I've been using my computer for several years, gradually upgrading it as I could afford it. Recently, it started randomly crashing and restarting, even when I'm not doing anything intensive. It first happened about a month ago while I was playing a game, and since then, it has only gotten worse. I initially thought it might be overheating or a power issue, but the crashes happen even when the computer is idle. Here's what I've tried so far:
- Switched to a new power supply, but that didn't fix it.
- Ran the Windows memory diagnostic tool, which showed no issues.
- Adjusted memory settings and reset the BIOS to default but got no results.
- I even replaced the CMOS battery.
- I've reverted to older GPU drivers and updated to the latest ones with no change.
- I upgraded from Windows 10 to 11, which hasn't helped either.
- Interestingly, disconnecting the reset button from my motherboard helped for a few days before the problems returned.
- I tried restoring Windows to a previous point but it didn't solve the issue.
Now I'm at a loss. My computer's about six years old, and while I could replace parts like the GPU and PSU, I wonder if this could be a software problem instead. I'd love to get some input from anyone who's been through something similar!
3 Answers
You might want to run more in-depth memory tests like testmem5 and other stress tests for your CPU and GPU. Curious which game triggered this initially? Sometimes malicious software sneaks past updates.
Have you tried running your computer without the GPU, just using the integrated graphics? Crashes like this, especially when idle, hint at a potential hardware issue, possibly with the motherboard. I’d also recommend building your PC outside the case to rule out any short circuits, and disconnect any unnecessary USB devices.
Actually, crashing when there's no load isn't typical for hardware failures. Most hardware issues show up when under load. It’s worth trying to reset Windows entirely, or maybe even swapping out the SSD, as memory or storage problems could cause similar symptoms. If it's the GPU that's failing, you should see more noticeable signs instead of just a restart.
Nice point! I had a similar issue and was so convinced it was hardware. Turns out I just needed to reinstall Windows cleanly, and that solved everything for me.
Check out the Event Viewer for any significant errors. If nothing jumps out, it's likely a hardware concern. A malfunctioning storage drive could also be the culprit, so keep that in mind!
I looked there, but all I got was a Kernel-Power 41 error. Just confirms Windows crashed, but doesn’t point towards the root cause.
My PSU is a G3 850w, which should be fine. I plan to run those tests you suggested when I can. The first game I noticed issues with was BF6, but the problem has spread to other games now.