My desktop (11.1 x86_64, Phenom II, 6GB, NVidia) has suddenly started rebooting itself - as if I pressed the reset button. Is there a way to have Linux watch itself and note what error(s) precipitated this? There is a strange high frequency buzz that changes pitch all the time - it sometimes tracks video changes, sometime hard drive access - I think I remember that leaky capacitors can do this. It doesn’t sound like a hard drive (many have crashed for me over the decades).
I’m trying to avoid trial-and-error replacing one thing at a time, mobo, memory, power supply, video card, and so on…
Thanks!
So tell us what kind of computer like brand or if this is a clone or home made rig. Spontaneous reboots indicate an unstable computer and the number one culprit is memory. However, a bad power supply is also a possibility. If this is a dual boot computer it is useful to know if both Windows and openSUSE do the same things.
My first step in a such a case is a complete computer cleaning, unless it is brand new or you just cleaned it. I go buy a couple cans of duster spray, disconnect the PC from all cables, take it outside, during the day with lots of light, open up the case and blow out all dust from all devices. Alternate between the two cans of spray as they get cold and the amount of air goes down, even though the cans are not empty. I normally reseat all connectors one at a time and do the same for memory. Make sure you observer all connectors and memory before you take any action with cables or cards to make sure all gets back in the right place.
Once the computer is clean and all cards, cables, connectors and memory have been reseated, then you test again to see if the computer is still rebooting. Then, it may be time to find and run a memory or other utility on the computer. If the power supply can be replaced and the PC is young and something you plan on keeping, I normally take the opportunity to buy a new one that puts out more power. I normally replace and upgrade memory next, perhaps moving from 4 to 8 GB if possible. Finally I look for a replacement motherboard compatible with my CPU and fan. Hard drives also fail, but most often they just don’t boot and have many read errors, but rebooting the PC is not really normal.
CPU’s very seldom fail. I have owned many computers over the years and I blew up one and had one over heat and that is it. All others were sold, gave away or just got too slow to use any more. So, perhaps something here might be useful with the problems that you are seeing with your PC.
Thank You,