Computer completely buggered?

[Atomic_Piggy]

I have had, for about two weeks now, a major problem. My computer will just randomly turn off, sometimes several times a day, sometimes not at all, and won't turn back unless I turn it off at the mains and then leave it a while.
My anti-virus software also keeps detecting "rootkits"...please help computer expert dudes!

 

[Saturos]

One word, reformat.

 

[Escaep]

Are you sure its not an issue with your power supply?

 

[AtomicSpark]

That would be your PSU going bad. I would start looking for a new one. The "rootkits" aren't related, but should also be looked into.

 

[CyberPitz]

I agree with Escape. Sounds like overheating or a failing power supply. I'd clean out the insides of it really well, make sure it's all purdy. Then if it still happens, check the powersupply. A virus won't prevent you from turning a computer on.

One thing that happened to me, and I just thought of it. Try a different power plug. One I had was a POS and kept trying to short out my machine, so it would turn off, and I had to unplug the power plug to be able to turn it back on.

 

[Saturos]

but try reformatting first. Save everything you don't want to lose on an external HD.

If this doesn't help, then it's definitely a bad PSU.

 

[CyberPitz]

How would a rootkit prevent him from turning his machine on sometimes? I'd say PSU before format. Though, you may just have to do it anyway, I don't think it's the cause of his main problem.

 

[barbarbarbarbar]

Does it make any noise?

 

[Saturos]

How would a rootkit prevent him from turning his machine on sometimes? I'd say PSU before format. Though, you may just have to do it anyway, I don't think it's the cause of his main problem.

True, but if he needs a repair, then might as well go all out and get rid of those rootkits as well.

 

[CyberPitz]

True, but if he needs a repair, then might as well go all out and get rid of those rootkits as well.

What if they're good rootkits?!

 

[Saturos]

What if they're good rootkits?!

The only good rootkit is a deleted rootkit.

Although anti-malware progams sometimes mistake legitimate programs for rootkits or virus, so if in doubt, I just pack up my back-up device then reformat. Easy.

Or if you would rather take the extra time to do a little research, you can check to see if the processes or applications in question is legitimate, then set AV programs to ignore those files.

That's too much trouble for me though. I'm lazy.

No doubt his main problems is because of a dying PSU though. However, if those rootkits are the real deal, then he'll likely just be posting how to fix those in the future once they start causing problems anyways.

 

[CyberPitz]

I'm completely the opposite. I do what I can to eliminate virus/what have you before I format. Format is my last ditch effort, cause I'm lazy....reinstalling everything I had, making sure updates are downloaded/installed...bah..too much work!

 

[Saturos]

I'm completely the opposite. I do what I can to eliminate virus/what have you before I format. Format is my last ditch effort, cause I'm lazy....reinstalling everything I had, making sure updates are downloaded/installed...bah..too much work!

Yeah but I can't remember when the last time was that AV programs were actually reliable in scanning legitimate viruses. It usually just ends up with me doing research to make sure I'm not deleting critical system files.

Even quarantining questionable files can sometimes completely FUBAR a PC anyways.

 

[Krynn72]

I just dont get viruses. Suck it.

But yeah, that really sounds like a hardware problem, not software.

 

[barbarbarbarbar]

what are rootkits ?

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

I don't know ^

Anyway, thanks for the help guys. I'm gonna try a different plug, and if that doesn't work, go for what Saturos suggested (reformatting and shiz).

Oh BTW, do you mean the socket, or the actual plug itself?

 

[unozero]

well before you start spending $$ on PSU's do a reformat and see if that helped.

 

[Operational]

I can say with 100% certainty that reformatting isn't going to fix problems with turning your PC on. It should fix your virus problem though, which is an entirely separate issue and one that doesn't necessarily require a "format first" approach.

Random power outs and problems getting the computer started are most likely a problem with your PSU but it could be the Motherboard too. Testing the PSU is the easiest thing to do providing you can borrow one off somebody.

 

[VirusType2]

Asus suggested that my computer randomly resetting could be a memory problem. When I took the RAM sticks out to clean them, one of them was completely ****ing embedded with dust. So after cleaning it, my computer no longer reset itself.

So it wouldn't hurt to clean and re-seat your RAM, though your issue is a bit different since you have to wait to power up.

Also, I am really curious how you got the rootkits. There are a few companies that offer free tools to remove them.

AVG free anti-rootkit
Malwarebytes