PC keep rebooting

[Wossi]

Just built a new media pc for my parents and after failing to lock the chip down properly ( teach me to rush) I finally got it installing vista 64bit (don't say a word). Only problem is the damn thing keeps rebooting on me. Had to install it twice but now everytime time I turn it on it just restarts randomly on me Anyone got any idea why it's doing this as it's beginning to really getting on my nerves as I've been trying to get it up and running all night

Don't tell me that trying to run it with the chip not locked down properly I've somehow buggered it up

[Mark]

Quite possible - particularly if there's been any damage to the pins as a result.

Other than that, could be the motherboard or RAM.

[Admiral Huddy]

I doubt it's pin damage tbh because despite peoples nerves about installing CPU's they are quite difficult to install incorrectly and I doubt the PC would even boot. You'd almost certainly get POST errors.

My first check would be memory voltages and timings. Check the recmommended settings have been applied.

Check also that all your power is connected and stable, making sure each device is secure.

Are your running the correct FSB?

Check for BIOS updates. Maybe the Motherboard doesn't recognise the CPU correctly.

What is the full spec. inc PSU

[Desmo]

It's not shutting down due to heat is it? After it shuts down, quickly turn it on again and check the temps in BIOS. Might give a clue, or at least rule out the heat issue.

[Daz]

By restarting do you mean Windows shutting itself down, Windows blue screening and self resetting (cant remember if that's the default in Vista), or the thing appearing to just drop dead and reset itself without warning?

[Wossi]

Most of the time it just restarts. A couple of times it has blue screened. Spec is below:

Memory - OCZ 2GB Kit (2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 CL 4-4-4-15 PLATINUM XTC

M/B - Abit An-M2

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ (2.1GHz) Socket AM2 Energy Efficient L2 1MB (2x512KB)

Apparently the ram needs 2.1v to run properly, but if I use safe mode I can get into windows surely it can't be that can it?

[killerkebab]

Try to turn the self-reset on blue screen feature in Windows if you can (not sure where you'd find it in Vista), that way you can tell us what the error is when the PC dies

[Justsomebloke]

I'd try it with just 1 stick of ram in it. I always supspect the ram in these situations but then I am proper confident with my heatsink mounting on my chips. If your confident your heatsink is fitted properly & it's not a thermal shut down then I'd bet it's summit to do with the ram.
Try 1 stick, If it sorts it then try the 2 but in different slots. Ignore the manual for slot selection, Manuals suck juice from camels butts.

[Daz]

Upload whatever's in C:\Windows\Minidump and I'll take a look at the dump for you, but it does sound like some sort of hardware instability.

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by Daz

I'll take a look at the dump for you

Dr Dazilian McKeith.