2

We have a PC (Dell Optiplex 760, WinXP SP3) that hangs periodically, like really hangs - everything frozen, can't reboot from keyboard, only way out is hold the power button down to turn it off and restart. RAM tests fine. The computer is not running any software that isn't running trouble-free on other machines

Anyway, the PC is required to be running for remote access.

Is there any way to perform a scheduled reboot of a PC that is probably not in a state where it can execute code. I realise that this will probably only be possible if there is hardware/BIOS support for it and I haven't found any. I just thought someone might have solved this one.

Improve this question
10
  • 2
    If the processor supports it, you could try to use the on-board watchdog timer.
    – Breakthrough
    Dec 9, 2012 at 21:27
  • You have a warranty. Use it.
    – Michael Hampton
    Dec 9, 2012 at 21:49
  • 2
    this might be of help :) thedailywtf.com/Articles/ITAPPMONROBOT.aspx
    – Waleed Hamra
    Dec 9, 2012 at 21:51
  • If your computer completely freezes to the point where cntrl alt delete do not work, then probably not.
    – cutrightjm
    Dec 9, 2012 at 22:06
  • Thanks @Breakthrough. 760 doesn't support the WDT.
    – rossmcm
    Dec 9, 2012 at 22:17

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

After some experimenting we have concluded that the problem of our Internet gateway PC freezing was a result of something (we suspect the USB wireless modem drivers - only because of some chatter suggesting it has been observed elsewhere) that has problems running code in a multiple core environment. Specifically, using MSCONFIG to change the boot configuration so that the machine only runs one core has eliminated the problem for at least 5 days, whereas when running on 2 cores, the PC would not run for more than a few hours before locking up.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .