I am running windows98.

About 4 days ago my computer just restarted. It was on about 5 min. The next day it did the same thing. Today it did it about 6 times, it would not start in safe mode or safe mode command prompt. High heat is not a problem as the computer was off beforehand. No new programs installed for at least a week before problem but then upgraded Java and installed Visual Basic. Once it's going , as now, there seems to be no problem at all.

Ran scan disk, no problems,

Regularly run norton windows diagnosis and no problems.

Just interested in what your hunch might be.

Thx

how long on this install ??

% freespace on drives ??

ever clean the registary ??

we need a more precise description of the problem.

hunch: mainboard may be on its way out. win98 indicates this is an ancient machine.

if it needs several attempts to "get going" sort of like an old engine, it's a sign of hardware failure.

whatever it is: back up your hard drive! now!

I too would say motherboard. Backup any critical data and get a new(er) machine.

A good way to rule out hardware as a cause is to download the bootable "Knoppix CD".

You boot from it and run your system.

If it still restarts, hardware failure.

If not, probably software related.

You can download Knoppix from here:

http://www.knopper.net/knoppix-mirrors/index-en.html

Use this one: KNOPPIX_V5.1.0CD-2006-12-30-EN.iso

The one above is quite large, around 700 mb.

If you like a smaller version (In iso format) you can try "###### small Linux"

It's only about 50 mb:

http://www.damnsmalllinux.org/download.html

Both these CD's are full linux systems that can be run directly from CD or usb stick.

Motherboard - had same symptoms in a new laptop.

Hi

if there was a problem with the motherboard, i doubt you would be able to get everything booted and running in the first place. this is a power issue. your PSU (Power Supply Unit), which includes the power switch at the back of the box (if there is one), may not be powerful enough, or may be overheating if there's a lot of fluff on the air vent near its fan. This cause is even more likely if you have added peripherals like hard drives (internal or USB), CD drives etc since you bought the machine. These things draw power from the PSU which was only designed to power the 'vanilla' machine.

in this case you will need to buy a higher powered PSU. you can install it yourself, just make sure you remember what things you unplugged in what order (the PSU will have a LOT of similar looking sockets) and plug the new PSU into the various drives in the same way. and make sure you are earthed by wearing rubber soles (eg trainers/sneakers) and touching non-critical metal surfaces before you handle disk drives etc.

PS - do yourself a favour and get a better operating system. it will make things run quicker and more reliably. I still think windows 2000 is the best if you're technically minded - if not, do the XP thing.

hope this helps

H.