Help - Can't stop rebooting

My computer keeps rebooting and I'm getting sick of it. Should I buy a new computer?

Absolutely buy a new computer. Every time someone gets a new computer it's good for the industry and good for society. Somebody gets a hand me down computer that is a little better than the last one, or someone is able to have a computer instead of having to trek to the library in the rain. The more computers the better.

You didn't ask me if you should get a new computer because of the reboot problem. Did you? Well, no, you don't have to buy a new computer for that.

The two main areas I've seen (non virus related, always check security first) responsible for repeated reboots are software conflicts and power compromise.

Software conflicts often show up on Wednesday morning or after you've installed new software. Microsoft does automatic updates on Tuesdays and many people come in Wednesday and find their machine mysteriously re-booted over night. That's not what you're talking about, right? But when Microsoft updates, things other than Microsoft get affected. An obscure driver for a program that seems to be working just fine can suddenly find itself in conflict with Microsoft and their struggle takes the machine down – and it reboots. What's the solution for this? Everybody updates! If a driver crashes on your system, it is crashing on thousands of systems and there will be a fix - I mean, update. Keep visiting the software manufacturer's site and keep updated, keep Microsoft updates on auto, and roll back if you must.

The other common software conflict is the clash of anti-virus programs. The rule is ONE anti-virus program and ONE spyware program. More than one of each will cause fights that bring you down.

Power compromise can be caused by overheating from dirt or a failing power supply. Everything smell OK? Computers can take a lot, but it wouldn't kill someone to vaccuum behind there. Just sayin'.