I'm having some problems with my compuiter rebooting everytime I try and run WOW after a certain time period which varies sometimes it's better than others.I'm pretty sure that it's a problem with power brownouts just for a second but it's enough to throw my computer seeing that WOW requires a lot of it's resources to work properly.Currently I'm trying to get my power company to FIX the problem or if they can't to donate me a UPS.
Until I can get some results will these random resets damage my computer if I continue trying to play?
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If you're absolutely positive that the power is causing your problems then...
Not wanting to scare you but, power brownouts can cause a lot of damage to PC's. Everything from power supply to motherboard to cd-rom drives can be damaged.
You may want to check you RAM and hard drive to make sure that it's not a hardware issue first.
Good tools in this thread for you to test RAM (memtest) and HDD (seatools).
EDIT: Dyslexia.
Edited, Sat Jul 23 06:00:55 2005 by blowfin
Not wanting to scare you but, power brownouts can cause a lot of damage to PC's. Everything from power supply to motherboard to cd-rom drives can be damaged.
You may want to check you RAM and hard drive to make sure that it's not a hardware issue first.
Good tools in this thread for you to test RAM (memtest) and HDD (seatools).
EDIT: Dyslexia.
Edited, Sat Jul 23 06:00:55 2005 by blowfin
Resets won't hurt you, but a power surge might.
Look into getting a UPS battery backup. They click right on when the power goes out so thecomputer doesn't restart. Do your lights blink out when your comp resets? It might be an overheating or hardware issue.
Look into getting a UPS battery backup. They click right on when the power goes out so thecomputer doesn't restart. Do your lights blink out when your comp resets? It might be an overheating or hardware issue.
If your not running a temperature monitor I suggest getting one.
CPU overheating is a common cause for random reseting issues.
If your computer is in a closed in area (like under your desk) move it into a more open area and remove the cover and see if the problem continues. Also check to make sure your fans are running properly.
Also blowfin has a good point, as does highRfrequenC. Get a stress test program and a BackUPS surge protector.
CPU overheating is a common cause for random reseting issues.
If your computer is in a closed in area (like under your desk) move it into a more open area and remove the cover and see if the problem continues. Also check to make sure your fans are running properly.
Also blowfin has a good point, as does highRfrequenC. Get a stress test program and a BackUPS surge protector.
I'm pretty sure it's the computer since I've just about had the thing taken apart and put back together.Also it works at my friend's place it's just when I get it home that the problems start.I run 2 surge protectors and a voltage filter so it's just about impossible for spikes to get through....
Edited, Sat Jul 23 05:46:32 2005 by ozwwjd
Edited, Sat Jul 23 05:46:32 2005 by ozwwjd
Quote:
Also it works at my friend's place it's just when I get it home that the problems start.
Have you tried the machine at different power points around your house?
If it's rebooting at other power outlets in your house then you're on the right track getting the power company to look into it.
Quote:
Look into getting a UPS battery backup.
That's very good advice if you want to make sure your PC will be ok in the short term. Surge protectors and filters won't help you if there's a brown out but a UPS will keep your PC on.
For the annoyane factor of the computer restarting alone, it's worth it ; ).
Trying putting it closer to an air conditioning vent too.
A few degrees can make a big differnce in how quickly the computer can get heat out.
A few degrees can make a big differnce in how quickly the computer can get heat out.
Already done.It's about 5 feet from my air-conditioning unit that I had installed cause at one time I thought it was the fan playing up.Also due to my continual complaints they finally installed a device on my meter which measure the power and records it so they can look at it later which confirmed my worst fears, I saw it drop to 39% of the total supply one time just for a second so I'll have to keep on them to fix it...
Edited, Sun Jul 24 08:38:17 2005 by ozwwjd
Edited, Sun Jul 24 08:38:17 2005 by ozwwjd
How old are you surge protectors? If they are the generic, el cheapo ones, (i.e. not a UPS), they may not be working properly.
They way the common surge protectors work is through ceramic disks. Each time there is a surge, the disk with "blow up" to absorb the shock. If you paid less than $50 for one, you probably have a small number of disks. Last I checked, most of the time, the surge protectors are only good for about 10 to 15 power surges. After that, they are simply power strips with 0 protection. Of course, with random resetting, as was mentioned, it probably isn't surges that are the problem. Most like spikes/brownouts.
Do your lights flicker when this happens? That is a sure sign of a power spike.
Edit: Make sure your computer is on a different circuit than your AC. Monitors use up a LOT of juice, just like the AC unit. Both being on the same circuit will drastically increase the chance of brownout.
Edited, Mon Jul 25 18:30:48 2005 by tonmaitre
They way the common surge protectors work is through ceramic disks. Each time there is a surge, the disk with "blow up" to absorb the shock. If you paid less than $50 for one, you probably have a small number of disks. Last I checked, most of the time, the surge protectors are only good for about 10 to 15 power surges. After that, they are simply power strips with 0 protection. Of course, with random resetting, as was mentioned, it probably isn't surges that are the problem. Most like spikes/brownouts.
Do your lights flicker when this happens? That is a sure sign of a power spike.
Edit: Make sure your computer is on a different circuit than your AC. Monitors use up a LOT of juice, just like the AC unit. Both being on the same circuit will drastically increase the chance of brownout.
Edited, Mon Jul 25 18:30:48 2005 by tonmaitre
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