My computer keeps randomly turning off what could this be?
ahah! If you have Windows XP, you got a virus, probably called msblast. Do alt-ctrl-del, then task manager then process, and see if there is a msblast.exe running. If so, end the process and search google on how to remove that virus (it's quite simple, actually). And set Windows Update to automatically tell you when updates are available. It would have prevented this.
Yes update and run a virus scan on your PC ASAP! It could also be some spyware. Do you have Anti-virus software?
Update would have blocked the intrusion, but it won't kick it out now that it's in. Try running an antivirus, for kicks. And I still suggest you do a search on google about the msblast virus, McAfee and the likes have little programs (free, I think) that will get you rid of it with no hassle. I'm saying this because I'm not positive about its name being msblast in the task manager. Double check the processes running, look for some suspect process. Otherwise ... uh ... I dunno. :|
We've got one of our servers doing this the last couple of days - appears to be a bad power supply (and video card, but that's another story). Can also update your BIOS and ensure you've got all updates, and do the spybot thing. if you want to be totally sure it's not software issue before calling in the hardware police, can re-install XP from scratch. What's a dozen + hours between us and Bill Gates? Good luck!
why? it means nothing if you don't have the box updated before you hook it up to the net. besides, I think tjacoby is hinting at your issue, if it is turning off, it could very well be the power supply itself. but it is that random? or is it in windows itself? you could always boot up to the windows xp cdrom, put a floppy in the drive, leave it be for ~30 minutes/hour/two hours, come back and if you are rebooted to the floppy, then that would hint the power supply.
Remember i'm being comfused cause i'm 12 but... still. I had to reinstall 3 times cause 1 time it frozze on the select safe mode normal and all that and it kept doing that so i ahd to reinstall. Where is the power supply? what should i do with it?
Could also be heat dissipation problem. When was the last time you cleared away the dust inside the PC? Clean the fans on the computer case and on top of the CPU. Brush away the dust on the MB, expansion cards etc. If you have a quick graphics card inside, it can create a lot of heat inside the PC case as well. Also, check if your memory chips are OK. There are numerous software out there that can check the integrity of your PC hardware. Sisoft Sandra is one you can download from http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/. Power supply is located where the power cord connects to your PC case on the back. On a tower case, it's typically on the top-back side of the PC case.
Get all updates and service packs from Microsoft. Download all the latest drivers for your hardware. Download and run the free trial of F-Prot antivirus for Windows. Open up the Ondemand scanner via the Start>All Programs menu, and select the scan wizard. Set it so it scans all files on all hard drives, including compressed files, and disinfects without confirmation. If the disinfection fails, set it so it deletes suspicious macros and application files (these will be direct virus/worm/trojan/backdoor executables). This won't work 100% unless you do the following: - Remove programs from starting up with Windows by disabling them in msconfig. Go to the start menu, then run, and type in msconfig. Disable everything in the startup menu when running the antivirus program. Then restore whatever you want afterwards. Note that the more programs starting up on Windows bootup, the longer the bootup takes. Also, lots of programs running in the background reduces performance. - Delete all the temp files in the directory C:\Documents and Settings\*your user name*\Local Settings\temp - Run disk cleanup, making sure to delete all the old system restore profiles. Then run Adaware with latest updates. If you do the above correctly (something which can't be checked without seeing your computer and what you do in first person) and it still doesn't stop your problems, then it's likely that your system is overheating. Often when PC's reach a certain temperature they'll reboot so as not to cause any damage. If this is the case, add case fans (sucking in at the front, blowing out at the back) and/or replace any faulty internal fans. You may also have a faulty or insufficient power supply unit. What task are you performing on the computer when it reboots? What are the specifications of your system, and what power supply is running it? Another more remote possibility is a motherboard fault.
30-50 bucks for a new powersupply. stop reinstalling, it's obviously doing you no good, unless it is a blatant user error.
my computer just made a sound like when you thro rocks in a fan....and it started and restarted 10 times so thats like 26 times today
open up the case, see where exactly the noise is coming from. is it coming from the power supply? that's where the system is plugged into in the rear. or is it coming from a fan internally? or a fan that is on top or directing air away from or directly to the cpu, which is where the large heat sink is located?
I've updated my post. Follow the steps in it an your problem will be fixed. If you're incapable of doing so, I suggest you get someone more computer literate to follow them for you.
