My computer keeps shutting off...I think it may be a virus?

Question

My compaq desktop pc with Pentium 4 processor/windows xp keeps shutting down, within minutes after logging in. I would be in the middle of waiting for a program to load when several popups show up saying something like "...failed to load because windows is shutting down.", and all i could do is click ok until these popups go away and the computer shuts down. I think it may be a virus...How can I stop this from happening? Is there anything I can do to get rid of it? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Do not click ok next time,click start,run,type misconfig,go to start up programs and uncheck the spy or spys,reboot.

Answer 2

This could be a few things causing this. You could have a virus or you could have a hardware problem. You need to see what is loading first. Boot into safe mode and see what happens and go from there. You could just have a corrupt system file that is causing the premature shutdown also. There are many variables to this so it might take a time and patience to correct. In any case do not use the internet if possible as this could compound the problem if you have a virus.

Answer 3

It could be any number of things. Reloading xp might give you an even bigger problem if the m/c switches off half way thru... It doesn't sound like a virus, more a disk or mem problem. Have temperatures where you are been very high recently? That could have caused damage. I would recommend a computer engineer. PS If you try another system restore firstly remove all temporary internet files including cookies. Once you've sorted out the m/c you better sort out your anti-virus software. What are you using? Please let me know how you get on.

Answer 4

I would leave it about 10 mins after your PC has started up and see if it is something that is in your startup procedure or is it something you are running that is causing it to shutdown, either way when you get this msg that your pc is shutting down go to start > Run > and type: shutdown -a
This should stop your PC from shutting down. Try booting up in safe mode and as someone has said before try msconfig and see what processes are running when you boot up, delete any suspect processes. Maybe on the general tab of
system config choose normal startup or diagnostic startup.

Hope you get it sorted I had a similar problem a few months ago and had to start my PC from factory settings! not fun I can tell you.

Answer 5

Read this all before trying anything


First off try to clean ur computer with a free virus removal tool (if u don't have one yourself)

1)http://antivirus.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=antivirus&cdn=compute&tm=12&gps=293_696_1020_560&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

2) (don't bother reading the page just scroll down and begin scan)
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

3) http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2003-081119-5051-99

As a back up you could always run SYSTEM RECOVERY, since you have Windows XP you’re in luck it should be installed on your computer. Only to be used if you run out of options. First you need to go out and buy yourself a pack of blank CD’s so you can backup your files. Try buying a 25 or better yet 50 pack they will probably cost $20 something dollars. When you have the CD’s turn off your computer and you should see a black screen come up usually telling you the name of the computer model such as Compaq. Look at the bottom of the screen and a number should pop up it usually says F2 system recovery and some others. Press the button that contains both the letter and number located at the top of your keyboard usually says Esc, F1, F2, F3, F4 etc. Press the button for your system recovery really fast before you miss it. If you miss it just turn off the computer the computer and try it again. Now once you’re in system recovery it will ask you if you want to back up your files in AUTOMATED SYSTEM RECOVERY BACKUP, SAY YES (If it asks CHOOSE AUTOMATIC back up NOT MANUAL), that’s when you insert your CD into the CD drive and the computer will begin backing up your files. It will take probably about 20 CD’s to back the whole thing up maybe even more that’s why you should have 50 blank CD’s just in case. After your done backing them up click on SYSTEM RESTORE. On some computers it will ask to what previous day you want your computer to restore to, just pick a day when your computer was still acting normal. If it doesn’t ask the day it will restore it back to new, just as it was on the day you bought it. Wait until it is all restored, usually takes about and hour or two. Under NO circumstances should you turn off your computer during this time or do anything else. Once it’s all finished your computer should be free of all viruses, worms, adware, etc. Again I can’t stress this enough System Recovery should ONLY be used as a LAST RESORT, it could potentially damage your computer should anything go wrong.

Answer 6

Seems like your computer is infected with the Blaster worm. Follow the link below and download the file (probably using a healthy PC) and save it somewhere.

Unplug your internet cable, run the removal tools and follow instruction given on that page.

Answer 7

well, you should have some sort of anti-virus on your computer, so run a scan. if you don't, its you fault that this is happening. so first slap yourself really hard, then go to http://free.grisoft.com/ and download the free version and run a scan immediately, it should find the problem.

Answer 8

hi my english is bad
do this step

1-press power botton and press f8 and select safe mode-in safe mod go to the start/all programs/accesspries/system tools/system restor/-select restor my computre..............
in this page select older time an next
2-if note resolve .re install xp and install driver
3.if not resolve open your case and chek case pover cable

Answer 9

You Could Try AVG Free Edition It works great and is Very Fast and webroot spysweeper is realy good too so you could try both! so try to get both of them for free!

Answer 10

Get Norton Anti-virus immediately and check if it is a virus