Computer turning off and on, on its own....

However more likely a bad Power Connector somewhere so have you looked at the power lead s/Power Boards involved?

Could also be something that is moving when you walk past that is resting on a power switch/plug or whatever and that ripple is causing the start stop process.

Don't rule out loose wires in things like Plugs/Sockets either.

Col

Or maybe you have an alien implant. But I'd check the wiring running to the socket to make sure that pressure on a spot in the floor isn't disrupting a circuit. I bet running the mains through a UPS would keep the computer from behaving this way, but it will eventually kill that if it is a wiring problem.

ed. - (Or a power cord under the carpet?)

Or do you, even while naked, walk around wrapped in copper wire? Maybe while shaking an iron rod?

Static from the carpet interfering with the monitor. Do a test and see (if at all possible), raise the computer above the floor and place on a woodwork table.

If the issue comes back i would suggest another power supply unit.

keep the door open, keep the gremlins[ mogwai ] happy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnX6jqkTPVo&feature=fvwrel

Check the grounding on the cabinet, and make sure the electrical plug has a good ground. (PLEASE say they aren't using a "cheater plug" adapter, or just snapped the 3rd prong off because it wouldn't go into the 2-prong outlet in the old building...)

Get some anti-static spray and spray the carpet around the cabinet.

Get anti-static mats and put them around the cabinet. Be sure they are properly grounded. See #1 above...

Some are single use only and then they need replacing, others can take several hits before expiring and then others are used to just divert Surges through Capacitors to earth.

Here it depends on what the filter gets hit with as to what happens but that may be a starting point to work from.

Col

I have added pictures to the original post
http://trevorsarchives.selfip.net/temp/PC%20Pics/

1. The picture labelled 'Filter Box' - the white plug at the top doesn't seem to be fully seated. in the image the left hand side looks to be deeper in, as if the plug is on a slight angle. not sure if this will have much of an affect or not.

2. The boxes are too close together, move them as far apart as you can on that stand. There appears to be some space between them and the uprights, well push them apart and right up against the uprights. That will maximise the ventilation around them, thus the cooling effect of the air while reducing the risk of electro magnetic interference between the two systems.

3. The wiring, try to separate the data wires from the power wires, even if it means using some cable ties to run them in channels a few finger widths apart. this will minimise the risk of electromagnetic interference between the two as well. The power cables have a stronger and larger field around them to the rest and if close enough to the data cables, it can cause some troubles.

4. Check the cables for fine breaks in the wire within the cable. This can be done by carefully running the cable through your fingers while looking at it closely. Some breaks can occur in the copper inside without having a break in the covering plastic.

5. Apart from this an what the others have said, watch out for free radical electrons staging a revolution.

Thats an innovation.
Just kidding !!!
Check your RAM. Might be not plugged well.

Remove all except the KB, mouse and screen from the PC. Plug the PC into a socket and disconnect ALL other equipment in the area from the power.

Then try it and if the ghost goes away, start adding one device at a time until he(she) returns.

Also look for the Wakeon settings in your bios and disable those you don't need.

Many years ago we had a person who told us that their PC was turning itself off AT THE WALL!!! They swore that the switch on the outlet was being turned off when they weren't looking. Not only that, they said they could hear something behind them when it happened, but couldn't see anything when they turned and looked.

We never did find out the real cause, but to this day he still believes it happened. As he's now a Partner in the firm, we tend to keep it quiet.

The computer can't bear to look at me when I walk passed, full leg spread, so it shuts down and restarts? And then I accidentally blinded it and it could only see in black and white?

Since you said tower, these problems are typically caused by one of two things. #1 the power supply is beginning to fail. It happens on new or old towers alike. When a computers power supply (400WT) begins to provide less power than the tower needs to, the computer will shut off and restart. That is one cause. The second cause could be faulty memory. The same will happen with memory when it starts to go bad, the PC will shut off and restart. Typically a power supply will not allow the user to restart the computer after it gets shut down for a short while; however, the power supply is typically always my first guess. Hope this helps.

Cords touching one another, not being plugged in all the way, stuff like that is typically first response because it's free; however, it very rarely will ever fix the problem. Keep us updated.

Check the ground on the outlet, the ground from the power supply to the motherboard (check from the solder pads on the back of the mobo) and check the power for dips and spikes. Repair as needed. Before you put the machine back in service, remove the cmos battery and short the cmos clear jumpers for a while. Set up the machine's BIOS from scratch. If it persists, call a priest.

while the voltages might look fine to you, they don't to the CPU or motherboard or memory,...

a +5 voltage that actuals are +4. 999 to +5.005 when it's supposed to be +5.148 is enough.. or the +12 that comes in on +11.814

if you overclock, you could be at the edge of what's stable... but my experience is, if the damn thing keeps randomly rebooting, a new power supply usually stops the problem.

I'd almost bet money it's the power supply. Don't make it more complicated than it is.

1. Reseat all boards and components, ie memory, cards, power connectors internally.
2. Verify all cables are tight, no breaks, grounded, no frays, kinks
3. Check for leaking capacitors on mainboard. If any replace mobo
4. If new cards have been added make sure power supply is sufficient (+400W min)
5. Replace power supply, my money's here

the top is blown out like a frozen beer can

see these:
http://www.facilitateit.com.au/images/Bulging_capacitors.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5JFl07VLeDw/SxO0kQmeeBI/AAAAAAAAAUY/qGPIVEtq7rM/s400/bulgingCap%5B1%5D.jpg

I note your message is dated 16th Feb. Since 14th Feb the sun has been blowing out unusually huge sunspots; such sunspots play havoc with elecronic equipment. China has already reported some radio communications have been affected. Today (17th), these sunspots are expected to give us a good lightshow at lattitudes much lower than normal.. Which means of course that there's likely to be some wierditude happening 'lower' down the planet....

... for it be a feasible area of investigation. Perhaps your neighbours are suffering similarly. Any patterns you have discerned may be entirely coincidental (which means you can out your clothes back on )

Its still the same, if I walk infront of it from right to left, the computer restarts.

Need help, this is irritating.

I feel the electricity in your room.. seen the pics 1. new power supply rated to 400 watts 2. clean up the cables behind the rack (velcro ties) 3. put rf chokes on all cables you can. 4. if still happens, then replace video card./ mobo. Good Luck

I had a similiar with an machine and after replacing all the peripherals, it turned out thta my mother board was the culprit.

Good luck!
Garo

definately motherboard

Do you have a wood floor, or concrete? It really does not matter, all floor types will flex and move. I would remove all peripherals to the machine, and move all other electrical items- computers, TV's - etc..away. BUT do not move your computer with the 'ghosts' in it at-all if you can. Do the 'mystery' walk again, (everyone has seen a TV picture flicker/fade out when someone walks near it before because of static or body galvanization) with only your machine on. If it does the 'voodoo' again, I bet you have some problem with the mother board. But before taking the machine apart, check the connection of all your cabling used to attach all your printers, USB, monitor's , etc., into the back of the computer. Had a bent serial plug pin one time that drove me nuts... If that problem goes away when the peripherals un-attached, start adding them one by one to see if the problem returns with one of them. I you can, check your BIO's on start up.The fact it is reboot, not rebooting problem, it could be the wiring in the wall, or plugs, sockets, and such, ---plug it in to a different plug socket, with a good ground, some where else- out of the room- you are using the machine in. I just fixed my brother's house where a plug was bad, and badly installed 18 years ago, and his stove would come and go. Check for blue tooth items- in other words, eliminate all that you can, add them back in, and do the one by one test. If all else fails, take the computer to a pre-build state- in other words take it and 're-build it' all over again- One of my favorite test's to do also, is to give the wires and components the 'finger flick'...Take your middle finger, and 'flick' it on the offending device, wires, cords and all. You know the finger I am referring too...a little tap will do you at times...

Loose Wires at it's back where they screw in or the switch being faulty?

Both of those issues could be causing the erratic behavior of you computer.

Col

The CPU could be overheating, or Motherboard has a short, inspect the board to see if any of the capacitors are bloated, if they are the board is bad, Check the CPU fan and the temperture. If it keeps rebooting it has a virus.

First of all - you did not indicate what OS System you were operating in; if it was a x86 (32 bit); for it is a known issue in some cases that Windows Update had installed WOW64 (which is for 64 bit OS. I have been in rapport with Microsoft Team and we have seen this but not until I had found out why and then bringing forth the manifestation and resolution to them. However, there is another indication of the fact; what specifically is your graphic card are you running on? I am on the latest nVidia with its own slot and I recommend folks to have their own PCI cards - each having their own memory in reserved for their own purposes. Without the sufficient information provided; I am not able to elaborate in specs to narrow down to the field of scope of what causes it might be. If your security system is working and you had ran it; I strongly recommend to download (you can uninstall it after you are done with it) Malwarebytes just to be on the safe side; for so many viruses, trojans, and worms are out there including variants and mutants can also be a trigger where it can actually disable and "hide" in your own security system (I actually have 4 - Win 7 Firewall, Extension Firewall, MSC (or aka MSE), CA Security Plus). Having experienced the same issue yet with a brand new mainboard and everything else et al. While the above poster is correct pertaining to possibilities of Wi-Fi, but if yours is disabled; then check with your DNS/IP Provider or Host Provider if you run on a Modem/WideBand/HDMI - sometimes hacks can manage to creep into those equipments and leech into those and manipulate your OS via the modems (for indeed they are a computer itself) so this is another avenue to look into if your OS is coming up clear regardless of what OS computer one is using Win, Mac, et al - even a Server ... sometimes it can be the "middle man" that is infested that is actually leeching or breech into your OS via your own DNS/IP via a hack which is why nothing may not necessarily show up or manifest anywhere in your OS from registry to what-not. So if all else comes up clear - check the modem, but I also agree with everyone - computers needs to "breathe" for even my OS has a powerful fan - in fact I have installed 4 fans not just the Master fan itself. In addition to the 'overclocking', one can actually do this configuration in the BIOS (if you know what you are doing) and put the limitations on it; for you do not want to want to end up having a "southern fried crispy motherboard" (or mainboard); in addition whatever graphic card you have, regardless it is, make sure it is up-to-date per your graphic card; and do not be tempted to leave it running on 'overclocking' all the time for it brings wear and tear on the graphic card itself, even if the manufacturer says wise and otherwise; it is not necessary. For why would one want to run their OS on overclocking on a forum? Turn it off when you are not using it or in development. Just my own humble opinion here. For those on 64 bit OS - there have been complaints on the overclocking and freezing up or locking up which in turn they have to reboot or the OS reboots itself. Whether x86 or 32 bit or 64 bit OS - if everything is cleared and good as go, and it is the overclocking, then I would strongly recommend that you are pushing it too far; turn it down a little bit. Honestly, like with "muscle cars" of old days, the temptations of revving up the engines and pedal to the metal constantly including burning up the rubber (tires), would always end up with overheated radiators to burnt valves ... think about it for it is a fact there. One can't truly keep running at that pace all the time as tempting as it is, whether if you have 500 GB or 1 TB in your graphic card if you installed it; however this is not the case for those with OS that comes with built-in graphic card pre-installed; that's a different story ... Hope everything here sums it up as blunt as possible.... (getting off the soap box)

Does your computer have frontpanel pushbuttons that are linked to the motherboard via slide-on printconnectors ?

Does your computer have any kind of infrared eye like for a remote control ?

What you need to look at is if the lines to the RESET button are connected to the proper printconnector pins, and you need to check if the reset button smoothly glides into the surrounding frame of the cabinet. If it sticks or sits cramped in, it could generate false contacts.

This reset signal being at the TTL logic level in terms of current and voltage, could also be triggered if an infrared detector eye would receive any IR light.

Shut it down, unplug the power and give it a nice kick. I had a crt way back in the day and it had a loose wire or something. I would be working and then all of a sudden it would go black. I tap the side it would come on. One day i got pissed enough wacked it good and never had a problem with it again.

in such a fashion that when you walk past in one the direction
that you are actually facing South

in that case yer system is acknowledging yer current direction of travel saying

"I'm going south too"

time for some new components

How old is your computer? I ask because at a certain age they can sometimes experience electrile disk function. Maybe your hard drive has gone floppy. And, perhaps the computer is not actually getting turned off, but is using that as a coping mechanism because it is embarrassed. Did it ever have issues with it's Motherboard?

I once had a computer that would shut off at random times and for no apparent reason. After I spent a lot of money replacing different things, I realized that I had too many computers and other electrical things, plugged into a 15 amp circuit. Just an idea...

Carpet has nap that lays down in one direction, and stands up in the other (when pushed against). You are causing more static in one direction than the other, when you walk.You are prob. generating static that is causing a reboot. You strip is not of high quality at this point, as you stated it corrected some harsh problem before. It is prob. at the end of its useful life. They do not last for ever. Buy a good one or a good ups. Your pics of the rack show it is not isolated from the carpet. Put some wood under those wheels, (an extra shelf that is not needed would work). Verify your ground is actually working, (testers are about $6.00). It only takes 10 volts to cause a video card or mother board to fail, or cause an upset failure (works but not like it should). If you were to hear static snap that would be 1500 volts. So you can image what just walking by would cause.

When was the last time you had your PC serviced? When dust builds up on components like capacitors, this may cause those component to fail in the long run.Use a can of compressed air to carefully blow around circuit components like capacitors especially those located within the power supply unit.
Please do not touch any internal components unless of course you are wearing an ESD wrist strap.
If this does not help, then you might consider replacing the power supply unit.
At this point the automatic restart issue should be a thing of the past.

Is the Monitor and Computer Case plugged into the Same Power Strip?

If it is try swapping the leads over the One to the Monitor plugged into the one where the computer is plugged in and the one from the computer plugged into the socket where the Monitor was.

Now if the Monitor starts turning on and off you know you have a Bad Socket on the Power Strip.

Could also work if they are on different Power Strips but it could just as easily be a faulty Power Strip as well.

Col

I first noticed it in Dragon age, but thought nothing of it as an upgrade I did said I could run out of video memory and cause funky artifacts, but just playing oblivion, this happened, it has never happened before.
http://trevorsarchives.selfip.net/temp/oblivion001.png (1.9mb)
This isn't the only one I saw, it was just the funniest .


So its looking like my video card is dying, do you guys agree? Unsure how this could cause the computer to restart when I walk passed it, but it would explain the shutdowns when watching movies.

It is a:
NVidia GeForce 9800 GT
* 600MHz core clock
* 112 stream processors
* 1,500MHz
* 512MB GDDR3 RAM
* 256-bit memory interface
* 1.8GHz memory clock

Similar to this one:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9800gt_us.html

Like i said it is a spare to me just laying around and fully working.
PM me and see if we can come up with a price unless you have a spare/new one already. Need to know about the postage weight first though but if you need it we can sort that out also.

This card is not new, just second hand but working.
It only cost me 10 euro (About $13 Canadian dollars) so with postage packing say around 40 euro ($54 Canadian dollars). I can get nearly any second hand video card (given time). We have a recycling center here in Oulu in Finland that handles every component you can think of from memory, motherboards, power supplys, old servers and processors. If you are still interested i can send you my email. The price of packaging and postage might be cheaper, i just pulled the prices from my head so to speak. If you have a bank account you just need to do a bank to bank transfer. I can give you the details that is no problem.

As a 30+ yr systems technician I find this problem and the sugestions very interesting.
My first suggestion is to go back to square one in your troubleshooting flow chart.
So, IS IT ENVIRONMENTAL? In other words does it have to do with the placement of the tower where slight changes in the position caused by walking past it in one direction is causing the reboot?
To test that, remove the computer from the current location. Take it to a table in your garage or your kitchen and set it up there. Does the system still reboot randomly? YES/NO
If it does the problem is following the computer and not the location.
There are many good suggestions made concerning your power connections and some not so good about other cables etc. These other cables should not interfere in any way. Loose or worn out outlets on a power strip could cause this to occur. Since it can occur when the MOBO is still posting, I would rule out the OS and virus related issues since a system has not even booted yet.
I do question the power supply and the fact that you have 4 HDDs in this system. A 400w supply may not be enough, but then again, that doesn't explain why it happens walking past it in only one direction. Or why you can sit in front of it for long periods with no problems.
My first take is that something with the mobo is flexing just enough as you walk past.
Try putting the tower on it's side, which will change or eliminate the way the case is able to flex. Modern cases are built with much thinner materials.
Check that all the screws that hold the mobo down are properly tightened. Most of those connections are grounded to the chassis and if even one relaxes when flexed it could cause this sort of problem.
Two things you can try regarding the power supply unit.
First, try disconnecting HDDs that are not required or even all of them and the CD/DVD, floppy etc. Anything that has a power cord going to it. Be sure to pull the data cables loose too.
If the power supply is being overworked, even the slightest amount of stray inductance can cause it to 'crowbar' the system and cause a reboot.
Stray inductance could be introduced simply by walking past the computer. Also when a tower is in an upright position there is a double layer of the case protecting the mobo on just one side and not the other.
Second thing might be to try swapping the power supply out with your other computer.

I'm certain of that from everything you've said and the pictures. Someone else mentioned bulging capacitors. If a capacitor is burst or leaking, strong ESD can overload the capacitor (remember, it stores electricity) and produce exactly the results you're getting. Moving right to left from that bed on a carpet is producing a very strong charge. The PC may be well grounded but you're carrying that charge through the air and it is going to look for the path of least resistance (any exposed metal). There may be other things going on, but that issue needs to be ruled out, period.

Did you check the capacitors? Can you disconnect the entire PC and connect it somewhere else and see if the problem still exists? If it goes away, the problem is ESD. If it still exists and your capacitors are OK, the problem is hardware or cable related. Swap the cables with the other PC to rule that out.

In your network card properties.

Sorry to ask again, but between the new forum formatting and all of the responses which clearly do not address "turning on by itself", this is becoming a tl;dr exercise, unfortunately. (OK, even though I did try to re-read it all.)

I ask because since this may involve you somehow creating induction when moving past the system, it is one place to stop a wake signal if it isn't in the power button assembly or the PSU itself.

Still an awesome mystery, this. (BTW, the 256 color-style purple house was really cool. )

Have you tried putting it in your microwave? If you haven't you should, Once it's all cooked good, you should go to Newegg.com and buy another PC. Either that or Re-install you OS and see what happens.

Take it apart. Take every piece of your computer apart, then put it back together. Make sure everythign fits good. Make sure you have you RAM in the correct positions.

Would it be possible to get an entire hardware list of your system and installed OS version.

The BIG Question I didn't see anyone ask ( I may be wrong there were a few wall of text posts i skimmed), What Changed? Obviously it wasn't like this from day 1? New hardware - you mentioned you installed a USB hub, did it hagve a driver that faults when under powered by a board causing a short in a wire?

Maybe just maybe if you have another computer around, change out that computer with this one for testing purposes. Does it Restart when you walk by it?

If no then we can rule out a power supply issue, I think the gremlins would have given up by now also.

OK, saying it doesn't restart after moving you 2nd machine into the same location of this machine does moving the faulting machine to another location solve the issue?

Saying NO, it still has the same issue in another location, lets try changing some components. Take the faulty machine and throw it out your window ( Not really) get your good machine and thiis one change out each component one at a time. Start the system and Test.
Yes this is a lot of run around work to find a solution but seeing that there is such an a large amount of replies it's time for some real troubleshooting. That right PCMechanic.com fix's all issues LOL JK.

Change out you hardwarte with the unit in question with known good. If you have changed out every pice of hardware except the motherboard, then Try changint hat out too.
Still having the same issue? after changing out the hardware? 100%
Look in the case, is the board correctly grounded to it's case or did someone forget to put some spacers in it?
All the wires from case plugged into mainboard in correct locations as per diagrammed when you got the board?

Lets say it's all correctly grounded in the case, 100% of the hardware was changed out and even the HDD and OS were changed with all cables correctly connected. SO theres no External sensors built into you case such a IR ect?

Lets say No there's nothing special about this desktop. So whats that leave us with? Well if its not a internal issues with the desktop lets move external.

Cabling I know there were several people posting about it. So you moved your desktop and it still has the same issue. Well. Lets start Unplugging all the extra crap you have plugged in. Even that nifty surpe protector. Yes we are going to use the standard wall socket! "WHHAAA!" Thats right, plug 1 monitor in and the desktop into the wall. Nothing else. Plug just your monitor and PC in to eachother ( VGA I assume) - Do not plug you your Mouse Printer Portable Cellphoen charger or keybaaord into your computer at this point. Then Walk by it.
Still rebooting?
Ok so its not a mouse or keyboard issue, GREAT - Well i figured it wasn't but couldn't hurt to test. Also you were able to test if the system was getting under powered or Circuit overloading.

So lets say it is still doing it, you have friends right? Well lets say you do, take the PC to their house with your monitor and keyboard and mouse. Thats right box it all up.

Say you arrive at their house, Install your PC at their house, walk by it, does it still reboot? This will test is the wifi signal theory someone suggested was causing an issue. ( That is assume your friend doesn't live next door or near a super mall of wifi's)

Lets say the issue still happens, you even hooked it up on his kitchen counter so that it's not touching the floor and is correctly grounded. You even left your gremlin at your house. Hum, at this point it';s looking fairly strange...

So lets take another approach, take all your hardware out and out it in your other computer case, YES Change cases. We probably could have done this sooner but I didnt think of it till now. Luckily you can arrange these in any order you want.

So we changed out the hardware into your other case and the issue still happens, well at this point we just ruled out the case, all the hardware all the software independently. SO Something much be conflicting with each other. Time to look into compatibility. Lets check each piece of hardware. You had mentioned you video card had some trouble seeting correctly. well lets swap it out and test with one that is approved.

Do the same for each hardware.

So you issue still persists. I believe you have gained super powers to restart your PC by walking in-front of it, a task I could only hope to achieve as my users forget to restart their computers before they call me. That or there's something wrong as I ran out of IF-Then statements.

Place the computer on its side and then restart it and then do a walk past it and see if reboots by itself. If it does not then something is loose.
Other than that i will say your computer is asking for for your help the only way it knows how by rebooting to grab your attention.
Very weird situation you have. I have not heard or seen this happen before, only beeps to say either the video card is not slotted in properly or missing memory. Take it apart completely and give everything a good clean including your processor and heatsink, i do this every six months with every one of my computers (five altogether). It takes me about four to five hours on each one then i do a test to find out if i missed anything out. Your issue is very weird, i would put it in the town museum for being the only computer with a ghost attacted to it.
Hope you find out what is causing the issue.

I believe your computer can overheat. Check Bios settings you'll find the answer there.

check for the proper power connection in the Room. Have a proper Electrical

Computers are so much fun when they do something weird until it is absolutely irritating. I have read for the most part the conversation and find that some people don't read the previous posts . I Thought many of the similar considerations and if indeed this machine is still acting consistently in this manner; there is one other thing I have not seen mentioned yet.

I could indeed have missed this but what got me thinking of this possibility is that someone mentioned electric contacts like in stereos, we have such a stereo if plugged in it will mysteriously come on. This problem is dusty contacts in the (drum roll) POWER SWITCH. It may indeed that with all the reasonable solutions which I would have thought too; that the real culprit here is possibly the simple power switch at the front of your machine. Changing the way it lays may possibly shift the minuet weight of the switch to 'solve' the problem for now; and yet the problem may still exist tho dormant for now.

Given what sounds like so minor rough treatment of the machine, there may be wear or dust inside the power switch that the slightly different motion is just enough to activate 'the ghost'. This is also evidenced by that while you are not walking by it works normally; maybe even have someone else walk by while YOU are sitting at the machine as you normally would; have them walk the 'offending' path.

Possible solution: Replace the power switch.

Let me know. I am eager to know the final solution.

It varies between vendors. Some of the switches if you look will have slide connectors on those, some unfortunately soldier them in thus you would need to trace those wires to the Motherboard connection and unplug at the motherboard. It should be a simple slide plug. Of course use a ground strap so that you do not fry any of the components.

The reliability of these switches is very good, but they can of course get damaged. Your machine does not sound old enough for wear issues. I have some antiques that still work fine in that area. Which means in one of your moves you may have had excess pressure on one of the switches that may have given the circumstance for the current problem.

Someone else may have to answer this part tho...The reset switch might not have to be connected for the machine to work, and then again might be in the POST check and may be required. If it allows no reset button that would mean you don't have the reset control. A minor inconvience by comparison. Either switch could still be the problem; but I think it will only be one. I would possibly take a picture of both switches and head to the local tech store that sells parts. The switches should not be expensive, they are for the most part simple relays with a spring release toggle built in.

The Power Switch must be used...I am not to comfortable with 'hot wiring' the power switch as a bypass.

It explains other things you described too; if the power cycles in mid POST then it can give some rather weird problems like the monitor issues you mentioned that is usually 'solved' by a clean problem free boot. If power fluxuates in operation it can have odd acting results too; that was a reason to suspect the power supply.

It will certainly get rid of the Ghost in your computer for ever.

Ever thought of putting the box against a wall so you can't walk past it from right to left? Might help you get a good nights sleep.

is there a different power outlet in your place? if not, pack it all up and take it to a friend's place and try there.

This is very familiar here in Scandinavia. You may easily develop 100 000 Volts just by passing nearby, meaning a few meters away. I have measured, it is true. Do not use artifical fabrics like nylon ...xlon made clothes. Do not use anything plastic or woollen. Ground your equipment properly. Use shielded cables. Do not use open or windowed computer cases. It is sad but the manufacturers in Taiwan, China or California know nothing about static electricity and all the problems it causes. If they knew they would not pack hard drives into EPS which is one of the worst materials in ESD sense.

Mane

Then why does the computer only reboot when walked passed in one direction and not the other?
If it was ESD then the computer in question would also reboot when walked by in both direstions would it not.

Looking at the picture, he's going right to left from the cabinet and passing by the bed in a very tight space while walking on a carpet. It looks almost impossible to pass through there without his clothing rubbing against the bedspread. That's generating one heck of a static charge. Not so in the other direction.

I would like for you to try this: click on Start - Run (or if you have the Search feature, you can use that) - type in this word: command - and it will come up. Now right click on the command prompt; "RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR" - the Command Prompt box will pop up, and I want you to type in or just copy and paste (or cut and paste): sfc/scannow

This way your computer will automatically scan without having you to be offline or anything to do this and repair any damage and/or corrupted files and/or duplicated files and even fix registry keys or duplication or replication, et al.


Since from reading everything above; NOTE: This scan may take time the first time you run this but do not turn your computer off while it runs the first time - it will work on XP, VISTA and 7. (Everyone, if you didn't know this, you might want to make a note of that; it comes in handy! Trust me! Doing this without having to roll-back or anything is absolutely wonderful, even more so if you're on Win 7)


After the Scan is completed - the log files is found in C Drive in LOGS in CBS - you will need to run under Administrator to view it (the report that is); if everything is cleared - it will indicate that everything is cleared. If there were errors, it will indicate that it was logged --> Just so that you would know in advance.

The correction in my last paragraph of where the file is located:

C Drive - Windows - System32 - Logs - CBS

I apologize for this slight oversight for those who are wanting to review the entire format. And in addition; it does make it easier to read via Notepad in "Word-Wrap" format than any other options (for your info) for easier reading.

Today it let me walk passed it, but died when i vacuum in front of it. lost display and hung. picture went out, audio stopped, but the computer appeared to still be running, at least the lights were still on, it was just dead?

So I decided, since I am cleaning anyways, lets rip this thing out and have a look.

it is almost perfectly clean, a tiny bit of dust near the back of the case where the CPu fan blows passed.
None of the caps appear to be bulging.
Everything appears to be plugged in tight, I took out my RAM and examined it. It is 3 chips of 3 different makes, 1 of them is slower than the other two.
Its spring now, so humidity is back up.
This latest [breakdown] was with the front door closed.
No funny smells in the case.

Using a flash light, I looked into the power supply, I see nothing obvious.
The temperatures at the time of freezup (I had speedfan open checking portable drive SMART data) 45 CPU 38 GPU, HDD1 was at 25C, HDD2 was at 28C.

A new motherboard plus a new graphic card would be a good investment for the future, minus one ghost.

Many folks use a wireless mouse, keyboard, printer etal, which operate on infrared light (IR)

Is it possible that the IR sense is detecting a normal level of IR light, which is interrupted by your passage by the thing? Do you have wireless stuff on it, or are you using wireless connection? Many, many, many devices* operate on 900 mHz and 2.4 gHz these days (routers and more).... perhaps you're interrupting a constant signal on one of these bands, that's coming from a device in your home, or somebody else's (the condominium).

*Routers, cordless phones, remote control ANYTHING, garage door triggers, etc... Even an un-used wireless keyboard that's stored in a closet with the batteries still inside.

With 2 matching ones. I will see if the problem continues...