Random reboots

[theworldwithout]

Until yesterday my computer was running all fine and dandy...then I got an update notice from microsoft to patch explorer 8 and went ahead and did it.

Since then my computer has been randomly rebooting. It's not doing it constantly; since the update it's done it about 3 times.

Anyone know where I can go to figure out if it's just me or where I can report this problem? I would call up Dell and ask them about this, but I'm way out of my warranty and don't feel like having to renew it if I don't have to...

 

[Corny]

What do you mean by reboot?
Like in the middle of something the machine just powers off?
Or do you get the "shutting down" thing?

 

[seven2go]

What, if any, message do you get before it actually shuts down?
I experienced some weird shit about having to restart shortly after boot time, googled some of the shutdown phrase and found it had to do with Dr. Watson.
I disabled Dr. Watson and have had no trouble since.

(XP by the way)

 

[Telstra]

What do you mean by reboot?
Like in the middle of something the machine just powers off?
Or do you get the "shutting down" thing?

some times my computer just shuts down and restart while in the middle of something. Not sure what the problem is but i just keep ignoring it. Its window xp.

 

[theworldwithout]

Okay, sorry I didn't include much info in my first post, was kind of in a hurry.

First, I get a pop-up about generic host process for win32 services saying it needed to close. Eventually some time after that happens, usually not long, I get a countdown that pops saying that my computer needs to shutdown and it'll have a timer on it set for a minute. After it gets to zero my computer reboots and takes me back to the login screen.

I'm attaching two screenshots.

 

[star-warrior]

Do you suppose it might have anything to do with reading off the harddrive and encountering a faulty sector?

 

[theworldwithout]

And here's one more.

 

[Corny]

I get a countdown that pops saying that my computer needs to shutdown and it'll have a timer on it set for a minute. After it gets to zero my computer reboots and takes me back to the login screen.

when this happens try
start -> run and enter
cmd
press ok
then enter

shutdown -a

and you should be able to continue to work.

now update your virus scanner/firewall

 

[Telstra]

^That’s not good, T.

Often that’s just a heat problem that can be cured just by opening up the case and cleaning out all the fans, heat sinks, etc.

Then again, your motherboard might be on its way out.

Its quite a new computer.
Anyway, i will keep an eye on it and follow the advice.

 

[seven2go]

Here theworldwithout.......

http://www.google.com/search?client...ority\system&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8