PC problem

[scott1120]

My PC is in a continual reboot loop. On Tuesday I changed the CMOS battery (had gotten CMOS checksum error), it ran all day then last nite while doing a disk defrag it re-booted. The re-boot never gets past the BIOS info screen, before starting over. After changing the battery I checked the settings and everything looked fine, I pretty much run on auto. Could it be overheating? I don't think it is O/S or HDD because it doesn't get that far.
Any suggestions?

[photosbymorgan2]

Originally Posted by scott1120

My PC is in a continual reboot loop. On Tuesday I changed the CMOS battery (had gotten CMOS checksum error), it ran all day then last nite while doing a disk defrag it re-booted. The re-boot never gets past the BIOS info screen, before starting over. After changing the battery I checked the settings and everything looked fine, I pretty much run on auto. Could it be overheating? I don't think it is O/S or HDD because it doesn't get that far.
Any suggestions?

You may need to go to another computer, download a bios flash for your computer, flash the bios and try again. The bios may have lost its settings.

Also, if you can get into bios, check the date and time and see if they are set correctly.

[scott1120]

Now when it crashes - it tries to re-start but cannot even make to the BIOS POST screen. All I get is the keyboard lights flashing and the cd/dvd lights flashing. After I let it sit for awhile it will re-start fine. i have been checking the system and cpu temperature, they are not getting hot (cpu never get over 120f and system never gets over 100f). The board is over 5 years old. Any suggestions? Don't really have the cash to be just replacing all parts.

[ndsimm]

I had a Compaq that had that happen (or something similar), it was overheating because the fan (System fan, not CPU fan) had gone out and I didn't notice....went to Fry's and got a replacement and it's been fine

[kenw]

also a constant re-boot is symptomatic of several viruses.

don't ask how I know......

[KdLaneJr]

Nathan has brought up the first thing you should check. Open your case and see if your CPU fan runs when you press the power button. If it does not then you need a new CPU cooler to start. It's a good idea to take a look at your case fan(s). A little housekeeping (dust removal) might be in order.

If your CPU cooler is running, then your ram may have died. It only takes one stick to cause this problem. If you have two installed, remove one and try to boot again. If no luck, swap to the other stick of ram and try again.

Another option is your power supply is failing. They are not expensive and usually reasonably easy to replace.

I hope it's not a Virus as previously mentioned. That is time consuming and annoying to fix.

You might also power down completely, remove the new CMOS battery you installed and carefully re-install it.

When you try to boot up again, make sure you enter your BIOS set-up and take a look around at the settings.

This really sounds like a CPU temperature problem. Did you inadvertantly "bump" any wiring loose while replacing the CMOS battery?

Ken

[scott1120]

The problem is it will run for a couple of days then reboots. Upon re-boot initially it will not even get to the POST screen, but after a while (several hours) it will boot just fine. I am thinking it is the PSU because the problems started after I blew all the dust out. I think I forced too much dust into the fan/PSU and it is overheating. The CPU and mainboard seem to be controlling their temps fine. I have sensor on them and they don't get hot even after running for several hours.

[Daylon]

PSU will cause that. A bad rail (running intermittent voltage to the system board) will cause it to reboot - it's rare that they go bad, but it happens. Luckily, PSU's are fairly inexpensive. Get at least a 300-350watt.

D.

Originally Posted by scott1120

The problem is it will run for a couple of days then reboots. Upon re-boot initially it will not even get to the POST screen, but after a while (several hours) it will boot just fine. I am thinking it is the PSU because the problems started after I blew all the dust out. I think I forced too much dust into the fan/PSU and it is overheating. The CPU and mainboard seem to be controlling their temps fine. I have sensor on them and they don't get hot even after running for several hours.