll check it out, thanks.

Also, does anyone know where I can find a SATA to IDE adapter? I'm trying to back up files I have on a SATA hard drive, onto an IDE motherboard. Thanks.

Melvin

 

[kestrel1]

You need to make sure that your heatsink & fan are rated for your type of processor. Ask your friend where he got the stuff & if it was correctly rated for that type of CPU.

What you need to get, so that you can use your SATA HD's is a SATA PCI card. Something like this should do the trick:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...ATA+2-Port+PCI+Controller+Card?productId=7730

 

[Cwgunder]

I've run into this problem a few times and adding thermal grease between the CPU and heatsink has fixed it every time. You can probably find some at any computer store. I tend to use

http://www.newegg.com

or

http://www.tigerdirect.com.

For a good torrent client, try Azureus. Just download and open the torrents. The client does the rest... unless you're behind a firewall or proxy server. Then more configurations may be necessary. It has a help file that can help with that.

for the converter, try tigerdirect.com or newegg.com

or

http://www.pcgears.com/default.aspx?oid=108011&gclid=CKfT7o_LtowCFQKuQAodowiSLA

Hope this helps

Good Luck!

Chris

 

[kjv1611]

Also, make sure your fans are blowing in the right direction. I have once fixed someone's heat problems when I found a fan in their system blowing in the opposite direction of what it should be blowing.

The CPU fan should be blowing ONTO the CPU and heatsink - not away from them (for most modern processors).

And the rest of the fans (typically) should be drawing air from the front bottom of the case, and out the top back of the case.

Another test is to run the computer with the side panel open (the computer case open). If the temps are WAY different, then you definitely have a problem with the air.

If your friend knows more about the computer parts and all, you may want to get him/her involved to make sure you don't fry your processor or cause any other related damage.

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[wahnula]

Also, make sure your fans are blowing in the right direction

I have always gone by the rule of thumb: "The fan always blows in the direction of the label"...but was embarrassed to find my "blowhole" fan (Vantech Stealth), installed last year at the top of my case to keep my DVD drives cool during multiple-burn sessions, had the label on the INTAKE side and had been happily pushing hot air down into the case for the last six months. When in doubt, use a smoking match to determine which way the fan is blowing.

I will never trust that axiom again.

 

[branchtom]

This was happening to me, and someone mentioned that it might be a cracked motherboard.
That rang a bell with me, because I installed the motherboard myself, and after mounting it on the standoffs, I had to push pretty hard on the RAM to install it. And I remember thinking at the time, "Boy, I hope I don't crack the motherboard." Anyway, I replaced the motherboard and the problem, of course, went away.

 

[prnstr2007]

i have a 1200 compaq persino lap top i can not get the volume contol to open up or even the sound to play if you could help me it would be great.

 

[kjv1611]

prnstr2007,

You need to start a new thread, not post a new problem in an existing thread.

See faq799-2890

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me