My 'puter is acting up!

[Kazza]

This afternoon, I was using my PC non- chalantly, minding my own bussiness when all the sudden it started to shut down on me! I was like " I haven't finished yet" What can be going on with it??

[Brian]

I think this is the part where robyrob comes in and gives computer advice.

robyrob to the rescue!

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Brian
I think this is the part where robyrob comes in and gives computer advice.

robyrob to the rescue!

oh goodness


what version of windows? does it give any error messages or any warning signs before it shuts off? is it making any strange noises or smells? will it reboot into windows OK if you just turn it on again right away?

how long will it stay on for before it reboots?

Reach around the back of the computer where the exhaust fan is for the power supply (there should be a round vent somewhere near the top) you should feel hot air coming out, if there isn't the fan may not be working, and it may be overheating.

It could be a bad power supply or a bad fan on the motherboard, the trick is to find out if this actually a hardware or a software problem - try boot into the BIOS setup program - when you first power on the machine it should give you an option to enter "Setup" (usually F1, F2 or the "Delete" key). Let it sit there at the BIOS screen longer than what it takes to shut down. If it DOES - you have a hardware problem, that means $$ to replace parts.

You COULD try open up the case and blow out the dust and power it on to SEE if all the fans are working, but only do so if you are comfortable with it.

If it DOESNT shut down, it MAY be a software problem - best bet is go into Safemode (tap the "F8 key as you are booting up) and try a system restore (Windows XP only).

oh and cross your fingers

[Kazza]

Originally posted by robyrob
oh goodness


what version of windows? does it give any error messages or any warning signs before it shuts off? is it making any strange noises or smells? will it reboot into windows OK if you just turn it on again right away?

how long will it stay on for before it reboots?

Reach around the back of the computer where the exhaust fan is for the power supply (there should be a round vent somewhere near the top) you should feel hot air coming out, if there isn't the fan may not be working, and it may be overheating.

It could be a bad power supply or a bad fan on the motherboard, the trick is to find out if this actually a hardware or a software problem - try boot into the BIOS setup program - when you first power on the machine it should give you an option to enter "Setup" (usually F1, F2 or the "Delete" key). Let it sit there at the BIOS screen longer than what it takes to shut down. If it DOES - you have a hardware problem, that means $$ to replace parts.

You COULD try open up the case and blow out the dust and power it on to SEE if all the fans are working, but only do so if you are comfortable with it.

If it DOESNT shut down, it MAY be a software problem - best bet is go into Safemode (tap the "F8 key as you are booting up) and try a system restore (Windows XP only).

oh and cross your fingers

It's an XP Home version 2000. No error msgs, the screen just starts 'blinking' while is thinking about kicking me off. No smells or noises of any kind. It reboots fine. It doesn't stay on for long, I get the msg "Windows is shutting down' and there she goes. hot Air comes out from the fan on the back. Doesn't seem to have a hardware problem or a software one either after checking off the list you made

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
It's an XP Home version 2000. No error msgs, the screen just starts 'blinking' while is thinking about kicking me off. No smells or noises of any kind. It reboots fine. It doesn't stay on for long, I get the msg "Windows is shutting down' and there she goes. hot Air comes out from the fan on the back. Doesn't seem to have a hardware problem or a software one either after checking off the list you made

gimme a minute to check something...

[robyrob]

Originally posted by robyrob
gimme a minute to check something...

when it gives you that message that it is shutting down hold down the "Windows" key and press the "R", type in "CMD" and enter, then at the command prompt type in: "shutdown.exe -a" and enter

is your antivirus software up-to-date?

[robyrob]

it SOUNDS like you have a variation of the Blaster worm or something similar....

here's the Symantec info page for it:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ven...ster.worm.html

and the MS patch for it (I would suggest you use the removal instructions then do a complete Windows Update)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...n/MS03-039.asp

there is a removal tool on the Symantec site:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html

[Kazza]

Originally posted by robyrob
it SOUNDS like you have a variation of the Blaster worm or something similar....

here's the Symantec info page for it:
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/ven...ster.worm.html

and the MS patch for it (I would suggest you use the removal instructions then do a complete Windows Update)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tre...n/MS03-039.asp

there is a removal tool on the Symantec site:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com...oval.tool.html

I went to the Symantec site and downloaded the tool to check for the stupid worm BUT when I went to the microsoft site to download the patch I got this message:
"Setup could not verify the integrity of the file update.inf. Make sure the cryptographic service is running in this computer."

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
I went to the Symantec site and downloaded the tool to check for the stupid worm BUT when I went to the microsoft site to download the patch I got this message:
"Setup could not verify the integrity of the file update.inf. Make sure the cryptographic service is running in this computer."

use the removal tool first then download the patch - dont worry about the file integrity warning, but if it doesnt work try Windows update

[Kazza]

Originally posted by robyrob
use the removal tool first then download the patch - dont worry about the file integrity warning, but if it doesnt work try Windows update

I'll let you know if tomorrow my computer still works!

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
I'll let you know if tomorrow my computer still works!

OK - just make sure to update your antivirus and do a FULL scan

[Kazza]

When I go to the Windows Update site, it tells me that 'my security settings' can't display the page correctly and that the updates can't be downloaded

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
When I go to the Windows Update site, it tells me that 'my security settings' can't display the page correctly and that the updates can't be downloaded

go to the >Tools>Internet Options menu in Internet Explorer, click on the "Security" Tab and click on the "Default Level" button, "OK" then close and re-open IE and try again

(may want to clear the temporary files on the General tab before you close it too)

[Kazza]

Originally posted by robyrob
go to the >Tools>Internet Options menu in Internet Explorer, click on the "Security" Tab and click on the "Default Level" button, "OK" then close and re-open IE and try again

(may want to clear the temporary files on the General tab before you close it too)

I checked the Security Tab and it's on Default already so I checked the other settings and it still wont let me update.

[robyrob]

Originally posted by Unmarried*happy
I checked the Security Tab and it's on Default already so I checked the other settings and it still wont let me update.

you ran the removal tool and rebooted?

I think that there is another way to stop the dcom service....

you need to make sure that the worm is out of there or it may not let you do any updates...