System Prob or Virus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LMO
  • Start date Start date
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LMO

Hello all.
Something strange just started happening to my XP Home system (AMDXP 1.3G).
All of a sudden it seem to just shut down. Power light stays on, but screen
goes black. Nothing I can do will revive it, other than shut off the power,
then cold reboot. Sometimes it comes right back up, sometimes it blacks out
immediately again and will not respond. I use GoBack, so was able to go back
to the morning, when all was fine, and it worked for a couple days, but it
just blacked out again. Cold booted right up. and is working okay now...for
now. I have NAV with latest updates, and use Adaware regularly, but have
found nothing with either prog.
Could it be something insidious, or maybe a hardware problem? Any ideas?
System works fine when it's up and running otherwise.
Thanks!
 
It could be a hardware issue. I once had a similar problem when my video
card was going bad. Check the event viewer for possible clues to your
problem.
 
A problem such as you describe is often caused by a heat issue or a problem
with the PC's power supply. You should have your system checked out by a
qualified technician.
 
The three prime suspects in my mind are:
1. Video card (if you have one). If your motherboard has a video adapter,
try removing the video card and seeing if running monitor off of the
motherboard adapter changes anything. You can also try reseating the video
card (make sure the latch at the end of the AGP slot snaps securely into
place).
2. Power supply. This requires a qualified technician, power supplies are
not especially expensife.
3. Memory. If you have more than one memory stick, try running with one
out, then another to see if it might be the memory.
 
In
Colin Barnhorst said:
The three prime suspects in my mind are:
1. Video card (if you have one). If your motherboard has a
video
adapter, try removing the video card and seeing if running
monitor
off of the motherboard adapter changes anything. You can also
try
reseating the video card (make sure the latch at the end of the
AGP
slot snaps securely into place).
2. Power supply. This requires a qualified technician, power
supplies are not especially expensife.
Click to expand...


*Fixing* (or even trying to) a power supply requires a qualified
technician, but replacing it is easy, and anyone can do it. And
as you say, they are not expensive. As a matter of fact, they are
cheap enough that it's probably cheaper to replace one than to
pay a technician to even begin looking at it.

3. Memory. If you have more than one memory stick, try
running with
one out, then another to see if it might be the memory.
Click to expand...


I agree with all the thoughts above, but I'd add one more:
especially since the problem is intermittent, and especially that
he says "sometimes it blacks out immediately again and will not
respond," it might be heat-related. I would check to make sure
all the fans are working properly.
 
Also, recently moving a computer. Shoving the computer back too close to
the wall can block airflow from the case fan. Sandra is one of several
programs that can report temperature inside most computers.
 
More info: I just noticed that this only happens when I'm online (USB DSL).
If I disconnect the computer stays on fine.
 
If you had a virus it would be active whether you are online or not. If you
have spyware, then it might not be able to "call home" when you were not
online.
 
LMO said:
More info: I just noticed that this only happens when I'm online (USB DSL).
If I disconnect the computer stays on fine.
Click to expand...
If it only happens when you are on line:
1.Call the DSL provider, describe what is happening to you, and ask them
to check the local server and test your connection.
2. If the above does not help, start suspecting the DSL Modem. Open up
Network Connections AND run the Network Troubleshooter.
Gene K
 
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