13. Computer Reboots On its OwnA computer that goes into a boot-up loop could be doing so for an amazing number of reasons. An automatic reboot on a Windows XP machine is often a sign that Windows has crashed, probably because a program caused a problem. To begin the troubleshooting, disable the utility that triggers the reboot. In the Control Panel, click on System, then on the Advanced tab. Go to “Startup and Recovery” and click on Settings. In the “System failure” section click on the box next to “Automatically restart” to disable the option. Next you will have to troubleshoot to find the program responsible. Get into XP’s System Configuration utility to stop all programs from loading into memory on bootup. As you use your PC, start only one program at a time. Close it before you use another one. Continue until you get an unsolicited reboot. If you don’t get one in the course of several sessions, go back into the System Configuration Utility and re-enable one program at a time until you hit upon one causing the rebooting. But also consider that: Your PC is overheating. Have a technician check out the PC’s cooling fans. Your surge protector has gone belly up. Replace it. Power management is acting up. Turn it off. A memory module has gone bad. Use a program such as memtest to assess your random access memory. Memtest is available at the site listed below. Your cable modem drivers are driving Windows nuts. See article 316416 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Use the article number as a search term. You have a virus. Update your antivirus definitions and scan your system. On the Web www.memtest86.com
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