Windows 7 x64 random reboot

[Hirokotzu]

Hey everyone. Recently my PC hardware was breaking down when I was running Windows XP Professional, so I decided to upgrade all my hardware since it's been 4years. Got a new ASUS motherboard, a new i5 2.88ghz processor, new RAM, new monitor, new gpu, new heatsink etc. I also got Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM through newegg.com. I'm not a huge tech myself so I payed some local tech to install it all. There is only one problem now.

I can run games that are intense on the CPU and GPU and it won't reboot and I can do normal stuff in OS that won't make it reboot. I notice it reboots everytime I try to install a new program of some sorts. It doesn't give me an error msg. It just restarts and when it starts windows it states that windows did not close properly and asks me if I want to start it in safe mode.

I've checked the temperatures of the cpu and gpu and motherboard and it's all normal so I have no idea what is wrong. I also got a new seagate 800gb hard drive when I got new hardware and the tech reformatted the drive and installed windows 7 on it. I really would love to get to the bottom of this without reinstalling windows or whatever. Any suggestions to find out what kind of error I'm getting and how to fix it? I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Crispy]

Get a new power supply (PSU 750w Power Supply (Came with the Alienware 4yrs ago) seems like you are using the one from 4 years ago, that is the most common cause off random restarts.

 

[Hirokotzu]

You think It's bad even though the restarts don't happen on hours of graphic intense games? I'll get a new one but only If I'm positive It'll fix the problems. If so, what kind of power supply is compatible with my computer + is affordable?

 

[Crispy]

All I can say is it used to happened to me when I was overclocking and I replaced the PSU and it did not happened again.
Its up to you if you want a new PSU I am just giving you advice on what it could be, any PSU is compatible with PC's you just have to know how much WATT's you are going to use.
As for the prices I don't even know where you live or even how much you can spend so I want say what is affordable for you.
Here is guide for PSU's: PSU buyers guide and How-to guide - Overclockers Forums

 

[Hirokotzu]

Thanks for the quick replies and help. So far the random rebooting has stopped, but if it comes back I'll highly consider a new PSU. I live on the east coast USA and would like to keep the spending limit to around $100 give or take some. So any PSU should physically fit where my current one is? Cool.

 

[Crispy]

Check out Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more! it seems to be the best for the US.

 

[LiquidSnak]

that is great, along with Fry's Home Electronics | Computer Parts & Accessories, Software, Games, TVs, Cameras - Frys.com

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Value=1314:58426&PropertyCodeValue=1314:58427

Also, high five for saitek eclipses!

 

[Hirokotzu]

Yeah, newegg.com is where I ordered all the new hardware such as the motherboard, cpu, etc. Actually I did a system restore and so far I haven't had a random reboot, even when installing new programs. Hopefully it stays that way, otherwise I'll llook at a new PSU. Thanks guys

 

[Crispy]

No problem glade to help out.

 

[Hirokotzu]

Well, It's rebooting again. I installed a lot of programs recently, and they all work fine, but I just tried to uninstall Quicktime to rollback to an older version, and after windows tries to load the uninstall program for quicktime, it just shuts off, and reboots. I highly doubt it's something to do with the power supply if its happening when I uninstall stuff and everything else runs fine. Any more troubleshoot tips?

 

[LiquidSnak]

Random reboots with a 4 year old PSU sounds to me like a PSU issue, but if it's every time you install or uninstall certain or any programs, then it might be an issue with software. Try running "sfc /scannow" from the start menu or a command prompt?

 

[Hirokotzu]

Running it now, I ran it a few days ago and everything was ok. So it's possible that the computer restarts on windows based operations (installing, uninstalling) and not hardware driving games? If you think it's possible I'll get a new PSU. It'd be great if you could recommend me a good 650-750w on newegg.com.


Edit: The sfc /scannow found no problems.

 

[pasquanel]

I had a similar problem and it was the PSU I purchased this one from newegg and it never happened again.
Newegg.com - Sunbeam PSU-ECO750-US-BL 750W ATX12V 2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies
It has all the sata and power connections you could ever use.

Good Luck

 

[LiquidSnak]

650-750W, any of these I have had good luck with

Newegg.com - 800W, 750W, 730W, 720W, 700W, 680W, 675W, 660W, 650W, OCZ Technology, Cooler Master, Thermaltake, Sigma Product, Antec, Power Supplies,...

As much as I want to blame hardware for this, as I too believe that it's the likely cause, does it really only happen when you are installing/uninstalling? Any specific programs? Or are you just always installing or uninstalling

 

[Hirokotzu]

yeah, it happens to certain programs. Random ones at that, no real rhyme or reason to it. It's pretty strange but a new PSU won't hurt I hope the wires aren't all a mess. I have a full tower alienware area-51 case and the current wires are all bundled up in a nice little sleeve. Are those power supplies gonna be okay (reach wise) for a full sized tower?

would this work? I'm just hoping it fits the case and the wires reach, and the other wires are cluttered, thats why modular sounds cool.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2#scrollFullInfo

 

[LiquidSnak]

Rosewill is a pretty hit and miss company.

I use antec and thermaltake PSU's with no problems over the years.

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply

Same price with a much better company and warranty to back it up.

 

[Crispy]

Have you tried running memtest86? to check your RAM.

Download Link: Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

 

[Hirokotzu]

The free versions of memtest do not support 4gigs of RAM. Hey Liquidsnake, what would be the best way to organize the clutter of cables with a PSU that doesn't come with any form of mesh covering (like my current one)? Can I take off my current mesh casing and put it on the new wires?

 

[Lomai]

Hi

Modular Cabling Support

Regards

 

[Hirokotzu]

Ah, Lomai, would you recommend buying that and spending roughly $40-50 instead of the cheaper ones? I'm having a hard time deciding what PSU to buy...