Attn: Computer ExpertsFollow

0_o strange.. you sure it's a monthly cycle thing.. could be a bug (my word for virus) that only kicks in on a certain day of the month...

what steps have you taken, such as virus scan, spyware scan, etc.. etc..

I have done all that. I know it is really odd. It doesn't necessarily happen on the same day of the month, just real real real infrequently.

My OS has a firewall and my router has a firewall, I have Norton Professional, run spybot weekly, have stopzilla for popups, defrag frequently, etc.

I would check the automated software first. If you can, try running each thing manually to see what the outcome is.

Hmm, I will have to look and see if I have any scheduled tasks when I get home (I'm at work). That is a possibility. My temp monitor and motherboard monitor both say I am just fine as far as temp goes too, I should be for all the damn fans I have. I have a 680watt powersupply so I know I'm not close on that either.

How many fans?

Also, does this happen only while playing eq2?

What graphics card and sound card are you using?

What processor/motherboard combination?


If by chance you ARE drawing close to max power, extended play in EQ2 can bring the power usage of the video card WAY up which could cause a "brown-out" type of effect where your system just doesnt have enough power to maintain itself. If that happens you might experience a reboot as you explained. It still thinks it's on but because it didn't have enough power to keep itself going devices failed and - *plop*... *beep beep*

Maybe it's your computer trying to fly away then?

(I keed, I keed!)

No, really, that's a **** load of fans. hehe

Why so many? Are you overclocking?

Edited, Tue Jan 18 16:15:57 2005 by Lewskinslayer

I've seen something like that happen before, it ended up being some obscure virus/trojan that required special cleaning.
Make sure you keep your antivirus/spyware software up-to-date (of course) and also try some of the other stand-alone virus scanners. I've seen some of the web-based applets pick up things that a normal install doesn't (though I use AVG not Norton).

If you aren't overclocking remove a couple fans.

I would say 1 frontal intake fan, 1 rear exhaust fan, 1 graphics card fan and a processor fan. Unless you are running a VERY, and I mean VERY high speed drive, forget that one. If you have temp monitors (which I think I saw you post that you did) then I wouldn't worry about it unless you see a large spike in case temp.

Why do you suggest removing the fans?

You might wanna get a new Power Supply

To me anytime I run in to a problem such as this I look too in-depth when the answer was right before my eyes the whole time. I suggest looking at the obviously stuff first. I’d double check the cords, and I’ve had a power strip do something like that for me before. Try a different one. I had to say it because I’m guilty of not following my own advice.

Anytime you get a reboot with no software errors it will end up being hardware. I would not rule out the power supply but also you should open your case and look around the CPU at the capacitors. Check if any of the tops have a tan or brownish color spot on the tops like something busting through the tops, also look for capacitors where the tops are not perfectly flat (note some will have an imprinted + stamped into the tops. If you see any that look like this then your board will need servicing or replacing as they are bad. I have had a few systems do exactly the same thing and it turned out the capacitors for the power regulation on board were bad, cause the same inconsistant reboots.


-E