HEEYYYULLPP!!!

[rozk]

Can anyone think of a reason why Windows XP should repeatedly and suddenly shut itself down at random? It has been doing it to me all evening, sometimes almost as soon as I boot up, and sometimes after I have been online for a while, looking at my e-mail and Friends Lists. It does it particularly if I run Spybot Search and Destroy and does it just as Spybot is about to fix problems. It did this even when I ran Spybot while Windows was in Safe Mode.

I need to stress that this is a full Windows shutdown with saved settings, not just my machine closing down.

I tried updating Windows, but that didn't help.

Comments

Uh-oh, lookout...

[ankh156.livejournal.com]

that could be a virus.

Got an anitvirus ? Update it and run it - quick.

Re: Uh-oh, lookout...

[rozk.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, of course, I have updated Norton and am running it as we speak...

Re: Uh-oh, lookout...

[debg.livejournal.com]

Novel, fic, everything backed up elsewhere, yes?

Re: Uh-oh, lookout...

[rozk.livejournal.com]

Pretty much

[chicating.livejournal.com]

Could you have a worm or something? I hate to say it, but mine did that, when I did.

[debg.livejournal.com]

Thirding. It sounds unpleasantly wormlike. Got the latest Symantec or Norton patch stuff for Windows?

[spacecrab.livejournal.com]

The quick fix for that kind of Windows trouble is to try using the time machine (System Restore), if it still works, and reset the system to a time in the past when everything was working. As far as antispyware software, I've had good luck with Webroot Spysweeper (http://www.webroot.com). It costs $30 for a single user copy, but is worth the price. If you can boot up in safe mode and install it, it will probably clean out any malware on the system. I would avoid Norton Antivirus and try one of the good freeware antivirus packages such as Antivir (www.free-av.com).

[rozk.livejournal.com]

The trouble is that Norton is part of my Broadband package and won't let me run my preferred anti-virus packages.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Damn, I was hoping that running anti-spywere stuff in safe mode might fix it.

[rozk.livejournal.com]

I've updated and run Norton and nothing shows up

[spacecrab.livejournal.com]

Norton is not antispyware. It may not catch the thing that's shutting down your computer! Webroot (the company I mentioned above -- www.webroot.com) offers a free online scan for spyware. If it detects something, you may want to spend the $30 and buy their product.

Also, you can get a free online scan with virus removal from Trend Housecall at: http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/consumer/housecall/housecall_launch.php
It's more likely than Norton to detect spyware.

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

I had exactly the same problem a while ago. I downloaded Windows anti virus over and over and kept at it until I got a reboot in there before it shut down by itself. Seemed to have worked.

I think it is all by guess and by golly tho. Does sound worm like. Ugh.

Do you have Geek Squad there?

[crazycrone.livejournal.com]

Yes, if you get really desperate, try Geek Squad. They're very good.

[chaos-rose.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine had something like this happen after downloading the latest security update. If you can't use the Restore Point, can you get in in safe mode and uninstall the update?

[makd.livejournal.com]

I'm in accord with the other posters: a virus/worm.

go here: http://www.adwarealert.com/index.php?hop=advanced99&p=3&gid=1072645447&oid=&aid=&
download and run a scan.

Also here:http://free.grisoft.com/

both sites offer free downloads, and adaware offers free advice.

good luck. My computer's had virus/worms several times in the last 5 years,but NOTHING since installing avg and adaware.

[(Anonymous)]

Norton is an enormous waste of time, money and system resources. Can't you download a replacement (Kerio/Sunbelt also recommended), unplug yourself from the net, deinstall Norton, install the replacement firewall, and then go back online?

Once online, try trend's online virus scanner.

acb

[rozk.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately I have BT internet, and part of the T&C is that I run Norton.

[andrewhickey.livejournal.com]

We have BT internet and have never even *considered* installing Norton, T&C or not. They have no way of knowing if you're running it or not, afaik...

[rozk.livejournal.com]

Adware alert seems to have fixed the problem.

Fingers crossed

[ankh156.livejournal.com]

If you come a across other smart-looking adware/spyware stuff, run it to see. With a bit of luck you've already knocked it on the head.

Those things are a pain, and XP is a sponge for them.

Every wondered why people like macs so much ?

Re: Fingers crossed

[baldanders.livejournal.com]

Is it possible to winder, when Mac lovers miss so few opportunities to tell us?

Re: Fingers crossed

[ankh156.livejournal.com]

I use both...

;)

[bendy1.livejournal.com]

I second all the anti-virus stuff but also - disable your 'sleep' key or set it to ask for confirmation before hibernating. My keyboards get full of crap eventually and usually it's a stuck key wot dun it.

[sfmarty.livejournal.com]

Saw an advert today for StopSign. They claim to run a free scan of your machine/ I have no idea if it is a scam or not.