Hi All,

I have an old Dell XPS T600 pc from 1999 that reboots randomly. It is
running Windows XP Professional and is a 600 Mhz Pentium III. I'm
pretty sure that it is not infected with a virus. In the past I read
on the internet that with old computers random reboots are frequently
caused by failing power supplies. So I replaced the power supply with
a replacement part from Dell Support, but unfortunately the reboots
are continuing.

Could anyone tell me, what are some other causes of random reboots in
old PC hardware if the cause is not a virus or a problem with the
power supply?

Thanks

Previously clarkbt36 (AT) optonline (DOT) net wrote:
Failed CPU cooling, other cooling falure and defect mainboard.

Arno

On Feb 24, 8:42 pm, Arno Wagner <m... (AT) privacy (DOT) net> wrote:
Thank you very much. I'll have to look into these things. Again
thanks.

On Feb 24, 8:42 pm, Arno Wagner <m... (AT) privacy (DOT) net> wrote:
Arno (or anyone),

Do you know whether there is testing software available that can test
for problems with motherboards?
The software would have to work with my particular motherboard (from a
Dell XPS T600 600 Mhz Pentium III).
I would prefer that the software be very thorough, since if the
motherboard has a problem, I would like to get it fixed,
rather than junking the computer. I don't really have much hope that
such software exists, but I'm hoping it does.

Also, how could I test for failures in cooling (I need tests and
steps).

Again, I'm very thankful for any and all help. You guys are great!

Previously clarkbt36 (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
Not really. Mainboards are too different and for problems in tha analog
part, you need special testing equipment, i.e. the mainboard cannot test
itself.

Look whether all fans are spinning, check for dust, use an
IR-Thermometer to check temperatures of components.

Arno

On Feb 25, 6:41 am, Arno Wagner <m... (AT) privacy (DOT) net> wrote:
Instead, is there anything I can look for to narrow the problem down
to the motherboard, if that's actually the problem. I mean, are there
any distinctive signs or symptoms of such a motherboard problem, that
would definitely point the finger at the motherboard as being the
culprit?
would be excessive and abnormal? I assume I would mainly be concerned
with checking the temperatures of any ICs or resistors/capacitors --
is this correct?

Thanks

On Feb 25, 8:49 pm, clarkb... (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
It is a Dell. Therefore Dell puts comprehensive hardware
diagnostics for your motherboard and for rest of the computer on hard
drive and on web site.

Since you don't even define the problem or symptoms, then other are
posting 'try this and try that' replies. Take every 'try this'
suggesting and multiply that number by tens. Numerous possible
reasons for failure given so little facts and numbers.

For example, what did the system (event) log report? What does
device manager report? What are system power supply voltages when
system is accessing all peripherals simultaneous as described in part
of the procedure "When your computer dies without warning....."
starting 6 Feb 2007 in the newsgroup alt.windows-xp at:
http://tinyurl.com/yvf9vh

Previously clarkbt36 (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
Some signs may be present, but other than that, diagnosis is
basically by elemination. One sign is exploded/bulging capacitors.
Sme picturea are here:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=195

This problem can be repaired by replacing the capacitors
(same or higher voltage, same capacity, need to be low or ultra
low ESR types). This can be done with amateur equipment by anybody
with solid soldering skills.

An other is that if you operate a minimal system (PSU, Mainboard,
graphics card) and the crashes persists with different PSUs and
different graphics cards it likely is the mainboard.

Mainly the chipset (large chips). If hotter than 60C or so, there likely
is a problem in a system this old.

One thing I forgot is a RAM test. Do that first: Run memtest86+
(google) for a day or so. If it finds defects, these are likely your
problem.

Arno

Previously Jerry Peters <jerry (AT) example (DOT) invalid> wrote:
Not really. They are unlikely to cause reboots. Hangs are a real
possibility though. To be on the safe side, do check them.

Arno

<clarkbt36 (AT) optonline (DOT) net> wrote

Reboots in XP also occur if any fatal error is encountered (unless it has
been explicitly disabled). These are what would have been 'General
Protection Faults' on the older Windows 9x series OSs. The error details
are available via the 'Administrative Tools' in the Control Panel once the
system has rebooted.