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re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm Posted by C K (6910 messages posted) Primary reasons for shutdown and restart is heat build up, due to a build up of dust in the heatsinks, a fan that is not running at full speed or has failed, and/or a powersupply/hardware issue. Check the Event Viewer for errors or a message that Windows restarted due to an unknown cause which can be due to hardware or software issues. If you see no reference to why it shutdown and only see entries when Windows restarted, you have in all probability, a hardware issue that will require knowledgeable troubleshooting procedures and a check for a heat/PSU problem(s). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:03 pm Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) The first time it shut down I did open the CPU up and blow it out. I also checked the fans and they were running seemingly fine. Where do I find the Event Viewer? Thanks! Lynn On Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 12:52 pm, C K wrote: >Primary reasons for shutdown and restart is heat build up, due to a build up of dust >in the heatsinks, a fan that is not running at full speed or has failed, and/or a >powersupply/hardware issue. > >Check the Event Viewer for errors or a message that Windows restarted due to an unknown >cause which can be due to hardware or software issues. If you see no reference to >why it shutdown and only see entries when Windows restarted, you have in all probability, >a hardware issue that will require knowledgeable troubleshooting procedures and a >check for a heat/PSU problem(s). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:06 pm Posted by C K (6910 messages posted) Start> Control Panel> Administrator Tools> Event Veiwer then click on SYSTEM LOG and check the APPLICATION LOG. System Log will contain the INFO for shutdowns and restarts. App log may show application error that "could" be a problem, but keep in mind that a heat build up when a heatsink isn't bonded to a processor, or a bad componant like a PSU can cause random shutdowns without seemly to be hot. If the processor loses it's bond to the heatsink, the motherboard underneath will be hotter than normal, while the heatsink will be cooler than it would normally be. In systems where the BIOS controls the fan speed, the CPU fan will probably be running faster than normal when the machine sits idle. Over all, I would suspect a hardware issue, that can extend well beyond just these two possibilities. They can also be the hardest to track down IME. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:46 pm Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Well, I found the System Log and there are quite a few errors but I haven't a clue what they mean. :-( How does one go about diagnosing a hardware problem? On Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:06 pm, C K wrote: >Start> Control Panel> Administrator Tools> Event Veiwer then click on SYSTEM LOG >and check the APPLICATION LOG. System Log will contain the INFO for shutdowns and >restarts. App log may show application error that "could" be a problem, but keep >in mind that a heat build up when a heatsink isn't bonded to a processor, or a bad >componant like a PSU can cause random shutdowns without seemly to be hot. If the >processor loses it's bond to the heatsink, the motherboard underneath will be hotter >than normal, while the heatsink will be cooler than it would normally be. In systems >where the BIOS controls the fan speed, the CPU fan will probably be running faster >than normal when the machine sits idle. > >Over all, I would suspect a hardware issue, that can extend well beyond just these >two possibilities. They can also be the hardest to track down IME. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 3:21 pm Posted by alex (2812 messages posted) I would look at the power supply box,they do accumulate more dust and dirt than the rest.Take a flashlight,look inside and if needs cleaning take it out of its cover and clean it.I use vacuum cleaner as a blower,but don't let the fan spin. On Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 1:03 pm, Lynn wrote: >The first time it shut down I did open the CPU up and blow it out. I also checked >the fans and they were running seemingly fine. Where do I find the Event Viewer? >Thanks! >Lynn > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 10:22 am Posted by Mozark (255 messages posted) stick a pencil or non-conductive object between fan blades to prevent spin [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 10:13 pm Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) Pleae do not go into the power supply. That can be dangerous. Check the manufacturers site for a bootable diagnostic cd. Run a complete system test. Go to the link to Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure. Post back the error message (if any) verbatim. http://pcsupport.about.com/.../disautorestart.htm IMPORTANT: Test in safe mode whenever possible and keep the unit working -- Memtest, copy alot of files, play a large game, etc. Does it fail? Double click the error entries (after re-boot) in the log and then highlight and copy (CTRL-C) the description for posting here. Note the time of shut down and the time of the errors. Document what you are running whenever it happens and post back. Run Memtest over and over and over ... [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:47 am Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Okay, here's what I've done this week: Memtest86+ - memory is fine. SeaTools for Windows - all tests passed but Long Drive Self Test - says failed. (However, it was pointed out to me that this test can be inaccurate because Windows is running in the background.) So I downloaded SeaTools DOS and burned to CD. Can NOT get it to work. Boot to CD, Accept/Do Not Accept screen comes up. Will not let me reply. I've unplugged my USB keyboard and mouse and plugged in PS ones. Up/Down arrows do not work either. Any thoughts? Been keeping track of when shutdowns occur and checking the Event Viewer. It never says "error", just "information". Something I notice has been pretty consistent is the couple of programs running: gusvc, QBCF Monitor, Intuit Update. The only shutdowns I've had this week were 3 right in a row on Monday, then none until Saturday. Another 3 then. gusvc message: The description for Event ID ( 0 ) in Source ( gusvc ) cannot be found. The local computer may not have the necessary registry information or message DLL files to display messages from a remote computer. You may be able to use the /AUXSOURCE= flag to retrieve this description; see Help and Support for details. The following information is part of the event: Service stopped. Intuit Message: Service started successfully. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. QBCF Monitor Message: Service started successfully. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. I'd say I've "usually" got Thunderbird running when it shuts down...but not always. Open for suggestions! Thanks! Lynn On Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 10:13 pm, Jacob6601 wrote: >Pleae do not go into the power supply. That can be dangerous. > >Check the manufacturers site for a bootable diagnostic cd. Run a complete system >test. > >Go to the link to Disable the Automatic Restart on System Failure. Post back the >error message (if any) verbatim. http://pcsupport.about.com/.../disautorestart.htm > >IMPORTANT: Test in safe mode whenever possible and keep the unit working -- Memtest, >copy alot of files, play a large game, etc. Does it fail? > >Double click the error entries (after re-boot) in the log and then highlight and >copy (CTRL-C) the description for posting here. Note the time of shut down and the >time of the errors. > >Document what you are running whenever it happens and post back. > >Run Memtest over and over and over ... [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 6:24 am Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) I would disable Google Updater Service (gusvc), maybe even the toolbar (if you crash after testing): http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Toolbar... It sounds like you are at home (1 user), so disable the QBCF Monitor: http://community.intuit.com/post/detail/cEwySoIqer3B4facfAtdLo I am not sure which Intuit product you have, but I would turn Update off there also. I see no reason to "update" that type of software -- unless they make an anti-virus app I am unaware of. --- Test here. If it works and you really want to, you can try enabling the Updaters, but I would leave them off. You can always manually update if you feel the need. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 7:38 am Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Thank you Jacob. I've disabled gusvc and QBCF Monitor. I've also set Quickbooks (Pro 08) to not update automatically. Test Here??? (Was there supposed to be a link?) Thanks! Lynn On Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 6:24 am, Jacob6601 wrote: >I would disable Google Updater Service (gusvc), maybe even the toolbar (if you crash >after testing): >http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Toolbar... > >It sounds like you are at home (1 user), so disable the QBCF Monitor: >http://community.intuit.com/post/detail/cEwySoIqer3B4facfAtdLo > >I am not sure which Intuit product you have, but I would turn Update off there also. >I see no reason to "update" that type of software -- unless they make an anti-virus >app I am unaware of. > >--- Test here. If it works and you really want to, you can try enabling the Updaters, >but I would leave them off. You can always manually update if you feel the need. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:38 pm Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) No, I simply meant to test after completing the steps. And by test I meant to just run the pc normally. Hopefully this will fix you up. If the problem is fixed, I would most likely suspect the Google Updater Service (gusvc). Keep this in mind as it (gusvc) will probably be re-enabled if you update the Google toolbar to a newer version. Hopefully though, they will by then have the conflict with the RPC service fixed. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:53 pm Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't sure. Keeping my fingers crossed that this fixes it up. I should know within a week I'm figuring. Is this a known conflict with Google? I wonder why it just started affecting my system. Thanks for your help! Lynn On Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:38 pm, Jacob6601 wrote: >No, I simply meant to test after completing the steps. And by test I meant to just >run the pc normally. Hopefully this will fix you up. > >If the problem is fixed, I would most likely suspect the Google Updater Service (gusvc). >Keep this in mind as it (gusvc) will probably be re-enabled if you update the Google >toolbar to a newer version. Hopefully though, they will by then have the conflict >with the RPC service fixed. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 8:05 pm Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) Hard to say. The non-lethal problem may be wide-spread (but unknown) as dehalley suggested in the google forum. If this fixes your lethal problem, my guess would be the gusvc/RPC conflict and a third factor, be it your hardware configuration or another app you are running. ================================================================================ If the problem persists, it almost has to be hardware. And, as others have noted, intermittent failures are hard to find. Preliminary steps you can take: 1. I would not suspect heat at this point. Although random, heat failures almost always become more frequent. 2. Make sure all cables to the pc remain absolutely stationary. Route the mouse/keyboard cables to the other side of the pc and tape them down so they do not nudge any other cables. 3. Check for PSU overload by pulling all usb devices off the pc, except the printer. 4. Any component sending an intermittent short to the bus can cause a shutdown, and PSU overload is still a consideration here. Start pulling/disabling any unneeded components from inside the case. 5. Once down to a stripped pc (mouse/keyboard, video and NIC), if you have no spare parts you are basically stuck. You could replace everything and still find you have a bad main board. Repair shop or new pc. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 4:24 pm Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Hardware, like a possible mouse problem? It just shut down on me a few minutes ago. Here's the message: The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load: i8042prt For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. That's for the USB mouse/keyboard? I just updated my mouse driver...it kept freezing at Wdf01000.sys. I'd have to hard boot to restart. Anything else I can/should do? Thanks! Lynn On Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:53 pm, Lynn wrote: >Thanks for clarifying. I wasn't sure. Keeping my fingers crossed that this fixes >it up. I should know within a week I'm figuring. Is this a known conflict with >Google? I wonder why it just started affecting my system. >Thanks for your help! >Lynn > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Friday, May 29, 2009 at 2:12 am Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) Okay, Wdf01000.sys seems to be a Thinkpad/logitech Trackpoint driver. The i8042prt driver is for a PS/2 mouse. If you try anything below, try only one at a time: It would help if you could find a different external mouse and keyboard to try, preferably ps/2 (round plug) if you have jacks. Shut down, pull the usb plug and plug in the other two and then start up. Post the make and model of the pc. I will be looking for the following information at ibm (assuming that is a Thinkpad): 1. The original mouse/keyboard drivers for re-install. If you find them first, download (to the desktop will be easiest) and then disconnect the external mouse and keyboard. Re-boot and then install. 2. Disabling the Trackpoint and/or touchpad and/or entire laptop keyboard via bios. ---------------------------------------------------------------- If you look at the following link, do not try anything there. I merely posted it so I do not need to look again if we need to fix things the hard way. ms links on I8042PRT.SYS errors = http://social.technet.microsoft... [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Friday, May 29, 2009 at 6:35 am Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Okay, I may have caused this error myself. When I was trying to run SeaTools DOS I was unable to "accept" the terms, etc. using my mouse or keyboard (USB). My kid (yea, I didn't know this) said USB is disabled in DOS. So I plugged in an old keyboard and mouse (PS2). Have since unplugged and gone back to USB. Should I still try using them? System info: Intel Pentium 3.20GHz 896 MB Ram Lynn On Friday, May 29, 2009 at 2:12 am, Jacob6601 wrote: >Okay, Wdf01000.sys seems to be a Thinkpad/logitech Trackpoint driver. The i8042prt >driver is for a PS/2 mouse. > >If you try anything below, try only one at a time: > >It would help if you could find a different external mouse and keyboard to try, preferably >ps/2 (round plug) if you have jacks. Shut down, pull the usb plug and plug in the >other two and then start up. > >Post the make and model of the pc. I will be looking for the following information >at ibm (assuming that is a Thinkpad): >1. The original mouse/keyboard drivers for re-install. If you find them first, download >(to the desktop will be easiest) and then disconnect the external mouse and keyboard. >Re-boot and then install. >2. Disabling the Trackpoint and/or touchpad and/or entire laptop keyboard via bios. >---------------------------------------------------------------- >If you look at the following link, do not try anything there. I merely posted it >so I do not need to look again if we need to fix things the hard way. > >ms links on I8042PRT.SYS errors = http://social.technet.microsoft... [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Friday, May 29, 2009 at 7:29 am Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) No, disregard my last post and continue waiting (and hoping). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Friday, May 29, 2009 at 8:09 am Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) Okay. Hoping here. Lynn On Friday, May 29, 2009 at 7:29 am, Jacob6601 wrote: >No, disregard my last post and continue waiting (and hoping). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 8:54 pm Posted by Lynn (30 messages posted) It's happened a couple more times. Something interesting....I turned off the Quick Books updater and the Turbo Tax updater also. If I go into Task Manager I see IntuitUpdateService.exe running. I have double and triple checked that I turned updater off in both. Any thoughts? Lynn (IntuitUpdate is running per Event Log when machine shuts down ) On Friday, May 29, 2009 at 7:29 am, Jacob6601 wrote: >No, disregard my last post and continue waiting (and hoping). [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: System randomly shuts down and restarts Friday, June 5, 2009 at 10:26 am Posted by Jacob6601 (2174 messages posted) No, there is a setting you are missing, but I doubt that is causing the shutdowns. You need to look into the hardware now. You should be able to get through #3 in the list by yourself. If you need to go through #4, you can try disabling the devices in BIOS and the device manager. After that you may need help. http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/1243393539 If you do take it in, the Repair shop needs the box only. Draw a picture of your plugs and their colors, then pull them and leave everything else sit. Take a copy of this url so they can look through the thread if they want. Expect to pay for an hour of labor regardless. You may post back for direction after diagnosis, but general pointers: 1. $100 for a psu should not scare you. A new pc will have the same (psu) as yours (or smaller) and wear the same, if that is the problem. 2. Video cards vary widely in price. Your pc use, I think, depends solely on the resolution/monitor you are using. You should be able to get by on the cheapest they have, unless you have a new flat panel/widescreen. Just do not get sold a $200+ gaming card. 3. A Motherboard or cpu failure should make you seriously consider a new pc. 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