Reboot with checkdisc

[Teabag]

HI, I have an Acer Aspire with win xp home. It has been trouble free for three years but now it keeps rebooting and then runs a checkdisc. Sometimes it finds something, sometimes nothing. It reboots if I plug anything into a USB port or the PCMCIA. and when I am loading software. I have checked in device manager and it says the ports are all working ok. I have even run the system recovery (from Acer) so the pc is back to 'out of the box' condition, with the C drive re-formatted etc. It still does it. I am also having problems installing some of the windows updates. It downloads them but fails to install them. Anyone got any ideas because I'm stumped.
Thanks
Teabag

[Ethel]

First thought is turn off check disk using regedit.
Start - run

Type

Regedit

Enter.

Click Hkey local machine
System
Current control set
Control
Session manager

Can you see Reg Multi sz?

[Ethel]

If you can see that, remove autocheck autochk

Set a system restore point first!

[Teabag]

Hi Ethel
Yes when I click on session manager there are three reg_multi_sz. one is next to bootexecute, one next to excludefromknowndlls, and one next to objectdirectories. the one at bootexecute has autocheck autochk* on the right side

[Teabag]

Right, I've deleted the data for that one, it's stopped the check from running, but I still get a rebot when I plug anything into a usb. any ideas
thanks Ethel

[ChuckFickens]

if ti really has been put back to "as new" and the drive has been reformatted and you have downloaded and installed all the drivers from the acer website (especially the chipset drivers) I would start to think you may have a hardware fault

[Teabag]

Hi Chuck, I ran the full system recovery from the discs supplied by Acer, which included reformatting the C drive, but I haven't been to the acer website for the drivers. do you think I should do that as well?

[ChuckFickens]

yes, it's a really easy site to use too!

Look for the chipset drivers and install them, if you still have a rebooting problem when you plug anything into the USB I really would start to think it's a hardware fault.

Probably a good idea to get all the latest drivers while your there.

[ACtheTROLL]

a system restore should include the drivers.
what virus software are you using?

what service pack(s) is installed from the restore
are you updating after the restore ....
(ideally go straight to sp3
does the problem start from new or after the update?

update drivers before you install the servicepack

[Ethel]

I'm sorry my suggestion didn't work. Hope you get sorted soon

[Teabag]

Thanks for your help all,
Hi ACtheTROLL, I did the system restore from the acer discs, so I think the drivers would be included there. I had to update to SP3 over the web, which caused a few slight hiccups but ok now. I use comodo firewall and antivirus, which are both running ok and don't show any nasties. The problem is still the same as before the restore, it reboots and runs chkdsk whenever I plug something into the usb ports or the pcmcia, and also when I am part way through installing progs from discs, whih means that I am having trouble getting back some of the stuff I had on before. I can't work out if it's a hardware prob or a software one. Any thoughts?
Thanks Teabag

[ACtheTROLL]

does the restart thing happen straigh after you use the restore disc and before you run any updates / install any software?

This is going to be a pain ... if it was me doing this
I'd restore the original disc
see if it happens ...
install 1 prog ... see if it happens
install another .... guess what?
and just keep going.
I'd not bother with virus software immediately - just accept you'll be doing a clean install again when you know what the problem is.

sp3 is available on a magazine disc - and that would be the one I'd do first .... rather than letting windows update decide on the order

then once the updates are done ... add the virus and firewall ....

it's a rainy day job ... at least you can sit in front of the telly and just press a key or two occasionally

[Teabag]

Hi ACtheTROLL, ok I've done that, even borrowed a disc for sp3. Followed the advice word for word, but although everthing is working very well (quicker actually) I still get the reboot if I use the USBs. It runs chkdsk and finds a few things. If I leave a mouse in the usb, it lights up but won't work. The device manager still shows all to be ok, so I wonder if it is a software conflict??
Thanks
Teabag

[Teabag]

Forgot to say I've run comodo av, ad-aware, spybot s&d, and windows defender and all showed no problems.

[ACtheTROLL]

so the restart thing happened as soon as you reloaded and started windows from the restore disc ... nothing else loaded no internet?

[Teabag]

hi troll, yes it happened without anything else being loaded and with no internet connected. just for you info, the problem started on thursday before i had done anything, i only used the restore discs to se if it would cure the problem, but it hasn't

[Teabag]

forgot, it only reboots when i plug something into the usb ports

[ACtheTROLL]

what is his destructive something?
or is it some things (still what)
is it all your USB devices?

I've seen this with virus checker - thinks that whatever is plugged in will need checking ... then hangs....

if a device generates errors windows knocks the speed down then locks it out

I suspect this is the device and not the PC

[Teabag]

It reboots whenever I plug any device into any of the three usb ports. It happens with a mouse, all five of my memory sticks, the usb phone, the camera lead etc etc. It also reboots when the wireless pcmcia card is inserted into that socket as well. The only thing that I can plug in is the ethernet lead. By the way, if I leave the usb device in while it reboots, when it's finished and I'm back to desktop, the device has power (ie it's light is on) but it won't work.
thanks
teabag

[ACtheTROLL]

you could try updating the drivers
chipset ... and usb if they are seperate.

.... but i doubt it .... I've got to say I'd be reaching for a screwdriver about now.
without actually getting hold of the hardware ... I'm stumped

I have testing tools and software but can't do it this way

you could try sisoft sandra (free) http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/
or
http://www.usbman.com/

but I'm beat -
unless someone else can see the light - I don't know what else to suggest.

[Teabag]

Thanks Troll, I will try those free utilities, you never know! I can't work it out either. I have tried updating the drivers but it makes no difference. If all else fails I will have to take it in to the shop and pay! If it's a hardware fault it will probably not be worth repairing, so I'll have to save up for another one, and use this one without any usb or pcmcia ports. If the shop finds what it is I will post it on here.
Thanks again
Teabag