Windows 98 machines constantly shutting down/rebooting
 

OK TFP, help me out here. I have heard from several people in IT that they are seeing windows 98 machines that are constantly rebooting themselves.

The machines are generally acting very similar to the RPC problem with NT/2k/XP but I don't think there is an error message involved. I haven't been able to find anything on google or anywhere else.

I have heard of updated NAV versions being able to kill the problem, but can't confirm that and don't have any details of whether or not it actually worked.

So basically, I think there's a trend. But I can't find it. Has anyone seen this or figured out what it was?

Constant rebooting is usually a hardware issue--either a flaky power supply or failing RAM.

I would run some stress tests on the RAM in the affected systems.

I wish it was that simple. These are machines in different locations, different hardware types, different network connections, etc. It really does seem like SOMEthing is going on with Win98/ME which is similar to the blaster worm/RPC hack. But even the on-site guys are stumped by it as of this morning. They agree that there must be a trend, but they can't find it.

sounds virusy to me...

maybe its what my wifes puter had.. replace or check your power supply.. her puter was shutting down and turning on constantly for two weeks.. leave it off for days then it would work fine for 2-4 hours then it would start its crap again.. I replaced the power supply this past weekend .. it stopped

How many machines are actually exhibiting this problem? Considering the machines are at different locations, with different networks, can actually increase your odds of having simultaneous hardware problems. Simple laws of probability.

You should give the machines a thorough scan for viruses and spyware. Did the IT department, or the users, install something recently that might have disrupted the system? You know, Mary at the office emails this cute little proggy of a cat that runs around the screen while you work. Next thing you know it's on 5 computers.

I would still check the hardware: RAM, overheating, and power.

I've had sudden hardware failures that just seem impossible to believe, but they were legit. In fact, I've had a few network cables in my office just fritz out. Worked one minute, dead/flaky the next. CPU fans get weak and the processor burns out. Etc.