comp restarts automatically, kernal power error 41

vishrocks · 23 Mar 2011

hi gurus,
i own an old computer, p4 2.4ghz on an intel gbf865 with nvidia fx5200, it is running win 7 ultimate.

although the os runs pretty smooth with aero effects and all. and plays 720p movies with out stuttering the only problem it has is that it restarts automatically .
i have had this problem for a while now.
earlier BSOD pointed audio driver error so i removed it and am using USB audiocard. it works fine
the event viewer shows error 41 kernal power error, bugcheckcode 0 and other codes as 0x0
i wanted to ask could this be because of SMPS/psu although it says 400watts but its locally built and so could be erronous.

marsmimar · 23 Mar 2011

Hello vishrocks and welcome to Seven Forums. You might find this Microsoft KB article helpful:

The system randomly restarts and no Stop error BugcheckCode is listed, or the computer is completely unresponsive (hard hang)
To check whether this scenario is occurring, press the CAPS LOCK key on the keyboard. When you do this, if the CAPS LOCK light on the keyboard does not change when you press the CAPS LOCK key, the computer may be completely unresponsive (hard hang).

This scenario usually indicates a problem with the hardware. Another possibility is that a driver may cause this problem. To help isolate the problem, check the following items:

Overclocking: Disable overclocking and see whether the issue happens when the system is run at the correct speed.
Check the memory: Verify the memory by using a memory checker. Verify that each memory chip is the same speed and that it is configured correctly in the system.
Power Supply: Make sure that the power supply has enough wattage to appropriately handle the installed devices. If you added memory, installed a newer processor, installed additional drives, or added external devices, such devices may require more energy than the current power supply can provide consistently.
Overheating: Check whether the system is overheating by examining the internal temperature of the hardware.
Defaults: Use system defaults, and run the system.

If you see that the computer generates a Stop error that contains a BugcheckCode value that is not reported in an event ID 41, modify the restart behavior for the computer. To do this, follow these steps:

Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
Click Advanced system settings.
Click the Advanced tab.
In the Startup and Recovery section, click Settings.
Click to clear the Automatically restart check box.

Windows Kernel event ID 41 error in Windows 7 or in Windows Server 2008 R2: “The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first”

vishrocks · 23 Mar 2011

thankyou @marsmimar

i have done as you advised . hopefully this will solve my problem because this is becoming really frustrating for me

.
i will report back soon.

marsmimar · 23 Mar 2011

Sorry for not mentioning these earlier. Couple of free diagnostic tools that may assist you: memtest86+, CPU-Z, and HWMonitor (last two made by same company.) Memtest is best run for 7 passes (like overnight while you won't be using the comp.) CPU-Z and/or HWMonitor overlap each other to a certain degree but each provides slightly different checks. You don't have to install all at once, maybe start with CPU-Z or HWMonitor to see if any problem just jumps right out at you.

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting - CPU-Z

CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting - HWMonitor

vishrocks · 23 Mar 2011

thanks again,
i have used memtest86+ before, left it working for a day.
no errors.

will try the other two. thanks:)

vishrocks · 23 Mar 2011

tried both of them still system restarts. my first question remains .-- could it be power issue?

marsmimar · 24 Mar 2011

Yes. From my first post:

3. Power Supply: Make sure that the power supply has enough wattage to appropriately handle the installed devices. If you added memory, installed a newer processor, installed additional drives, or added external devices, such devices may require more energy than the current power supply can provide consistently.

mhk1058 · 30 Mar 2011

marsmimar said:

Yes. From my first post:

3. Power Supply: Make sure that the power supply has enough wattage to appropriately handle the installed devices. If you added memory, installed a newer processor, installed additional drives, or added external devices, such devices may require more energy than the current power supply can provide consistently.

I have had same problem for 12 months. Having tried all the above and much more, have now changed the (12 month old) power supply from 650w Corsair PSU to 1000w (on paper 650w should be plenty) and still have the same problem. Never happens during games (COD4, Crysis) but just random times and under no real load (surfing net, sometimes even at idle)

From reading many others have same issue and looks likely to be a windows 7/hardware compatibility issue to me, possibly related to certain processors - all seem to be intel.