XP install reboots random no reason

[Robert Johnson]

I have a Dell system that I formated and clean installed
Windows XP Home edition on. Now at various times it will
randomly reboot - like you prese the reset button. I have
installed 29 upgrade patches since 5/19. I have
downloaded video drivers (from the OEM)per bug report
feedback. Still having problems today 3 times. Once in
Word, one in Outlook and once just sitting at a blank
desktop screen.
HELP!

[Alvin A Brown]

Hello

Well consider replacing your power supply, that could be party
of your problem.

Robert Johnson wrote:

> I have a Dell system that I formated and clean installed
> Windows XP Home edition on. Now at various times it will
> randomly reboot - like you prese the reset button. I have
> installed 29 upgrade patches since 5/19. I have
> downloaded video drivers (from the OEM)per bug report
> feedback. Still having problems today 3 times. Once in
> Word, one in Outlook and once just sitting at a blank
> desktop screen.
> HELP!

[R. C. White]

Hi, Robert.

It could be hardware problems. Those could be anything from power supply,
as Alvin suggested, to heat buildup, to loose connections, or who knows what
else.

If it is a software problem, then you can start to track it down by changing
the default setting for "what to do on System failure". The default is to
"Automatically restart", which fixes many problems, but leaves us with no
clue about problems that it can't fix. To change the setting, go to System
Properties | Advanced | Startup and Recovery Settings and remove the check
from that box.

Next time, instead of rebooting, your computer should halt with a BSOD (Blue
Screen of Death) full of cryptic codes. You'll still have to reboot (using
your Reset button), but you'll have plenty of time to write down all those
codes and post them here so that some guru (not me!) can interpret them and
point you in the right direction.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP

"Robert Johnson" > wrote in message
...
> I have a Dell system that I formated and clean installed
> Windows XP Home edition on. Now at various times it will
> randomly reboot - like you prese the reset button. I have
> installed 29 upgrade patches since 5/19. I have
> downloaded video drivers (from the OEM)per bug report
> feedback. Still having problems today 3 times. Once in
> Word, one in Outlook and once just sitting at a blank
> desktop screen.
> HELP!