My computer shuts off soon as im brought to my desktop?

Question

its not the newest thing but its a 1.5ghz pentium 4, 128mb, windows xp pro sp2. i turn on the computer and it loads everything, it then restarts once it gets to the desktop screen

Answer 1

On boot hit the F8 key and select "the last known good configuration" and see if that restores it. If not then you have a corrupt file or a virus.
Then hit F8 and select "safe mode" then run your Antivirus software.

Don't do a restore until you try this .......then do it if all else fails. If you have important files on the drive and want to save them then take it out and connect it to another computer and retrieve them.

Once you have it running get AVG.Free it's a good AV program and free.

Answer 2

It could be a great many things from overheating, insufficient or failed power supply (if it's not newer as you say) or malware.

P4's are well known for overheating issues.

From a cold start: open the case while the system is running (GROUND YOURSELF by touching any metal part of the case with both your hands for a couple seconds and do not do this while standing on carpet) and ensure all the case and internal fans are running. As your system comes to the login screen / desktop touch the heat sink covering the processor. It should be luke warm if not colder. If it's burning hot, the system is overheating which triggers automatic shutdown. (do this on your graphics card too just to be sure).

Also hit your BIOS setup key, usually ESC, F2 or DEL, during boot. Go into your BIOS and select the Load Default Settings.

Hit F8 during the next boot and select "Last Known Good Configuration" to be safe. You can also boot into Safe Mode if you have any anti-virius / spyware / adware progams on the computer and run them to clean off the system.

If all this fails, you need to have it looked at by a tech.

Answer 3

I think Windows has been damaged by a virus. You could try different things first to see if you can save your files on backup, but it may be a lost cause until you wipe it clean with system recovery by booting with the Windows CD that came with your computer, or else you could burn a disk with kubuntu www.kubuntu.com and use that instead of Windows it's free but works a little differently, though you're much less likely to get problems in the future if you do.

Answer 4

First, check your Power Options in the Control Panel.

Second, go into Safe Mode and run your antivirus software.
After the scan, Restart.

If your Power Options are alright and you are virus free, you might want to try a WindowsXP Repair.
WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Answer 5

I had the exact same problem with my computer about a year ago...it's some kind of virus. I didn't have the money to take it somewhere, so I just wiped it, and lost everything! =( It worked once I completely wiped it and started over though. Goodluck