Without warning computer began to restart itself

The other day, with no warning my computer began to restart by itself, and after doing it a few times it came up with a message asking me to start up in safe mode or the last time the computer settings were optimal and several other options. I chose the second option but now every time i start up, the display settings are stuck on 800x600 with 4 bit colour quality and i cant change it back. What can I do?

This question was answered on June 22, 2004. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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To whom it may concern:

Constant restarting is usually a issue of overheating There are a few things you can check in your computer to make sure it is properly cooled

Make sure you have atleast one fan in the front of your case blowing air to the back and atleast one fan in the back blowing the hot air out This will keep air circulation throughout your case cooling the case down considerably If you can put 2 in the front and 2 in the back.

If your case fans are fine, second thing to do is make sure you do not have your computer next to something hot, such as your monitor, or next to a heater

If your case is not near any source of heat, next and last thing to check would be your CPU fan and heatsink First make sure your fan is working and is blowing towards the heatsink If that is fine make sure your heatsink is tightly secure, if it is tightly secure remove the heatsink and check if there is a substance between the heatsink and CPU if there is not, that is the problem why your computer is restarting The CPU is overheating If there is no substance you can buy something called silicone which is a white substance, and in my opinion is not that great An alternative is something called Artic Silver, you can buy this at many online retailers including www.newegg.com and/or www.coolerguys.com When you do get the substance in put a think layer on the CPU core, once you have done that tighly secure your heatsink/fan back on to the CPU And the CPU should/will not overheat any more.

Regards,

Dimitrios Theodorou

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Posted by Dimitrios of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on June 22, 2004

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