no new drivers
no new hardware
newer windows install completely up to date (although has been perfectly fine until all of a sudden)
all hard drives pass diagnostic tests

ok i take back the hardware part, 1gb more of ram but that has been in for a week (did new install of windows when i put that iN).

could a memory error cause a SUDDEN reboot? like when copying files from one hard drive to another?


i'm running memtest right now, full tests and can report that back. even if that passes i can try this with my original 1gb (2x512mb) ddr2 ram from the system and i guess can go from there.



ANY IDEAS?

11/2/2005 7:13:09 PM

i'd be more inclined to think its a power issue.

Memory issues usually = blue screen of death.

The circuit in your house may not be supplying steady current. You can either put it on another circuit or put a battery backup in front of it to see if thats the issue.

Although more likely your PSU is crapping out.

If you have an extra one give it a shot. Or maybe barrow one if you can.

11/2/2005 7:20:56 PM

ya i have been inclined to think PSU.

i'm on a battery backup, power is clean.

just weird this would happen all of a sudden. there's a plug that goes straight into my gf6800gto in my dell i don't think other PSU's have though...

11/2/2005 7:22:01 PM

this seems like a completely basic and stupid statement (b/c it is) but check the power cord on both ends... make sure its making good contact and can't get knocked loose... I got freaked out one time when I was still in the dorms b/c my computer would totally reboot for NO reason... turned out the power cord didn't fit exactly right and it would get pulled from time to time....

11/2/2005 7:39:57 PM

memtest was OK with NO ERRORS, so that's 99.999% not a memory issue then right?

[Edited on November 2, 2005 at 7:46 PM. Reason : .]

11/2/2005 7:41:39 PM

ok it ONLY DOES THIS when copying files from one hdd to another... wtf? no blue screen, nothing. just reboot.

11/2/2005 8:05:30 PM

memory, psu, and heat are about the only things that I've seen cause "random" reboots. since it's windows, check the event log

11/2/2005 8:20:34 PM

no event log, nothing could be written. does it w/ case open, temps are OK!

memory seems ok, but going to try again with original memory after i do a DELL diagnostics test.


if those 2 end up ok, must be PSU?

11/2/2005 8:24:00 PM

there's plenty of worms and viruses that can cause your computer to reboot "randomly"

11/2/2005 8:40:05 PM

took that memory out, system is fine. it even sneaked by memtest, last time i use that as a test


ocz doesn't like intel

[Edited on November 2, 2005 at 9:21 PM. Reason : .]

11/2/2005 9:19:21 PM

adjust your timings to not SPD? or pump your chipset voltage?

11/2/2005 9:23:28 PM

can't change any of that in my BIOS...

11/2/2005 9:47:36 PM

What speed/type is the memory? Interested in selling?

11/2/2005 9:52:37 PM

OCZ DDR2 2x512mb 4-4-4-12 i think. memory passes inspection, just incompatible with my board. can let it go for $60.

11/2/2005 10:09:06 PM

nm

[Edited on November 2, 2005 at 11:59 PM. Reason : ]

11/2/2005 11:58:59 PM

could be heat issue. Make sure all the fans are running, dust is clear, etc.

11/3/2005 9:27:45 AM