PC Virus that shutdown computer...?

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:56 pm

Hi all,

I've been having these sudden shutdowns of my PC with no warning.
Then when I try to re-boot - windows won't start and shutsdown the PC again.

This continues everytime - unless I turn the PC off at the mains and wait for about 5 mins.

So, this lead me to believe that maybe the PC was overheating in some way.
However, there is no noticeable 'ROAR' from the cooling fan beforehand - certainly not like it does in the summer - when it never shutsdown on me once, despite the roaring fan.
I checked the temp settings in the BIOS menu (hit del at startup) and the BIOS is set to shutdown at the highest setting.

I recently re-installed a fairly old computer game Operation Flashpoint - and it would seem that this shutdown problem began after this installation - I think....
But, I never had any problems running this game before, so I'm now wondering if it might be some kind of virus - as I have no anti-virus software installed - except spybot and the xp generic firewall.

So - is there a virus that shutsdown the computer unexpectedly?

Peace
Ausser.

PS: A while back I did a clean install of XP - and decided not to re-install Norton - and the speed at which my PC boots up is relatively amazing by comparison.
I'm not exactly blaming Norton on that - but the general opinion seemed to be that Norton slowed down the OS.
I also believe I've stayed clear of risque websites generally...

Somebody had mentioned a free antivirus App called Avast - which you could turn on and off 'at will', to minimize interference with the OS - but I just decided to keep it clean, save for Spybot which you can fairly easily turn off.

Any suggestions?
Like it could simply be a dodgy installation of OFP for all that.

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:33 pm

I'd probably do a System Restore, to a point before this started, then install Avast, it's a good one.
I'm no expert, that's just what I would do.
Good luck.

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:33 pm

Hi Ausser!

Regards the shutting down, I had a similar problem with my laptop, and it was the graphics card dying.

At what point does the PC refuse to boot up? At the very start, or when it displays the Windows loading picture, or after it loads up the Windows desktop, or...?

If you're feeling adventurous, turn the PC off, open the PC and clean inside, particularly where the fans are. You can use a vacuum cleaner where the fans are and also the bottom of the PC, but not on anything electronic (due to static). To blast dust away on electronics use a can of compressed air. (But not compressor air).

Dust = PC killer. It kills air flow, and sends temperatures of components soaring.

Are you using the internet at all on that PC? If so, is there any particular reason why you're not using an antivirus on an internet PC? I'd never recommend an internet-connected PC to not have an antivirus. It's potential suicide, particularly when you have data to protect. Antiviruses take up negligable CPU thesedays on modern PCs. And Avast can be disabled with a mere right-click on the sys-tray icon.

Yes, Norton is leechware, and is not even needed anyway! Everyone I've spoken to who have uninstalled have said there's a significant performance increase without it.

I've added a new program to my anti-virus/trojan arsenal (Avast, and Spybot) which is Anti-Malware made by Malwarebytes: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
It's not a resident program, so it only scans your PC when you want it to, but it comes highly recommended for things that Spybot potentially miss. And it's free!

I'd recommend reinstalling Avast, updating it, and scanning the system in case you have a virus that's causing the shut downs, though.

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:42 am

Thanks Stephen for the suggestion.
I tried that but - surprise surprise - my OS won't restore to previous restore points.
Like its my own fault for not diligently setting restore points as I went on - but now it won't restore to any of the automatic ones - so.

--------------

Hey Timo! - my XP re-install expert.
How are ya!

I'm downloading Avast as I type.

The problem occurs after varying amounts of time - anything between 15mins and maybe an hour - which does lead me to believe that it is an overheating problem.
It is an instant shutdown.
No message or anything - a sort of 'boink' noise - and then black screen silence.

I have to turn the PC off at the mains - and then wait about 5mins before turning on and booting up again.

I have wondered is indeed my GC on the wane, and could that be the problem.

On a net search - I read about the virus 'Saraas' or some name like that,
something to do with the lsass.exe file.
This virus apparently shuts down the PC - but I'm not sure if thats on immediate start up - as opposed to mine over a period of time.

I downloaded and ran the MS Malicious Software Tool in quick scan mode - which came up empty.
I then tried to run a full disk scan with it - but the PC shutdown before completion.

However, if it is overheating - it seems strange to me that I'm not hearing the 'Roaring' fan - as I'm used to in the summer.
It can get quite loud in the summer - obviously because of the heat - yet its fairly cold where I have the PC now - and the fan basically doesn't get loud at all - even before shutdown.
so,

I'm going to install Avast Free Home Edition and see what happens next.

Also, when I get up the courage - I'll open the back of the PC to see what type of exquisite dust layers may be present.

Thanks for the input Timo.

Peace
Ausser

tritex4 · Post by **tritex4** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:43 am

Ultimate Dj · Post by **Ultimate Dj** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:43 am

Stephen wrote:I'd probably do a System Restore, to a point before this started, then install Avast, it's a good one.
I'm no expert, that's just what I would do.
Good luck.

I would totally agree with this.
But now you say it didn't work, Did you just do the F10 (or something) or did you use the Restore Disks? If not I would try to use the Disks and restore.
Other than that.... I really don't know. Call some Tech!

their always soooo helpful

puravida
DJ

tritex4 · Post by **tritex4** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:34 am

System Restore is just a snapshot of how things were.
It restores the good, as well as the bad.
Unless the needed restore point is retained, System Restore won't help.
You could even re-infect your PC, if you don't go back to the exact restore
point before the infection happened.

mrniceneasy · Post by **mrniceneasy** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:47 pm

Hi Ausser. Can't believe you're not using AntiVirus software because 'Norton' slowed you to a crawl. Norton is notorious for it. Avast is a good Free AntiVirus, also AVG Free. Get yourself protected. Just think about everyone else on the Web and in your Address book!

http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Edit ... d=10998297

http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-v ... ee-edition

I would suggest you Install Anti Virus software first and then Disable System Restore, do a Full Scan and see if the system needs a clean up. Then re-enable System restore to a clean system and set a New Restore point.

Just trying to give you some good advice here....

.

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:14 am

well....

Did all that......

Avast says 'No' virus present....

I kinda expected it would.

So now I'm thinking - Video card last gasps, or Ghost in the machine - re dust as Timo afore mentioned...

Amyways - I'll soon be getting a new - hopefully XP laptop dedicated to audio - which will be kept free of the net.

Time to leave the PC gaming age behind I rekon....

Peace
Ausser.

mrniceneasy · Post by **mrniceneasy** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:15 pm

Hi Ausser. I see that you were a 'Gamer' and have mentioned your Video card, It could possibly be settings in the Bios set wrongly. You could change your settings to 'Default' or 'Fail safe', whatever option your Bios gives you and then see if that makes a difference. You could also download a possible Bios update from your Motherboard manufacturer..

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:27 am

Ok, Latest....

Well, I got my system back.
After a nuu XP re-install and a new SBLive driver install.
But not after mega hassle of trial and error.

I was getting ready to dump the Graphics Card - but then on one particular shutdown during MSFS04 - the sound stuttered for a while before immediate shutdown.
So this alerted me to the possibility that it was my old SBLive acting up.

I have a disabled AC97 MOBO soundcard that I tried to re-activate - had to search for drivers on the net - intel site.
Well....soooo many drivers.... for AC97 - just picked the most likely looking one and tried to install that to activate my On MOBO sound.
You should have seen the gobbledyGook that XP thru up on start up.
Very lucky here that I didn't have to do yet another XP full re-install + Roxio + avast + reaper etc nightmare - having just done that the day before to no avail.

So back to SBLive where I went to the Creative site and downloaded a legacy driver.
And Presto! the system runs now with out a hitch - no more unwarrented shutdowns!

What I think happened is, that when I re-installed OFP - it messed with the SBLive driver and wrecked it somehow.
A simple re-install of the driver would have solved the problem initially.

Ah well, Live and learn - or in this case - SBLive and learn.

Thanks guys for all your help.

Peace
Ausser.

ausser · Post by **ausser** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:50 pm

well....
Not all so smooth...
The Problem is back - but here's what I've discovered.

So far, When I start the PC up form cold - then windows loads.
If I go direct to an application that pulls a good few resources eg. MS Flight simulator X - and start running that right away - after a few minutes the PC shutsdown.

However - If I load up the FSX front load screen - let it sit a while, without running a flight.
Then ALT-TAB and load up Roxio 10 - start fiddling with it for a while,
until the PC fan starts to kick in...
I need to wait until its up to a good 'hum'

Then close down Roxio - and start running an FSX flight - which hogs the system good - and fairly taxes the Graphics Card.
The fan gets up to a good 'ole roar... but the PC runs fine - no shut down problems at all..!!???

any ideas?

Peace
Ausser.