Area Computer Takes Scheduled Break
May 25, 2010 1:51 PM Subscribe
My computer reboots itself every 2 hours like clockwork. What's up with that? Minutia under the fold.
I have been trying to diagnose this self-rebooting issue for a few weeks, so I've run through all the usual suspects. I reformatted and installed Windows 7, replaced the ram and CPU, thoroughly blew all the dust out of fans, reseated every card and replugged every cable. I thought about overheating so I've been monitoring the temp, and it's well within normal range. It doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing, it will reboot whether I'm gaming or standing across the room. There are no weird noises, it doesn't freeze, it doesn't even try to come back in safe mode, it just restarts nice and clean as though I asked it to.
Out of ideas, I started documenting the time of the reboots, and what do you know? 10:25, 12:25, 2:25... You could set your watch by it. So now I'm suspecting there's a setting in the BIOS or somewhere that's causing this. Any ideas?
I have been trying to diagnose this self-rebooting issue for a few weeks, so I've run through all the usual suspects. I reformatted and installed Windows 7, replaced the ram and CPU, thoroughly blew all the dust out of fans, reseated every card and replugged every cable. I thought about overheating so I've been monitoring the temp, and it's well within normal range. It doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing, it will reboot whether I'm gaming or standing across the room. There are no weird noises, it doesn't freeze, it doesn't even try to come back in safe mode, it just restarts nice and clean as though I asked it to.
Out of ideas, I started documenting the time of the reboots, and what do you know? 10:25, 12:25, 2:25... You could set your watch by it. So now I'm suspecting there's a setting in the BIOS or somewhere that's causing this. Any ideas?
* Check the Windows Event Viewer to see if there are any application or system events which point to an automatic system restart.
* Verify what background processes are running following startup.
* Check your scheduled tasks
posted by seppyk at 1:56 PM on May 25, 2010
* Verify what background processes are running following startup.
* Check your scheduled tasks
posted by seppyk at 1:56 PM on May 25, 2010
When I had involuntary reboot problems it turned out to be a dying power supply unit. The exact punctuality of your reboots suggests this is not the source of your issue, but if you have a spare power supply try swapping that out.
posted by chaff at 2:01 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by chaff at 2:01 PM on May 25, 2010
If you reformatted from scratch, and not upgraded, it's not going to be a software issue.
Try this: Leave the PC off (and unplugged) for about 3 hours, then turn it back on. See if the timing changes, or if it still reboots on the 25s.
Is it plugged into anything that might control the power? A UPS, or a power outlet that is controlled somehow? Or a power strip that may have a flaw?
posted by GJSchaller at 2:04 PM on May 25, 2010
Try this: Leave the PC off (and unplugged) for about 3 hours, then turn it back on. See if the timing changes, or if it still reboots on the 25s.
Is it plugged into anything that might control the power? A UPS, or a power outlet that is controlled somehow? Or a power strip that may have a flaw?
posted by GJSchaller at 2:04 PM on May 25, 2010
For the BIOS, see if you can reset them to factory defaults to wipe any settings that may be causing this, or load a newer version if needed.
posted by GJSchaller at 2:05 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by GJSchaller at 2:05 PM on May 25, 2010
Best answer: You're running the windows 7 release candidate. The RC reboots every 2 hours. After June 1, it won't boot at all.
See here.
posted by cosmac at 2:09 PM on May 25, 2010 [11 favorites]
See here.
posted by cosmac at 2:09 PM on May 25, 2010 [11 favorites]
Rule out software by going to Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information, click software environment and look at Windows Error Reporting and see if you have any software errors at the times you notice the restarts.
Second, although the probability is very low that it would be timed like it is, if the computer is on or near (<>
Good luck!
posted by occidental at 2:11 PM on May 25, 2010
Second, although the probability is very low that it would be timed like it is, if the computer is on or near (<>
Good luck!
posted by occidental at 2:11 PM on May 25, 2010
I think Cosmac has hit the nail on the head.
posted by Gainesvillain at 2:18 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by Gainesvillain at 2:18 PM on May 25, 2010
Go to the control panel and click on "Windows Anytime Upgrade". The current version you're running will be displayed in the upper right corner. If it says that it's the release candidate, then Cosmac has given you your answer.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:30 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:30 PM on May 25, 2010
Response by poster: That sure sounds like it. Thanks, Cosmac!
posted by Freyja at 7:04 PM on May 25, 2010
posted by Freyja at 7:04 PM on May 25, 2010
There's a 90 trial of Windows 7 Enterprise available from Microsoft if you're sick of the reboots.
posted by pombiki at 1:24 AM on May 26, 2010
posted by pombiki at 1:24 AM on May 26, 2010
The problem with the 90 day trial is that you're just putting off the rebooting and reinstallation pain for another 3 months.
At the end of that period, he/she is going to have to wipe and re-install as its highly unlikely that they'll want to purchase a licence for the Enterprise given that Home Premium is perfectly fine (although I do like the remote desktop in Ultimate).
My recommendation would be to just buy Home Premium and save yourself all the hassle of wiping and re-install the operating system, applications and all data down the line.
posted by mr_silver at 4:42 AM on May 26, 2010
At the end of that period, he/she is going to have to wipe and re-install as its highly unlikely that they'll want to purchase a licence for the Enterprise given that Home Premium is perfectly fine (although I do like the remote desktop in Ultimate).
My recommendation would be to just buy Home Premium and save yourself all the hassle of wiping and re-install the operating system, applications and all data down the line.
posted by mr_silver at 4:42 AM on May 26, 2010
Good point, mr_silver. It is really worth it to buy Windows 7 and not having to worry about the trial expiring.
posted by pombiki at 3:10 AM on May 28, 2010
posted by pombiki at 3:10 AM on May 28, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Gainesvillain at 1:54 PM on May 25, 2010