The Computer Restarts Unexpectedly in Windows Vista

The Computer Restarts Unexpectedly in Windows Vista

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In this document:
Step 1: Disabling Automatically restart option to view error messages
Step 2: Checking for failed hardware
Step 3: Windows restarts after a Windows Update is installed
Step 3a: Download and install driver patch solution
Step 3b: Reinstall Microsoft SATA disk driver solution
This document pertains to HP and Compaq computers with Windows Vista.
If Windows Vista suddenly starts without warning, or restarts when you try to shut it down, it may be because your operating system is set to automatically restart when certain system errors occur. This feature of the Windows Vista operating system can be disabled. Use the information below to disable the Automatically Restart option.

NOTE: In addition to the steps in this article, updating video card drivers is known to resolve many of the problems that can cause the computer to restart.

Step 1: Disabling Automatically restart option to view error messages
You can prevent the computer from restarting by turning off the Automatically Restart option:

Click Start .
Right-click Computer, and click Properties
Click Advanced system settings.
Click the Advanced tab and select Settings in the Startup and Recovery section.
Remove the check mark next to Automatically restart under System Failure.
Click OK to close the Startup and Recovery window and click OK, again, and then close the System Properties window.
Restart the computer.

NOTE: The computer will no longer restart automatically when a problem occurs. Instead a blue screen appears with more useful information. You can now search for a resolution using the text from the error.

Step 2: Checking for failed hardware
Heat buildup can cause hardware and software to stop working properly. Heat buildup can cause the computer to unexpectedly restart or provide a blue fault message. Also, memory and processors can overheat due to dust build up. For more information, see Reducing Heat Inside the PC .
HP Hardware Diagnostic Tools for Windows is a hardware diagnostic program that you can use to test your computer hardware. For more information about using HP Hardware Diagnostics Tools to find hardware problems with your memory and processors, see Using Hardware Diagnostic Tools to Test for Hardware Problems .

Step 3: Windows restarts after a Windows Update is installed
If you have a Microsoft Windows Vista computer that uses the NVIDIA nForce MCP51.N/cP61 graphic card, your computer may experience system restarts and Microsoft Online Crash Analysis (OCA) messages after running Microsoft Windows Update or performing an Automatic Update.
Microsoft released an optional driver update on Windows update in March 2007 entitled, NVIDIA Corporation driver update for NVIDIA nForce 430/410 Serial ATA Controller. The addition of the updated NVIDIA driver on Windows Update triggered an installation of the NVIDIA driver on these computers.
On March 25th Microsoft changed the priority to Important Update. If Automatic Updates was enabled, the computer may have installed the update automatically and then restarted.
If your computer restarts automatically after a Windows Update, try the following two solutions:
Step 3a: Download and install driver patch solution
HP has released a software update to adress this issue. Go to the HP Software and Driver download page , enter the model number of your computer, select the operating system, and then select Microsoft Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller Update (sp34939) from the list of upates. Read the instructions on the download page to install the software.

Step 3b: Reinstall Microsoft SATA disk driver solution
HP Vista computers that use the Microsoft SATA disk driver do not experience automatic restarts. If you updated your Windows XP computer to a Windows Vista capable computer using an HP upgrade solution, this Microsoft SATA disk driver is available to reinstall.
To reinstall the Microsoft SATA disk driver, follow the instructions below.

Click Start on the taskbar.
Click All Programs, PC Help & Support, and then select Recovery Manager to open the Recovery Manager window.
If prompted, click Continue.
Click Next to continue.
The next window asks if you want to perform a program recovery. Select No, and then click Next.
The next window asks if you want to perform a driver recovery. Select Yes, and then click Next.
Click Next again to continue.
Select Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller from the list of drivers, and then click Next. The reinstallation process takes a few seconds.
Figure 1: Recovery Manager Driver Reinstallation Screen
Click Finish to restart your computer.