My computer keeps crashing and powering off

My computer is on the fritz! Keeps crashing and powering off every twenty minutes or so. I try to run a Norton Scan but the thing powers off before it gets a chance to finish. Anybody have any ideas??? If anybody knows a English Speaking Comuter shop or an IT guy that wants to make a couple of bucks please give me a PM ASAP. Thanks a lot.

Cheers,
EJK

What kind of puter? Mac, Winshit, Linux?
can you provide any more details?

Genesis Systems might be able to help you. They are an advertiser here on TT.

power on in safe mode and see what happens

PC running Windows XP

Crashes can be related to temperature buildup in the CPU, so check your fan for dust, it could be too late though, and sometimes also the power supply. So hook up another (spare or borrowed) power supply and see if that works.

Could also be a million other things. To find out if its software or hardware, boot up with a bootable linux cd or rescue disk and see if it still happens.

do you see a bluescreen before the power off?

also, goto control panel/system/advanced/startup settings/ and de-tick auto restart

then u might see some more info instead of a full shutdown

Fans are working and clear of dust. Power supply is pretty new since I burnt out the last one forgetting to change the voltage last year.

Post the following:

* the make/model of the machine and the processor/memory specs
* the exact OS version and language
* a list of installed patches
* listings of all processes running (screenshots of Task Manager suffice)
* the results of the scan file from Major Geeks' "Hijack This"
(http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html)
* screenshots of the MSCONFIG Startup panel
* the output from winmsd (Start: Run: winmsd)
* Run regedit and export the contents of this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

woof.

And a bonus 10 points if you understand any one of BadDoggies' points.

TY Bad Doggie but your request is over my pay grade.

But no-one can help you unless you provide more information.

Well to simplify things, most of the info isnt that useful, as your hardware config, os version, etc is the same whether its working or not for example and isnt likely to indicate any fault. Task manager process list and spyware scanner output are probably the most useful though if you only can be bothered gathering a couple of bits of info.

My first step would be isolating the fault to hardware or software with a alternative boot cd like knoppix though.

Reinstall Windows. Can be a hassle but it usually fixes everything.

For a day or two anyway

It would be easier to do what Kza said by downloading a linux disc, like Knoppix, and see if it still happens.

If it still happens, its a hardware problem. If it doesn't, you most likely have a virus.

Thinks the tip from egg will help me get through the Norton scan. If that does not fix the problem think I need to take the f...er into a shop. With my compter skills I stand to make the issue worse if I muck about to much with the settings.

When did the problem start? Have any changes been made to your setup recently?

After reinstall only use Firefox with a script blocker and only allow scripts on websites you trust.

If you don't know what you're doing anyway, even if you find out the problem you most likely won't be able to fix it. Your idea about going to a computer shop is a good one.

Exile Have had this problem two months ago. Ran a total system scan and got rid of some old files. The scan found problems and said it fixed them. Yesterday I got a low memory warning and then the system failures started every time I had more then one app going at the same time. Then figured I would just try and use one program at a time and was still getting system failure and shutting down. But now my scan seems to be running OK and I am using internet without problems, so who knows. Have not made any changes to my setting in the past few days/weeks...

Check to see if all the ram and cards are nicely stuck in their slots.

I was having problems with my computer at home too, and I talked to the office computer geek (yes we have one) and he was saying that there is a whole new bunch of worms out there! Another hole in the Windows XP system was 'discovered' and so he is doing my computer now for me.
But check with Micorsoft Windows first to see if they have the new patch then try the computer, from my experience Norton's cannot help shut the hole, they will tell you you have a worm though.
good luck

I am a computer technician. I could help you with that problem. I have encountered the same problem with my last customer. If you want, add me up at Yahoo Messenger. My account name is pymalay@yahoo.com. You can reach me any time.ü

Errr.... I would assume that sometime during the last two years the problem has been fixed.