There are many reasons why computers suffer from random restarts or crash when certain programs are run. Some causes relate directly to the environment the computer system operates in, while others are physical faults and finally software glitches can play a part. The most common causes for erratic behaviours are listed below.
Environmental causes:
Poor quality electricity supply.
Dust build up on internal circuits and in fans.
Hot operating environment - inadequate airflow or ventilation.
Physical causes:
Faulty or underpowered PSU.
Poorly fitted memory.
PCI cards suffering from chip creep.
Loose connectors including CPU pins.
Shorting of circuits.
Worn out capacitors on the motherboard.
Software causes:
Buggy, corrupted or wrong drivers.
Corrupt programs or incompatible with system configuration / BIOS.
Corrupt operating system or system infection.
Treatment options:
The process of faultfinding starts with a systematic elimination of the each of the above, until narrowing the focus to just a couple of issues. Normally start with the potential environmental issues first.
Check for secure plug connections to the wall, preferably through a tested UPS system that can regulate power supply spikes and brown outs. Ask the question do my lights flicker or dim in the environment? These can be telltale signs of a poor quality electricity supply. Also check the system log, it will list the frequency of critical power loss events. Consider connecting a UPS device to ensure a stable power supply if one is not already installed - at least temporarily.
Check the placement of the system - Is it in the open or stuck in a cupboard with no airflow? Take a look at the internal temperatures while running and focus on idle temperatures of the CPU, motherboard and video card. High idle temps point to poor airflow through the chassis, clogged fans or vents or a poorly designed case with regard to vital airflow over key components that need cooling.
Open the case to reveal the internal components, inspect for dust, clogged fans and heat sinks and perform a thorough compressed air clean of the motherboard, all fans, vents and peripheral components. If idle CPU temps were higher than they ought to be, consider re-greasing the CPU with special thermal grease that helps transfer heat from the chip to the heat sink where it is dissipated. Inspect the motherboard CPU socket, occasionally one or two of the many hundreds of pins that connect the CPU to the board may be bent and causing problems.
Inspect the motherboard for possible short circuits points with the case. Re-seat the memory chips, PCI cards, SATA, PATA, floppy cables and pay attention to the power and reset connectors that attach to the front panel. A loose reset switch lead could easily be overlooked. Finally check all motherboard power connectors, SATA and Molex power cables are securely attached to their respective devices. Finally check fan operation, make sure all fans are working together to flow fresh cool air from front to back. Consider installing extra chassis fans if overheating is suspected.
Close the case and boot the computer (not literally, though that may make you feel better). Time to see if the above environmental improvements and the system service have restored stability. Hopefully your system will be running cooler and quieter and be problem free at this stage, but if you are still experiencing problems the focus should be turned to the below items:
Power supply unit - faulty or under-rated output.
Motherboard capacitors - could be worn out.
Drivers, programs, operating system, BIOS and infections.
From experience faulty PSU's are hard to diagnose, but with the aid of an UPS and the event log, look for critical errors involving power loss over a period of time, perhaps a week or even a month. This information may be sent to the manufacturer as proof of a problem if the PSU is under warranty. Consider replacing the PSU as an option if this is suspected.
Worn capacitors can lead to random restarts. Perhaps a certain task like virus scanning could trigger a restart due to the extra work involved with file scanning that it places on the mainboard. Capacitors can be replaced though if under warranty usually the complete motherboard will be swapped over. If the system is a few years old, consider completely replacing the board.
Infections are quite common and they can certainly cause a great deal of corruption to the operating system. Use an up to date virus scanner and perform a full scan to rule out infection. Consider seeking professional services to remove any infections or reinstallation of the operating system is another alternative. Visit your motherboard manufacturers web site and check if your BIOS version is the current release. Many times BIOS releases are made to update system stability and improve compatibility with peripheral devices or the operating system, so do not skip this important step. Follow manufacturer's instructions carefully when updating the BIOS.
Finally if a faulty driver is suspected do some research online for all your peripheral devices and download and install the latest drivers. Some drivers may require you boot Windows in safe mode to install the new or correct driver.
Following the above systematic process will detect 95% of instability problems and should point you in the right direction to rectify your PC problems.
Further self help guides available from http://pc-computer-repairs.net.au
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