I think my PC is f**ked. Ideas?

[Dr.Demento]

Just recently, I've noticed that my PC started shutting itself off at random intervals. Once while I was browsing the net, so I ran CHKDSK to see it was maybe a memory leak or something from all the times it got shut down improperly. It started shutting off during the CHKDSK process during boot too.

I then checked the task manager out of curiousity and I've noticed some processes that weren't on my PC before and I haven't installed anything recently or in a while for that matter.

tl;dr my question is:

Could trojans or viruses actually cause a PC to shut down at random, or is this more than likely a PSU or other piece of hardware in it's death rattle?

Also, my dial-up modem quit working too. Still looking into what happened, but I think our jackass county maintenance crew sliced our phone cables with a grader.

 

[No Limit]

A virus certainly can shut down your computer at random times, but most aren't known for doing that.

What version of windows do you have? When you say you ran a chkdsk what parameters did you use? By default chkdsk won't fix any bad sectors, you have to tell it to.

Also, if the modem got fried did you remove it from your PC?

 

[Dr.Demento]

A virus certainly can shut down your computer at random times, but most aren't known for doing that.

What version of windows do you have? When you say you ran a chkdsk what parameters did you use? By default chkdsk won't fix any bad sectors, you have to tell it to.

Also, if the modem got fried did you remove it from your PC?

Win XP, and I'm not sure how you can change chkdsk's parameters. There's only two options that I'm aware of.

"Automatically repair bad sectors"

....and some other option which I forget what it is, but I always check both options before rebooting.
I'm currently on a Win 7 machine so I can't check. IIRC, I just right clicked on C: drive under MyComputer then, /properties/tools
and then setup chkdsk to start during bootup.

Friend of mine told me that it's more effective if ran in the command console, but whatever.

As for the modem, there's no dial-tone. Win Error code:606

Normally I could just go into modem properties/diagnostics/ and then just hit query modem when I have this problem and then it would dial, but this trick no longer works. I don't think my serial port is bad either, because Windows still recognizes COM1, which is the correct port.

 

[No Limit]

So the modem is serial? If it's bad disconnect it for now. That may or may not solve your problem (my guess is it won't).

If you did it through the Windows GUI and checked fix bad sectors then it should work. If you ever wanted to do this through command prompt the command is chkdsk /r /f

It will take a few hours but I would suggest you try it. I'm not sure if its different from the GUI version but I've fixed many hard drive issues using the command above.

After that you will want to go to your event viewer which is located under Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer

You will want to look for events from right before your computer restarted. If you can post any errors here.

 

[Acepilotf14]

Reformat. Reformats fix every problem.

 

[Dr.Demento]

So the modem is serial? If it's bad disconnect it for now. That may or may not solve your problem (my guess is it won't).

If you did it through the Windows GUI and checked fix bad sectors then it should work. If you ever wanted to do this through command prompt the command is chkdsk /r /f

It will take a few hours but I would suggest you try it. I'm not sure if its different from the GUI version but I've fixed many hard drive issues using the command above.

After that you will want to go to your event viewer which is located under Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer

You will want to look for events from right before your computer restarted. If you can post any errors here.

Alright, will try that the next opportunity I get.

In the meantime, I'm going to do some trojan and virus scans and see if the new definitions I downloaded digs up anything.

Reformat. Reformats fix every problem.

That's an absolute last resort though. Don't want to even think about that yet.

 

[Dynasty]

Unfortunately, reformatting is ultimately the best option, and not really as painfull as most think. THe hardest part is chosing what you want to save on an external drive of some sort. And there's always a moment in the future where you realise that file you now want is lost forver.

THis could be something as simple as a PSU failing, only way to know is swap it out for another one for a day or so and see what happens.

 

[No Limit]

The thing that sucks about a reformat is when you do it and it turns out it was a hardware issue after all. Changing the PSU is an option but you want to take all other avenues first that don't involve spending money on a new PSU.

 

[VirusType2]

>Computer resetting at random intervals

Remove the RAM sticks. Use compressed air to clean out the PC. Replace the RAM sticks.

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

I'm going to go with hardware connection problem.

Re-
SEAT.
EVERYTHING.

... but wha-
EVERYTHING!

If that doesn't work, then ... probably the death-rattle thing.

 

[No Limit]

Before you touch any hardware or delete any data do yourself a favor and follow the steps I posted above.

 

[Ridge]

Be sure to clean out any large amounts of dust that are in the PC, too..if they clog a fan, it will stop spinning, and components can overheat and shut down to protect themselves.

 

[Druckles]

Be sure to clean out any large amounts of dust that are in the PC, too..if they clog a fan, it will stop spinning, and components can overheat and shut down to protect themselves.

This seems like the most obvious problem, tbh. Have you tried SpeedFan? Tells you the temperature of your CPU and it's free. Rather useful.

 

[huntingbear]

The thing that sucks about a reformat is when you do it and it turns out it was a hardware issue after all. Changing the PSU is an option but you want to take all other avenues first that don't involve spending money on a new PSU.

Before you touch any hardware or delete any data do yourself a favor and follow the steps I posted above.

LISTEN TO THIS MAN! This is exactly what I was going to say. Hmm, let's look at the clues. Random shut downs could be cause by bad PSU not providing enough current to components so the system can't run THUS shuts off. CHECK! Components are becoming unusable or damaged could be caused by a bad PSU giving too much/too little voltage to it. You say your modem is bad? CHECK!

It's the PSU....just do it.

also....with as easy as it is, checking the PSU and re-seating hardware should be the absolute first thing you do when dealing with strange behavior in a computer. Just ask me or No Limit. I trust he/she is as computer savvy as me since reading this thread

 

[No Limit]

If the computer is actually shutting down and not rebooting dust build up on the CPU's heatsink might be responsible too, didn't think of that earlier. It would take a lot of dust to get temperatures that high though.

 

[Laivasse]

If the computer is actually shutting down and not rebooting dust build up on the CPU's heatsink might be responsible too, didn't think of that earlier. It would take a lot of dust to get temperatures that high though.

Definitely feasible, happened to my old desktop.

 

[Druckles]

SpeedFan

 

[huntingbear]

If the computer is actually shutting down and not rebooting dust build up on the CPU's heatsink might be responsible too, didn't think of that earlier. It would take a lot of dust to get temperatures that high though.

Unless it's a slimline

 

[Dr.Demento]

Ok, so I figured out for sure that my modem's fine. Turned out country maintenance destroyed the cabling while grading the roads, so our local telecom company fixed it at no charge.

Now, as for the random shutting down, I think I may have narrowed my search down to my UPS. Whenever I run self-test diagnostics, it goes poof. So now I have the issue whether or not I should get it repaired, or just chunk it out and get a new one. (This one was expensive. $300 dollars expensive) Or just get a normal power strip.

Thanks for all the tips fellas.

 

[VirusType2]

Are you using too much power? They have pretty low limits. Mine last one caught fire (really just smoke and burnt parts, I guess), and so I learned that they have low power limits one day. (500watts for mine, but some are 320 or whatever). I had about 2000 watts plugged in.

 

[Dr.Demento]

Are you using too much power? They have pretty low limits. Mine last one caught fire (really just smoke and burnt parts, I guess), and so I learned that they have low power limits one day. (500watts for mine, but some are 320 or whatever). I had about 2000 watts plugged in.

Very possible. I tried switching out some things and just plugged the monitor, subwoofer, and modem into a normal surge protector to lessen the load on the UPS, but according to the software I had installed, it was only running at 20% capacity before, and switching stuff out only lessened it to 18%. I've had my UPS for nearly 4 years with no problems so I see no reason why it'd start now.

EDIT> I also noticed that the battery had 0% charge, so I think the UPS's battery went south. I've heard somewhere that once that happens, the UPS won't function properly even if you plug into the bypass socket.

I'll probably also replace the PSU just to make sure. I'm looking for at least a 500WT. Maybe an Enermax or something and I want a modular one this time. Hope Bestbuy has one, cuz I don't feel like shopping online for parts at this moment tbh.

 

[VirusType2]

I remember I had to buy a PSU at retail once (because I wanted it same day), and I think I paid $80 for one that I could probably have bought online for $40.

It's hard to compare because it's a discontinued model, but I think you can get much better for much less if you buy online - that's my point.

 

[Dr.Demento]

I remember I had to buy a PSU at retail once (because I wanted it same day), and I think I paid $80 for one that I could probably have bought online for $40.

It's hard to compare because it's a discontinued model, but I think you can get much better for much less if you buy online - that's my point.

Yeah, but you probably bought it retail for the same reason I've been considering, cuz we're both impatient atm.

Also, was that 40$ price tag with or without rebates?