I've got two problems. One with my computer, and one with my brother's. My Computer For several weeks now, there have been occasions where almost everyday, there is a time when my computer randomly decides to shut down without warning. Like, no shut down signal or anything. It just turns off. I want to say the cause might be a virus. I know this computer doesn't overheat, so I don't think that's it. Any ideas as to what could be the problem and how I can fix this? My Brother's Computer Starting today, my brother's computer has been continually restarting. He has Windows XP, and for those of you who use XP, you turn on your computer and you get to the point where it says Windows XP and it has the bar where it loads and then after maybe 20 seconds it goes to the log in screen with the accounts and such. Well, after the screen with the bar, before it goes to the log in screen, the computer restarts itself. I know for a fact that John has had a virus, if not several, on his computer for quite some time. We don't know whether it's a virus or a hardware problem, because I had a computer years ago with the same issue and eventually, the hard drive fucked off and the computer died. I don't know if my brother's computer is going down the same path, or if it's something else. Anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it? Thanks!
your computer: - possibly overheating, monitor your temperatures? - possible virus, do a virus scan? - any recent hardware upgrades? you may have conflicting hardware, or just some bad parts. your brother's computer: - probably a virus, try starting into safe mode - if not above, possibly hardware finally dieing off?
Your brother: My lil brother had exactly the same problem, it would turn on, get to the screen where you pick your account, and log in. Solution - Open the case, and make sure the fan is attached properly to the processor. Once you done that, just turn on the comp again. That may sound wierd, but it DID work.
When your computer's booting up, keep pressing F8, then you'll get a menu. Once you're in there, try a virus scan. If you can't boot into safe mode, it's probably hardware related, like Tom said, as nothing can run automatically in safe mode.
We tried the safe mode. It didn't work. We're going to try the fan thing, and see if there's anything else that looks like it may be causing the problem. I'll let you know what happens.
Your computer: Check for loose PCI/AGP/RAM, its a longshot, but might as well try it. Also could be a power supply issue. Your brother: Put in a Windows XP disk and boot it up as though you were going to install, but when you get the menu that says hit enter to install or R for recovery console, press R. Once you login to the XP install with recovery console (very straightforward) type 'chkdsk /r /f' If you cant use both of those (recovery console limits the switches on chkdsk) do 'chkdsk /r' or 'chkdsk /f' I really cant remember which one it is, but try them all. That should get him back and running.
I went to a website and it said both, I don't know if my brother just held it. I'll ask him and see if it that way works. And Neil, if he does that, will he get all of his files and such?
No that's just a disk checking utility and its just going to search for screwed up sectors on the hard drive.
Ah, so he's all set then. Once my dad gets back from out of town he'll find the XP disc and we'll see what happens. Thanks for all the advice though, guys. If there are any other suggestions, please let us know. I'll let you guys know what happens. Although I'd like some more suggestions for my computer. It's a laptop, by the way, if that makes any difference.