Posted: 7/9/2004 3:10:20 AM EDT
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I'm a recovering technophobe with borderline Luddite tendancies. My home computer has started this this of suddenly shutting down and restarting every few minutes. Have any of you seen this? Could it be a hardware problem, or have you seen a virus like this? There isn't anything on the operator's part triggering it. I can be typing away or just staring at it. The screen goes black and then the computer restarts. Sometimes I start to think these things are more trouble than they're worth. |
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its a virus more than likely, can't rem now which one that caused that now. But by now should have a ton of them on your PC. Two solutions to the problem. Get a virus program and run windows update. Other soloution,, Pick up AR, Load mags, take PC out doors and unload with that evil grin of oh I will show you MFPOS pc look on your face. Both work. But the 2nd is much more fullfilling. ym |
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It can be one of any number of issue… > How long has it been since the operating system was installed? Its not uncommon for operating systems, even XP, to act goofy after a year or two. > Are there lots of extra components that draw more power than your power supply is capable of? Typical culprits are weak power supply powering multiple hard drives, or a newer graphics card that have higher wattage requirements. > It could also be a blown capacitor on the mother board – since this is a recent issue that been appearing lately. |
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My old PC started doing that, and luckily I noticed that the fan didn't seem to be running at nearly the speed that we thought it should be. Turns out that it was going bad, and swapping out the fan with a new cleared it right up. (It's stil going strong in my daughter's room.) YMMV |
Windows Me
I went to Microsoft's website and downloaded whatever updates I could find. {quote]Hardware firewall? Software firewall? Not yet. I have RoadRunner, and I just heard that they have a firewall I can set up. I'll be trying that when I get home. Virus program? Norton System Works Pop-up blocker? Yes. Messenger service stopped? I don't have an IM program installed at this time. Got Tannerite? Thinking seriously about it. |
| As old as your computer is my first guess is that it is over heating. Open the case up and get something to blow all the crap off the heat sink and see if that doesn't solve the problem. Check the heatsink fan, is it running? You might (careful could be hot) touch the base of the heat sink itself just to see how hot it is. If it is too hot to keep your hand on it I would suspect that. If that is not your problem, my next bet would be the power supply starting to fail but my bet is heat. |
About 4 years, as I recall. Thanks for the tip. |
+1 The CPU probably is overheating. This happened to me when the 3pin "CPU Fan" plug on my Mobo crapped out and the fan stopped running. I just plugged the fan into another 3pin, and everything was fine. |
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Get windows XP simply because WinME sucks in comparison. If the restarts and shut-downs seem random and are like hitting the reset button, Don't touch your computer until you've replaced the power-supply. Every bad restart can fuck up files (I've had that happen, and it only meant bad things). In any case, get a good PSU. I'd recommend something along the lines of an Enermax (which will give you stable voltages, atleast for a very long time [cheapos usually lasted me a year or so]). |
+1 you need an OS that has login ability and individual accounts with Non- Administrator privileges. Like Windows XP Home or Pro or as least Windows 2000 Pro. Then there's always Linux where virii are much less of an issue. But the learning curve can be steep for those that have never touched it before. Although I must say it is easier to use than ever now. |
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RoadRunner without any firewall = f***ing a scabby, AIDs ridden hooker w/o a rubber. As long as your standing their with your kilt in the air anyway, download SpyBot and AdAware. Then unplug from the internet and install/run the programs. Go to a store and buy something like Norton Internet Security. INstall that and THEN plug back into the Matrix. Could be a hardware problem you have as well but I guarantee you your sytem is compromised if you've been on broadband without protection. |
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When it shuts down, does it give you an error or anything? Doesit say something like "Fatal exception with lsass.exe" or anything, or does it start counting down from 60 or 30 seconds or anything? Because if it does, you either have the blaster or sasser worm. Which I haven't personally seen these hit win-me. But if its not giving you a count down, it could be a number of other issues. I would go to symantec's website. There you can download simple worm removal programs that run and tell you if you have one of them. Thats where I'd start first if I were you. About the Win-ME. Yeah, I don't like it one bit. Would I rush out and drop $100 or $200 on a new Operating System? Not yet. If Win-ME works for you, cool, keep it I don't know if its a worm or not, or if its hardware-related without digging into the case and examining some of the hardware, but its a start. Hope this helps. Curt |
Wow. Thanks for the suggestions (and a couple whacks on my noggin [;) ). I tell the IT guys at work that I'm job security for them.I've made a list of everything here and will be busy with it this weekend. BTW, the shutdown is sudden and on restart I get the "Windows has detected an improper shutdown and is checking for errors..." like if you turned it off from the power strip. According to MS's site the sasser doesn't affect Me. |
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I didn't initially think it was either worm, because they aren't "Supposed" to hit ME. But, I wanted to be sure you weren't getting that error, because it would be a simple fix, and no one else had mentioned it. My first thought would also be the power supply. You should be able to pick one up for fairly cheap from some little computer-repair shop. I got one 3 years ago for under $50. |
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Browhawk, I've been doing this full time for over 10 years Start by doing a dummy test... boot off a floppy (does anyone remember these things?) or a boot CD. Don't even click on anything just keep it from loading windows... let it sit... and see if it reboots. If it does, you (100%) have a hardware failure. If it does not, you (90%) have a software problem. Many of the above msgs have great advice. Software problem: Install norton AV, run full scan. Install Ad-aware and spybot, run them both Install HiJackThis and post up the results, I or someone else can look through and tell you what (probably) is the problem I've had decent results with Norton windoctor (part of norton utils or system works) in the past Hardware problem: #1 Open the case and look inside, then turn it on and see if any of the fans are not spinning (I would look start by looking at the power supply and the CPU fans. The case fan(s) is not so important on older computers) #2 If #1 does not resolve the problem my next step is to pull all the accessory cards except video (unless everything is built in) such as network card, sound card, modem, etc. Finding a lockup problem is easiest solved by swapping out parts. If you don't have parts to swap out (ie an extra power supply, extra video card, extra memory) you may not be able to determine the problem. You may find that no matter what you do you can't fix the problem. I spent the better part of a weekend isolating a random lockup problem to a short somewhere on the system board(aka motherboard). It sucks when the lockup only happens after playing a game for 30 to 90 minutes :). If it's your motherboard you are better off simply upgrading. This week in the frys ad you can buy a 2500 amd chip (with fan) and system board for like $80. You will need a few more things, but they have the memory on sale too, and a case for $40. You will be able to pull everything else from your existing computer (my current home computer still has a teac 1.44 floppy from my first 486 I bought in 93 or 94.) including floppy, hard drive, CD-rom, CD-RW and all the cables. You will have to reload your operating system.... that brings me to the OS... Windows ME is crap, as soooo many above have said. Windows 2000 was the first decent OS microshaft built. Windows XP pro is good too, but I've seen problems in recent days. I tell everyone to stick with 2000. As Mordak said above, if you go with 2000 or XP create your administrator account, set a good password, install all your programs, do all your updates, and create an everyday user account for yourself that does not have administrator rights and use it day to day. Without admin rights much of the adware and viruses will not be able to load on your computer since your login does not have the rights to. sorry if that was too much... feel free to e-mail if you have questions. |