How can I fix computer self-restarting ?

Simeon, July 2009

Have you got Windows Update set to install updates automatically. That is the recommended setting but it does sometimes result in unexpected and unwanted restarts. The only solution is to set Windows Update to notify, which is less secure but can be more convenient. You have to decide onthe best tradeoff.

Tony Brookes, July 2009

Two weeks ago my son's pedestal computer had this problem - would power up and shut down all by itself continuously with a 30 second frequency.

The Power Supply was failing and sending out Power Not OK signal to the motherboard so the motherboard was shutting everything down except for standby power.

Then after a little time to recover the PSU was changing its mind and sending Power OK to the motherboard and it would all start up again.

A new PSU is £40+ My original was 450W but I bought a known-good second-hand 350W supply for £20 from a small computer shop. Fitting took about 10 mins.

Computer tower PSUs are often over specified in wattage to allow for lots more peripherals to be added - you do not always need to fit a PSU of the same Wattage rating unless you've added lots of stuff - a hard disk for instance takes about 25W.

If this is Your problem it's a relatively easy fix.

Good luck...

Peccavi, July 2009