HELP!! MY computer keeps restarting!!?

Question

Okay here's the thing, over the past month my computer has been restarting for no reason rather often, ( 2-4 times a day).
Note: it doesnt restart normally like when there's a windows update, it just suddenly shuts off then boots off again.
I have an Acer Aspire 6920G

I have looked on the web for answers and have done everything recomended including:
- disk checking, cleaning, defrag, optimize
- registry cleaner with a paid software
- anti virus check with a paid software ( all problems fixed)
-cleaning the dust off my CPU fan and cooler ( my computer is not overheating when it randomly restarts.
- i've checked that all my devices were working fine on device manager
-i've unticked the box "automatically restarts"in computer-properties-advanced settings-startup and recovery.
- i've used my computer on batteries, on just a plug, on and without an internet browser turned on, yet it stills restarts.
- i've downloaded all the latest update for windows vista
- i have also recently restored my computer to Factory Default, the problem still persist but it seems to occur less often at least.
- when my computer restarts it doesn't does it slowly like an automatic restart after an update, but instead i hear a sound of a rather loud "click" with the fan stopping.

Note: Something which seems very strange to me is, my computer has probably turned off over 100times this past month, yet it has never turned off when I would be watching a movie in full screen or playing a game ( in full screen) ( this represents around 40% of my total time on the computer).
This is why i find it hard to believe it would be a hardware or overheating problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

Answer 1

maybe your OS is not doing its job correctly. dump vista and and get Windows 7.

Answer 2

Acer Aspire 6920G-814G32Bn



:: Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 2.1 GHz (Intel Core 2 Duo)

:: Mainboard - Intel PM965

:: Memory - 4096 MB, DDR2 PC5300 667MHz, 2x 2048MB, max. 4096MB

:: Graphics adapter - NVIDIA GeForce 9500M GS - 512 MB, Core: 475 MHz, Memory: 400 MHz, ForceWare 167.64, 7.15.11.6764

:: Display - 16.4 inch 16:9, 1366x768 pixel, WXGA Acer CineCrystal HD TFT, glossy: yes

:: Harddisk - 320 GB - 5400 rpm, 320GB 5400rpm WDC WD3200BEVT-22ZCT0

:: Soundcard - Realtek ALC889

:: Connections - 1 Express Card 54mm, 4 USB 2.0, 1 VGA, 1 HDMI, V.92 Modem, 1 Infrared, 1 Kensington Lock, Audio Connections: headphones (S/PDIF), microphone, Card Reader: 6in1,

:: Networking - Atheros AR8121/AR8113 PCI-E Ethernet Controller (10/100MBit), Intel Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN (abgn), 2.0+EDR Bluetooth

:: Optical drive - Matshita BD-CMB UJ-120 ATA

:: Operating System - Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32 Bit



It could be that you have updated the video GPU and the latest version is having problems with Vista 32 bit OS. Most Notebooks do prefer the original version GPU (and audio) drivers rather than an update so that might be the problem.



What you should do is create a repair DVD data disk before anything else happens that will prevent you from doing so. Start > All Programs > Maintenance > "Create a System Repair Disc".



There really doesn't seem any good reason why you get the shut downs except that you may have the notebook on your lap and are blocking the air vents or the desk area is full of stuff blocking ventilation. You might best invest in a cooler pad to help dissipate heat underneath.



The link gives good information about playing certain games that you should consider reading.

Answer 3

You've done a huge amount of work already to diagnose the problem, all sensible things and exactly the way I'd of gone with it, with one exception. MANY years of experience working with computers tells me that if a problem like this isn't rectified by a system restore (to a time when you knew the problem wasn't there) and removal of any recent software, or more likely Windows updates, which may cause the problem - then the only fix will be a format and re-installation of your operating system.



Virus checks, Malware checks, De-fragmenting etc etc, they're all just populist mumbo jumbo - I've never EVER had a problem that's been resolved by "scanning disk C" - never.



If you've got an OS disk (XP, Vista, Win7 etc) then it'll be easy, if all the OS installation information is on a partition you may struggle.



You'll need to get to a stage where you can access DOS and format C. Recent years (XP onwards) you can access this feature by inserting the OS disk in the computer while it's booting up (if the computer doesn't recognise the disk straight away, you'll need to access the Boot Sequence section of the BIOS - which is got to by pressing F2, F3 etc a few seconds after the computer starts, it should tell you on screen, and select the boot order to check the disk drive 1st)



The rest of it should be straight forward - to my knowledge it's the only way of sorting out a problem like this.



REMEMBER TO GET ALL YOUR FILES OFF ONTO AN EXT HARD DRIVE FIRST! and beforehand go to the Acer website and download all the drivers for your Acer Aspire 6920G (network modem, graphics etc)



Good luck

Answer 4

What are the computer specs? What type of Video Card do you have? When it restarts, does it come right back on or stay off? What are you doing when it restarts? These are things we need to know.



As a last resort, you could make a backup then format your drive and reinstall the latest Vista operating system. Turn on your computer, and perform the activity that caused the system to restart. If it restarts then you know there is a hardware defect. If it doesn’t restart, try adding each peripheral device (for example, the printer), individually. Then add each software program, one by one. This is the process of elimination method. It’s slow, but reliable. It’s a good idea to keep good notes on your actions (for example, keys and passwords). Hope this helps.



I suspect there is a hardware defect, some where. Memory, videocard , harddrive ect.

Answer 5

Even though you said it may not be a hardware problem, triple check and make sure there's nothing lose on the inside.

There could be numerous reasons on why your computer is doing this.

Did you install any programs prior to the errors?(Yes, I read you restored to factory. However whatever is causing this could've latched itself onto a separate partition you've got in your computer. *double check on that*)

If all is still hopeless, completely wipe your HDD, and do yourself a favor and upgrade to Windows 7. (Or vista, again. If you can't *afford ;)* W7.)



I hope I was at least of little help. Good luck with your computer problem.

Answer 6

With Vista, a corrupt file is definitely a possibility. Vista has crap security and it doesn't take much to knock it screwy. Your RAM memory can also be corrupt, this would explain why under a heavy load nothing happens. Memory gets bad addresses (think gaps) that under light loads could send garbled BUS communications, which your motherboard may interpret as a crash. Memory is cheap, replace that first. If you get no help there upgrade to Win 7, if you are still having this difficulty you've got an motherboard clocking issue and you will need a new board.

Answer 7

I know what the problem is.i'm trying to repair this problem for a friend.after 3 days of research, there is a capacitor on the motherboard called the nec token which controls the power.What is after happening is your fan unit got clogged up with dust and dirt and then proceeded to overheat the internal board.this in turn damaged the capacitor.you need to get the motherboard repaired by getting this capacitor replaced or if you go into safe mode by hitting f8, go into device manager and disable the second processor as this is a temporary workaround but will allow your computer to boot up but multiprocessing will not work.



does your battery charge as well?



as i've a feeling this problem stops charging as well.

Answer 8

Thank you for going into so much detail you seem to have covered all the bases.



I am afraid given the information you have given, that the logical conclusion is a Main (Mother board) failure. One thing try to find out if there is a BIOS update for your main board.



Flashing the Bios is always a bit risky, but if the problem is as bad as you say the machine is next to unworkable anyway, I really think your onto a loser here though. Sorry. Good Luck.

Answer 9

sorry im not a professional so just a guess?



maybe your acer could not take the consumption of ram in your laptop(is it a laptop?) i guess you have to upgrade your specs to reduce that happening. if nothing else work. i reconmmend reformating ur computer and use win 7 or xp. not vista because thats a beta of windows 7



oh and yes. i recommend always defrag your disk and cleaning your registry. i recommend using tune up utilities 2012.

Answer 10

Power problem or a virus infection



some virus will keep doing that to you.



I suggest reading this guide: http://howeduvideos.com/how-to-fix-any-malware-and-virus/

Answer 11

Check your ram modules.

Answer 12

so,reinstall it