Sounds like motherboard, CPU, or power supply. Have you tried clearing CMOS with a jumper?
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Gudanov - Apr 09, 2009 10:44:01 am PDT #9683 of 25501
Coding and Sleeping
Dana - Apr 09, 2009 10:52:37 am PDT #9684 of 25501
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
No. Are you suggesting that something's weird with the BIOS? We've checked the settings.
Gudanov - Apr 09, 2009 10:58:22 am PDT #9685 of 25501
Coding and Sleeping
Sometimes it can get corrupted and it won't show up in the settings. There is usually a jumper on the motherboard you can set to wipe out the CMOS. The manual to the motherboard or computer will probably tell you how to do it. Unplugging and removing the motherboard battery for, I dunno 10 minutes or so to be safe, will also do the job.
Not saying it will fix your problems, but it's worth a shot. I have had it clear up weird problems in the past.
Dana - Apr 09, 2009 11:03:37 am PDT #9686 of 25501
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Hrm. I've got the manual for the motherboard. I'll suggest it to husband when he comes home. We have had weird things happen to the BIOS on crashes before, so it's worth a try.
Thanks.
Becky - Apr 09, 2009 1:34:35 pm PDT #9687 of 25501
It may be the motherboard battery going out. Cheap and easy to install.
Dana - Apr 09, 2009 1:37:44 pm PDT #9688 of 25501
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Is there any way to check besides getting a replacement battery and testing it? Would the system clock be having problems if it's the battery, for example?
Becky - Apr 09, 2009 4:57:04 pm PDT #9689 of 25501
I'm not sure if there is a way to check except replacement, sorry. I was having some similar issues (random shut-downs, gibberish on the screen) and after ruling out overheating, memory, and malware I changed the battery and it worked. Not sure if it will work for you, just wanted to share my experience. Hopefully yours will be an easy and quick fix!
(I was a bit sad it wasn't the motherboard, since I already had my dream computer picked out)
Dana - Apr 09, 2009 5:54:15 pm PDT #9690 of 25501
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Thanks for the advice! We'll definitely check it out.
evil jimi - Apr 10, 2009 5:54:57 am PDT #9691 of 25501
Lurching from one disaster to the next.
The battery should only cost a couple of bucks, so no great loss if it didn't need replacing.
Dana - Apr 10, 2009 10:36:47 am PDT #9692 of 25501
I'm terrifically busy with my ennui.
Resetting the BIOS (by pulling the battery) didn't fix the problem. From googling, it definitely sounds like 5 years isn't an unreasonable life expectancy for the mobo battery.
I still kind of suspect that it's a hardware failure, but going out to buy a battery will give me an excuse to get out of the house.