Computer keep on restarting itself

[chen0289]

2 yr old hp desktop with win7 quad core

No new hardware or software added recently, when I try and turn the computer on it makes the regular starting noise then suddenly shut down for 2 seconds then restart again goes on and on.

I opened the case and cleaned all the fans got most of the dust out. All the ram is plugged in.

Not too sure what to look for now? Another site said it might be a virus? How am I suppose to get in safe mode if I can't even start the computer... If its a hardware issue how do I find out what needs to be replaced?

[StormFear]

Do you see any post boot message?
Make sure all the wire plugged in correctly especially the ones that supply powers to the motherboard

[xXxTehxXx]

Do you have the Q6600? I found the temps for the 6600 don't read correctly on my motherboard/speedfan. Try seeing what the temps are using real temp

[george__]

Another program to check temp is coretemp...
Also try and run memtest to check your memory :D

[thinfilms]

Is the computer overclocked? Sounds like its failing to OC. Try resetting BIOS?

[bluenote]

Could be a bad hard drive or power supply.

[chen0289]

Do you see any post boot message?
Make sure all the wire plugged in correctly especially the ones that supply powers to the motherboard

Don't see any msgs when I turn the computer on the screen is black, there is power to the monitor though but nothing shows up

[chen0289]

Do you have the Q6600? I found the temps for the 6600 don't read correctly on my motherboard/speedfan. Try seeing what the temps are using real temp

Think so, don't really remember the exact specs, don't have a temp gun...

[chen0289]

Is the computer overclocked? Sounds like its failing to OC. Try resetting BIOS?

Not overclocked, how can I reset the bios? I can't even see anything on the screen.

[chen0289]

Could be a bad hard drive or power supply.

I don't have another desktop to swap the parts, so I should replace the power supply and then hard drive? Would the computer even turn on if the power supply is bad?

[george__]

Not overclocked, how can I reset the bios? I can't even see anything on the screen.

What do you mean you can't see anything on the screen?

[chen0289]

What do you mean you can't see anything on the screen?

Step
1 Press power button
2 Usual start up noise
3. 2-3seconds computer turns off
4. 2-3 seconds later turns on again
And repeats step 2-4 over and over but nothing ever shows up on the monitor, the monitor is turned on though

[bluenote]

I don't have another desktop to swap the parts, so I should replace the power supply and then hard drive? Would the computer even turn on if the power supply is bad?

Start out by disconnecting things in the computer one by one and then turning on. If you at least get to the BIOS screen after removing something, then you have gained valuable knowledge and a clue. Report back.

For example, if you have two sticks of memory, remove 1, boot. Swap. boot. Disconnect hard drive power, boot. etc.

[george__]

Start out by disconnecting things in the computer one by one and then turning on. If you at least get to the BIOS screen after removing something, then you have gained valuable knowledge and a clue. Report back.

For example, if you have two sticks of memory, remove 1, boot. Swap. boot. Disconnect hard drive power, boot. etc.

Good luck!

[wilsonlam97]

Put in a new battery for your MOBO.

[lostintransit]

I am guessing this is out of warranty?
could be lots o things, since you don't see the bios its a bad thing. did you hit ESC when the computer is loading, sometimes the boot screen is hidden.
Like other posters said start removing as much as possible, remove all ram and dettach devices like hdd, dvd. The main aim is to see bios screen. If that pops up then you can start troubleshooting.
Next could be powersupply, worth replacing with a decent one , otherwise it could be the motherboard or cpu which means more $$
If the battery in the mobo need replacing it would tell you, you could remove the battery and power on to test it anyway
How much dust was in there? Did this start after a recent thunderstorm? COuld you post the computer specs if all else above fails, to see if it is worth replacing or possible./HP model

[gnuman]

Step
1 Press power button
2 Usual start up noise
3. 2-3seconds computer turns off
4. 2-3 seconds later turns on again
And repeats step 2-4 over and over but nothing ever shows up on the monitor, the monitor is turned on though

I have a similar issue with one of my built computers as well but it eventually boots up after I get annoyed at it. What you can try is unplug the computer press the power button and discharge it completely. Check to see if the power connector for the PSU is in properly.

When plugging back in the unit keep holding down the power button and release and turn it on and see if that works. Is there a separate graphics card or its the integrated one you have?

[willy]

I would start with the powersupply.

[OctaneChicken]

I've ran into a problem like that before where my power switch was a bit flakey, and when pressed sometimes stayed closed. Since the switch should only be momentarily you can try to use a different power switch or short the 2 pins(using a jumper, wire, screwdriver, etc...), for 1 second, on the motherboard to turn on the computer, to verify if it is the switch.

[chen0289]

I have a similar issue with one of my built computers as well but it eventually boots up after I get annoyed at it. What you can try is unplug the computer press the power button and discharge it completely. Check to see if the power connector for the PSU is in properly.

When plugging back in the unit keep holding down the power button and release and turn it on and see if that works. Is there a separate graphics card or its the integrated one you have?
tried the above still don't work, dont think i will ever get to bios like this, the monitor is still on standby mode, before the computer get power/signal to the monitor it restarts again.
the powersupply is a upgraded one 500w video card is a 5850

[chen0289]

I am guessing this is out of warranty?
could be lots o things, since you don't see the bios its a bad thing. did you hit ESC when the computer is loading, sometimes the boot screen is hidden.
Like other posters said start removing as much as possible, remove all ram and dettach devices like hdd, dvd. The main aim is to see bios screen. If that pops up then you can start troubleshooting.
Next could be powersupply, worth replacing with a decent one , otherwise it could be the motherboard or cpu which means more $$
If the battery in the mobo need replacing it would tell you, you could remove the battery and power on to test it anyway
How much dust was in there? Did this start after a recent thunderstorm? COuld you post the computer specs if all else above fails, to see if it is worth replacing or possible./HP model

out of warrany
no power goes to the monitor, so i dont think i can get to bios. If the battery in the mobo need replacing how will it tell me if I can't get the computer to start long enough to get to bios? there was a decent amount of dust, but its all cleaned now. Had a recent thunderstorm but its plugged into a belkin surge protector or whatever the term for it i. Dont really remember the specs its about 2yrs old, quad core 6600, 4gb ram 5850 card with 600gb, its enough for the games I play so didn't bother replacing anything except the video card.

im going to try removing different parts now, when i start the computer the fan for the power supply starts does it mean it can still be faulty?

[lostintransit]

yes could still be the powersuppy, but first remove all the ram and cables for harddrives, the video card you added, test.(there is on board video?)




out of warrany
no power goes to the monitor, so i dont think i can get to bios. If the battery in the mobo need replacing how will it tell me if I can't get the computer to start long enough to get to bios? there was a decent amount of dust, but its all cleaned now. Had a recent thunderstorm but its plugged into a belkin surge protector or whatever the term for it i. Dont really remember the specs its about 2yrs old, quad core 6600, 4gb ram 5850 card with 600gb, its enough for the games I play so didn't bother replacing anything except the video card.

im going to try removing different parts now, when i start the computer the fan for the power supply starts does it mean it can still be faulty?

[chen0289]

Start out by disconnecting things in the computer one by one and then turning on. If you at least get to the BIOS screen after removing something, then you have gained valuable knowledge and a clue. Report back.

For example, if you have two sticks of memory, remove 1, boot. Swap. boot. Disconnect hard drive power, boot. etc.

unplugged HD and all sticks of ram - no difference then before
plugged in HD and one stick of ram - no difference
unplugged previous ram and put it another one - no difference
unplugged video card - no difference

should I go buy another power supply? or replace the battery on the mobo?

[xalex0]

should I go buy another power supply? or replace the battery on the mobo?
I don't think that the battery can have anything to so with this. In my experience these symptoms indicate the failure of the PSU.