ARGH WTF

[featherxquill]

There is something seriously b0rked going on with my computer. Do I have any technical-puter-peeps on my flist who might be able to tell me WHAT THE HELL IS GOIN ON?

My computer keeps turning itself off. Like, caput, gone. It happened first when I realised I hadn't run my spyware program for a while, and thought maybe I should. The computer died halfway through the scan, and continued to do it through numerous scans. I suppose I thought maybe there WAS something dodgy on here, and that it was what was making the scan fail and the computer die, but I have no idea what to do about it if my computer has no other symptoms and I can't find out exactly what it is I have on here.

But now it's just getting weirder. I've been burning a few DVDs these last few days, with various levels of success (I've never had any problems with burning ever before, so that is odd in itself). Trying tonight, the computer just keeps dying halfway through the encoding process, and, just now, for no fucking apparent reason at all.

Now, I'm running a McAfe Virus Scan because I finally figured out how to do that (I'm such a McAfe n00b, I've never used it before they made me at UEA and I've never looked to closely at it because it seems quite alien to me, and I had no problems while I was there).

I don't know if this is likely to be a virus or a trojan or some other strange computer problem, but I'd appreciate any advice on the matter.

Comments

[zeft.livejournal.com]

I'd love to help you, but I really have no clue. Sorry. Is there any tech support service you could try?

There's always google if you're game to try several different terms.

[addyit.livejournal.com]

sounds like you've got something in there. trojan, virus, whatnot.

sometimes a computer automatically shuts itself off when it overheats, as well, when the fans inside are faulty or have stopped working because they're clogged up with dust and webs. it's a protective measure to make it from overheating the motherboard. you'd notice it if suddenly, your computer is noisier than normal, or if it seems really hot, or both.

but, myself, i think it sounds like a trojan or a virus, or spyware.

let the scan run and see what happens, and update here? i'll help you out if i can or direct you to a site that'll help.

[snapelike.livejournal.com]

I agree to the overheating. It seems like it happens when you have the cpu working hard only.

You might not be able to do a scan, since the pc will probably shut down. Clean the fan with a brush, don't use a vacuum cleaner, it might cause static electricity and cause other problems. You can use the v.c. from outside and clean the fan's filter with it.

My pc always does this when the fan needs cleaning, it is not able to run PS, and shuts down... Time for spring cleaning...

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking that's what it might be, now that Addy's said it. The fan is a lot quieter than normal but I hadn't really noticed. It does seem to be moving, though. *sigh* I'll probably have to take it somewhere for that, being a laptop and all. It could have been knocked around a bit during my travels. Who knows.

Thanks for the advice

[featherxquill.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think it might be the fan. It certainly doesn't sound as loud as normal. It died during the virus scan as well, while I was out picking my brother up from work. The fact that it was on my bed probably didn't help. I'll have to make sure I keep it as cool as I can until someone can have a look at it for me.

[addyit.livejournal.com]

sounds like it starts up with your computer, lags along, trying to run, then dies out. same thing happened to mine at one point. man, did it get noisy!

well, y'know something? those fans aren't made to last forever. the additional problem of dust and webs getting in there makes them last for fewer years. it's nothing you've done, it just happens. they do need to be replaced eventually. you'll find someone to help you if you don't do it yourself. ~hugs!~

[ancientgirl.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a virus I had several years ago. My computer would just turn off by itself, then when I turned it on it would after a few minutes turn off again.

I wound up going and buying a Norton anti-virus program. When I came home I inserted my startup hardware for my computer. Mind you installing the startup discs again completely erases what you currently have in your computer so you will loose everything, even programs you already have installed, files, everything. But it was a last resort and I was desperate.

I managed to get the startup disc installed, then the antivirus and I've been okay ever since.

Good luck to you, I hope you get it straightened out.

[x-audioscene.livejournal.com]

*whispers*
geeeeetttt annnnnnn aaaaappppplllle

[corvus-coronis.livejournal.com]

I remember being online when the computer network at my university got infected with the blaster virus, and I remember they were all switching off & rebooting. Your's seems to be just switching off, though, so I'd not rule out a possible hardware problem as well (in the computer and/or power supply or cables ... check to see if all looks ok when you switch off). It could be overheating, though it seems strange for a computer to get overheated in winter - unless you have a heater going strong enough in the room. Definitely do the virus scan first, & see what that comes up with.

[x-audioscene.livejournal.com]

kay, so i'm going to try to make this fit in a comment, because it's silly :]
oh and my brother pulled the plug on my computer last night whilst talking to you. no idea why, he's a strange kid...

[x-audioscene.livejournal.com]

nm, it won't fit...