Computer crashes frequently.

[Jiminy]

I have a P4 1.5, 256 MB Ram with Windows XP (home ed). It is a Cicerio; I bought it from a large retailer about a year and a half ago.

Every now and then my computer would just reboot for no reason, with no warning and no visible error message. Lately the frequency of these crashes has increased to 1-2 times per day.

I ran a virus check - nothing. I ran scan disk - nothing. I checked for spyware - nothing. I defragged and still nothing helped.

Finally I decided to reformat my Hard Drive and reinstall XP. I reformatted without any problem, but when I went to install XP, it spontaneously restarted in mid-installation.

I tried installing again, and reformating again, but each time I try it it crashes the same as before. It crashes at a different point in the installation each time.

I think I have a hardware problem. It ran fine for a long time, and nothing has been added to it. There is little to no dust inside and the temps are ok according to the BIOS.

Now I'm stuck. I don't want to start swapping out parts until it's solved, but I will if I have a list of usual suspects.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[BTS '76]

sounds like your power supply is dying, I would check it with a multimeter if you have one or swap it out for a known good one.

 

[Chum]

I agree, power supply is most likely cause.

 

[Jiminy]

OK. I can try to swap out the supply to another. How do I know what power supply to buy?

 

[Jiminy]

New development....

I did not switch out the power supply, however, I used a different outlet in case it may have been overloaded (doubtful, but you never know).

I managed to get through a complete insatll of XP. Now I have error messages all over the place. One error when installing printer driver, another when opening msn messenger. I rebooted and before windows loaded back up I got another error message on a blue screen:

DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS THAN OR EQUAL

GRRRRRRR.....

 

[lafn]

you should get a 400 watt or more power supply...

Billy


















---------------------------------------------------
Most good judgement comes from experience.
Most experience comes from bad judgement.

 

[lafn]

this is a really good site someone here sent me too, try it... cant hurt, but power supply sounds like a problem...


www.pcpitstop.com




Billy









______________________________________
Every morning is the dawn of a new error

 

[Jiminy]

Before I buy another power supply, I have some new developments. Now I have finally successfully loaded XP. I have a few sparatic error messages, but it seems fine for now. The errprs are with iexplorer. Do you still think it could be the power supply?

If so, why 400 watts? The current one is 250 watts. I have 2 HDD's (one master, one slave), a CD ROM and CD Burner, floppy, mouse, keyboard, monitor (regular stuff). Is there a specific power supply to get?

 

[Chum]

P4s need at least 350 watts...Try to get a Sparkle it is the best PS at reasonable prices.