My computer keeps shutting down...

Weezix · 09-18-2006, 08:11 PM

After a minute or two from when windows loads my computer randomly shuts down. I have a home built PC with windows XP and have never had any problems with it until recently. Then while installing a windows update, (only thing that was running at the time) my computer reboots. After a few times it is still happening, so I boot up in safe mode and system restore, but for some reason I have no system restore points before the problem. I have booted in safe mode and run a Kaspersky 2005 scan and a stopzilla scan and found nothing. Is there anything I can do or will I have to format?

AdmnPower · 09-18-2006, 10:51 PM

if you have another hard drive try a fresh install on that before you erase your other OS, if it still does it then it's probably a hardware issue.

PC eye · 09-19-2006, 06:39 AM

It sounds like a bad install where you could try a few different things before even thinking about reformatting the drive. If you can get to the desktop in safe mode you can run the builtin system file checker for repairing or replacing any corrupted or missing essentials. With the XP cd in the cd or dvd drive go to the Run prompt off of the Start menu and type in the following command to start this up. "sfc /scannow"

One of the first things the utility will do is verify Windows files where it may or maynot ask for the installation disk. The process may take several minutes especially if files have to be repaired or replaced. That would be the first thing to try there. If that still fails to see results the option to perform an "install to repair" of Windows will save all of your current folders with only a few things that may have to be reinstalled. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

With this problem remaining after the steps above AdminPower could well be correct in assuming a possible hardware failure in progress. But XP also includes one other feature that could be the cause as well. That would be the crash control method where the system is automatically restarted if some installed program or software like an update goes wrong. This prevents Windows from locking solid. In safe mode no programs or updates are loaded.

Apathetic · 09-19-2006, 06:44 AM

Can you reformat it through the bio's?

PC eye · 09-19-2006, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apathetic

Can you reformat it through the bio's?

The bios is a totally different thing where your system options for hardwares are configured in the several sections there. To enable or disable things like onboard video or sound you would go in there for this. To assign which device will load the operating system you choose that device as the first boot device. System time and date setting is on the first screen upon entering the system configuration utility.

What is seen on a hard drive like Windows or any file is strictly software. Windows itself is an application that runs on top of a disk operating system. Dos was the old core for the early versions with NT(network technology) now seen as the "shell" that 2000, XP, and soon Vista run on. Formatting is performed by a software itself.

AdmnPower · 09-20-2006, 02:22 PM

i think, in easyer terms, you'll have to use a start up disk or you could even do it though the windows xp setup, if i remember right when it asks what partition you want it on it gives you the option to format the partition as well

SirKenin · 09-20-2006, 02:53 PM

Oh for pete's sake.

Don't listen to PC Eye at all. Mr. Plastic Harddrive. For the love of pete, don't.

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking. Go to the Windows Update site. There you will find the link to check for installed updates. Look for the last updates that were installed and remove them.

From there you can diagnose the problem (this has happened to one of my clients with a Windows 2000 machine before).

Him and his stupid scandisk and linux. lol.

StrangleHold · 09-20-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirKenin

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking. Go to the Windows Update site. There you will find the link to check for installed updates. Look for the last updates that were installed and remove them.

Thats a good idea or try booting in safe mode go to add and remove, check show updates and the date of windows updates show and uninstall the ones from when it starting rebooting

SirKenin · 09-20-2006, 03:53 PM

You kind of have to do both at the same time, because Windows Update won't uninstall them, but the Add/Remove Programs dialogue doesn't really give you the dates of the updates, just the KB number. Go figure.. Retarded...

PC eye · 09-20-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdmnPower

i think, in easyer terms, you'll have to use a start up disk or you could even do it though the windows xp setup, if i remember right when it asks what partition you want it on it gives you the option to format the partition as well

When the XP installer comes up it will ask where you want Windows to be installed to. At that time it will list the one or more drives installed along with the existing partitions. With a new drive you have the installer create and format a single primary according to the total amount of drive space available or reduce the number to create a smaller primary for splitting the drive. Some people will later create a second storage partition. You also have the option to delete existing partitions.

09-18-2006, 08:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Weezix New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 12	My computer keeps shutting down... After a minute or two from when windows loads my computer randomly shuts down. I have a home built PC with windows XP and have never had any problems with it until recently. Then while installing a windows update, (only thing that was running at the time) my computer reboots. After a few times it is still happening, so I boot up in safe mode and system restore, but for some reason I have no system restore points before the problem. I have booted in safe mode and run a Kaspersky 2005 scan and a stopzilla scan and found nothing. Is there anything I can do or will I have to format?

09-18-2006, 10:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
AdmnPower VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 1,177	if you have another hard drive try a fresh install on that before you erase your other OS, if it still does it then it's probably a hardware issue. __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 ghz 4 gig DDR 2 800 Sapphire Radeon 3870 X2 250 gig Seagate Barracuda Windows Vista

09-20-2006, 02:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
AdmnPower VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 1,177	i think, in easyer terms, you'll have to use a start up disk or you could even do it though the windows xp setup, if i remember right when it asks what partition you want it on it gives you the option to format the partition as well __________________ Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4 ghz 4 gig DDR 2 800 Sapphire Radeon 3870 X2 250 gig Seagate Barracuda Windows Vista

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09-19-2006, 06:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	It sounds like a bad install where you could try a few different things before even thinking about reformatting the drive. If you can get to the desktop in safe mode you can run the builtin system file checker for repairing or replacing any corrupted or missing essentials. With the XP cd in the cd or dvd drive go to the Run prompt off of the Start menu and type in the following command to start this up. "sfc /scannow" One of the first things the utility will do is verify Windows files where it may or maynot ask for the installation disk. The process may take several minutes especially if files have to be repaired or replaced. That would be the first thing to try there. If that still fails to see results the option to perform an "install to repair" of Windows will save all of your current folders with only a few things that may have to be reinstalled. http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm With this problem remaining after the steps above AdminPower could well be correct in assuming a possible hardware failure in progress. But XP also includes one other feature that could be the cause as well. That would be the crash control method where the system is automatically restarted if some installed program or software like an update goes wrong. This prevents Windows from locking solid. In safe mode no programs or updates are loaded.

09-19-2006, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Apathetic Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 437	Can you reformat it through the bio's?

09-20-2006, 02:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	Oh for pete's sake. Don't listen to PC Eye at all. Mr. Plastic Harddrive. For the love of pete, don't. Boot into Safe Mode with Networking. Go to the Windows Update site. There you will find the link to check for installed updates. Look for the last updates that were installed and remove them. From there you can diagnose the problem (this has happened to one of my clients with a Windows 2000 machine before). Him and his stupid scandisk and linux. lol.

09-20-2006, 03:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	You kind of have to do both at the same time, because Windows Update won't uninstall them, but the Add/Remove Programs dialogue doesn't really give you the dates of the updates, just the KB number. Go figure.. Retarded...