Technology => PC problems => Topic started by: takncarabizniz on 03 01, 13, 04:19:26:PM



Title: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 01, 13, 04:19:26:PM
The other night, my hubby called me at work because our computer had suddenly frozen on one website and he couldn't click the x to shut it, it just kept trying to load...it finally shut down and when I came home, I did a system restore, since there had been some updates done early in the day for Java and Adobe that I thought might have caused the problem...

Everything seemed fine til' this morning.  As I'm trying to print some paperwork, suddenly the screen went black, then I got the big blue popup screen that said windows was experiencing a proble and shut down to protrct the system...well, I did a restart, cleaned all the caches, ran a maware and security scan before attempting to connect to the internet...oh and I disconnected the router, and hooked up directly to the modem again...

After all that, I tried to connect and our homepage came up just fine, but the progress bar never showed up and it just kept saying 2 items to load...it never finished loading, just got the little blue swirlie when I would scroll over the address bar or the close X...

I clicked to close and it took forever...I did an internet check and the system found no problems...

Any ideas?


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Mystic on 03 01, 13, 04:30:58:PM
People who create computer viruses should be shot on the spot - no ifs no buts just out of this world on the spot.


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Byteryder on 03 01, 13, 04:51:16:PM
Go into the ADMN TOOLS...into the EVENTS viewer, and see what went on at the dates and times of the failures.Look in the windows Logs, Application  and System events folders

The BLUE SCREEN events should be logged with some info as to the cause.
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 01, 13, 05:34:52:PM
 
These are FREE programs I keep in my toolkit to clean up Internet messes such as adware, trojans, and some worms.

(1)
* adwcleaner.exe
Launch. 
Click SCAN,  You will be shown a text file of entries that should be deleted.
Click Delete.  You must then reboot.
 
(2)
* ComboFix.exe
Launch
Would you like to D/L update?  NO
Give it time to scan and clean infected files.  It will take a while .. It will reboot on its own and continue upon reboot.
It will let you know when its done by showing alist of files scanned, and/or cleaned.
 

Rename to EXE


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 01, 13, 09:20:24:PM
Okay, when I get home, I'll try some of the suggestions.  I used malware bytes and it came back clean, but I also have done a system restore...my husband told me when he got home he also discovered the box itself pushed up against the side of the desk, so possibly it got hot?


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 12:19:43:PM
Of course, since I don't understand jack about computers, now I have to start asking questions...

malware bytes found nothing so Jim, when I do the exe thing you suggested, is that from my run box or the internet?

The internet will come up, just takes forever to load  (thank God for the hubby's smartphone)...and once the page loads, you can surf it all day, til you want to look at something else...

Also, should I be doing this in safe mode?  I did open the box and clean all the dust off the fans, it just seems quiter now...but both fans are operating so I guess it must not have been an overheating problem.


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 01:21:48:PM
 
You can download the two files (above) just by clicking on them, then run from your desktop if you want, or wherever you saved them.  If you download them from the internet always run them from your computer, in case you lose internet connection.
 
These two programs can be run from Safe-mode, or not.  I usually do both since in safe-mode a worm may lay dormant and not show up in Active Services.
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 05:34:01:PM
Hmmmm, when I click them, it sends me to look for programs to do the fixes, but they don't have a download capability...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 05:49:52:PM
 
You can either tell them NO, don't update. OR When it sends you to the website - look for the Green Down arrow, thats the download link.  For ComboFix the download Green Button is located on the Right side.
 
BTW:  These two tools should be in Everyones toolbox for when your computer starts acting funny..
 
 
In fact I'm using them on my wifes PC right now.  It would appear she has downloaded a lot of toolbars and other stuff that brought some crap into her computer.  I think she does it on purpose because knows I can fix it...  :- /   grrrr


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 07:34:43:PM
 
 
Also:  Blue Screen of Death (if thats what you are getting) In case I misread your original problem,  are caused by two main problems.  There are others, but these are the two main.  Either the HD is failing - OR, a Driver has been corrupted (usually the Video Driver).  First delete the video driver -  then reload the lates version, or the version that came with the computer.
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 07:37:52:PM
I guess I am not understanding.  When I click on either of those links I get 3 choices in the box,
Find, save, cancel...
 
I saved them once to my computer, and then clicked on them and it still had a popup asking me if I wanted the computer to find the program on the internet for me...this is the next thing that pops up
 
http://shell.windows.com/fileassoc/0409/xml/redir.asp?EXT=ex_e (http://shell.windows.com/fileassoc/0409/xml/redir.asp?EXT=ex_e)
 
I'm confused...LOL  which apparently is not difficult when it comes to computers...
 
Oh and the "blue screen" I got was not the usual you dumbass, what have you done...it was full of all sorts of crap but at the top said windows had shut down my system because of a problem to protect it, but then it asked me if I wanted to restart it normally or in safe mode...
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 07:42:33:PM
 
 
Remember, I said to rename them to EXE..  Instead of EX_E - remove the underscore to make it EXE.  IE: ADWARE.EXE........   It will then be an executable program.
 
 
There is a reason I had to rename them, but thats for later...
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 07:50:16:PM
Oh, ah so...I see...

I am teachable...LOL

Baby steps, LOL


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:19:49:PM
Uh oh...

The combo fix thing...

My internet security icon disappeared, all my programs...when I try to click on anything, it says the following:

illegal operation attempted on a registry key that has been markwd for deletion...

WTF?


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 08:20:38:PM
 
Did it finish completely then reboot?
 
If so, then go into your System Restore and restore to the last date.


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:25:41:PM
Yeah it rebooted, but even my system restore says it's marked for deletion...  My documents and pictures are stull avaiable, but everything elae gives me the same message...even the file from the combo fix that was saved to the c drive won't open and says the same thing


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 08:27:52:PM
 
 
What is "marked for deletion..." ?  I don't get it. This have never happened in the past on any PC I've used it on. And as a Tech I've used it on quite a few.   
 
 Can you restore to an earlier date?
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:32:25:PM
Ok had to use a backdoor through the control panel to get to system restore...it seems that anything on the desktop or start menu gives me that meassage...let me try the restore


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:38:04:PM
Restore worked...so the combo fix and adcleaner are gone...should I try to download again? 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:39:16:PM
Do I need to run one before the other?


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 08:40:53:PM
 
 
Thats odd, they should still be there.  Restore does not delete files you've saved, it just rewrites the Registry and important drivers.
 
But, yeah, as long as you have a decent Restore point, why not?  But my first question is: Are you still having your original problem?   
First rule:  Don't fix what isn't broken...
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:45:12:PM
Yes, the internet opens but loading is slooooooooooooooooooow...

I will try again as soon as I can get aesops to open again but gotta fix my hubby a steak right now...

I will update later...my husband's smart phone comes in handy...LOL


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 08:46:31:PM
....and of course, thank you for the help, I wish my tech ignor   nce wasn't so obvious...LOL


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 08:59:14:PM
Yes, the internet opens but loading is slooooooooooooooooooow...

That could be the sign that you have more than one virus protection or more than one malware software running.  You can only have ONE of each.  Otherwise they fight each other over control of the computer.
 
Also, go into IE:  Click on TOOLS, then Internet Options. 
Click The Security Tab: make sure Internet is set to Default.
Click The Privacy Tab: make sure Internet zone is Default and both boxes in InPrivate are CHECKED.
Click The Advanced Tab: Click Restore Advanced Settings.
 
See if that helped.  If not then go back and:
 
Click The Programs tab:  Click the Manage add-ons button.  Go through Toolbars and Extensions and DisAble any Toolbars or anything you don't recognize.  You can always go back in and re-enable any of them.  You just want to see if any of them is slowing IE down.
 
 
I'll look in every few minutes to see how things are going.
 


....and of course, thank you for the help, I wish my tech ignor   nce wasn't so obvious...LOL

We all have our own specialties.   This one is mine.   Over the Internet is a little rough though since I'm more a hands-on guy..
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 09:18:19:PM
 
BTW:  Here is another tool I want you to have.  It is ZIPped, so you will need to UnZip it into a directory called "MS Fix It."
 
This is by MicroSoft, and is an assortment of FIXES..
 

edit:   Oh wait. I'm not sure if this is for Win7, but not to worry. If not - it just won't run.


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 09:27:09:PM
Trying to cook and be a computer whiz at the same time...LOL 
 
I tried the tools fix, nothing...still slow, but once the internet has been open for a while, it seems to run just fine...that's why I'm keeping aesops open while I do other things, that way I don't have to wait for the long reload...
 
Tried opening another window so I could check emails...and it's slow too...
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 02, 13, 09:30:28:PM
Tried opening another window so I could check emails...and it's slow too...

Don't do that - you'll burn your food. I know... :- )



For later:

#1 Question: Do you still have the same original problem?     Or can we move on to these other problems?


Is your HD (C:) getting full ??   Does it have MORE than 25 gigs available?

*  Have you Deleted Internet Files?
*  Have you Deleted Temp Files from C:\Windows\Temp\    ?




Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 02, 13, 10:36:43:PM
Yep done all the usual deleting, but have to take this up again tomorrow...just got company...and it's Saturday night, you have better things to do...
 
See ya'll tomorrow I'll update as soon as I try it all again...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 11:50:46:AM
So, I went to run the combo fix again this morning and when I got to part where it was supposed to start, it said I still have mcafee anti-virus and anti-spyware and needed to disable them...we haven't had mcafee for a couple of years...so I disabled our kaspersky and it still popped up..(it did this yesterday as well, and I ignored it, maybe that's why it killed my registry)...lucky I was able to do the rrstore...

I've searched everywhere for anything remotely associated w/ mcafee...but I know the ONLY change to the system has been something called safe money from Kaspersky that showed up last week w/ one of the updates....I disabled it, but when I would enter a password, the little icon was still there, so  ow I am worried the kaspersky is bad...

I haven't tried the combo fix again...I really don't want to sit and fight this thing all day...

So I am not sure if I should go ahead and try it again or not...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Etc-ctE on 03 03, 13, 03:13:50:PM
Takncare ~ When is the last time you  Defraged.  If it has been awhile it could be part of your problem.  I was going to mention the cooling fan, but I see you already addressed that possibility.  My next thought is your "CMOS Battery"  The battery that resides on your Motherboard.  Is you clock keeping the correct time?  If not that could also be a part of the problem. 

One other thought.  There could be a conflict with your Anti-Virus programs.  You say you don't have McAfee, but it keeps coming up.  The fragments, that were left behind, after deleting  McAfee, may be interfering with your current Anti-Virus program.  I have found out from past experience, getting rid of Anti-Virus programs can be a pain-in-the-butt.

btw ~ Sometimes when a new program is installed it will change some settings that you're not aware of.  If you can, recheck all your system setting.

Good Luck Takncare.  Hope the fix is an easy one... 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 03, 13, 03:26:03:PM
 
Look at my message up top.  I uploaded another Tool I want you to have. It can repair several problems, internet speed and connection is one of them.  It is made by MicroSoft.  Its called MsFix-It.

I also posted a message on what I do in case my PC gets slow on me.  Make sure you have done each of those steps as well.  I know you don't want to spend your day in front of your computer. But when its sick, thats what is needed.  Your only other option is to wipe it all out and start over again -  which means spending your day in front of the PC anyways... :- )
 
Now, if it were me, I would first do the Slow-PC clean-up I posted.  Then I would use the tools in MsFix-It.   

If those did not help then I woulld run Combofix again. But thats only because if something goes wrong I know I will be able to fix it.  I don't know if I could do the same for you since I can't visually see what is going on with your computer.  Hands-On makes all the difference in the world.
 
If you do run Combofix again, make sure you create another Restore Point first.
 
BUT:  Download the MsFix-It and use it!   It is a Zip file, so you'll need to unZip it into its own directory/folder.
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 04:05:15:PM
You're talking tech speak again...LOL

Don't laugh, how do I unzip a file, I've never done it before...sorry...hell, you should be charging me for the time, LOL

And yes, I will print out all the suggestions and go through them first.


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 04:46:54:PM
Yes, I have my defrag set up to automatically run each week.
 
The C drive isn't even half full according to the properties map.
 
Clock is keeping the correct time. 
 
I am really wondering about my security program though...since the only thing that changed was the automatic upload of that secure money portion last week...and I tried to disable it, but when I put a password in, the little icon still pops up.  I hate the idea of having to reload that...since it was an upgrade from the website after the original purchase and it seems like every time I try to reload something like that, I get error messages that I haven't paid for this or that.  But I can't find a way to delete that portion from my security...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 03, 13, 05:13:10:PM
But I can't find a way to delete that portion from my security...

Can you Right-Click on the Icon and select "Settings" or "Options"?

 
 ALSO:

Here is a Self Extracting ZIP file.
* Download it.  Rename to EXE
 
* Run it.  (a gray warning box willl pop up - just click OK)
* A "Path" box will ask where you want to extract it.  Just type "C:\MsFixIt."
 
That is where it will be. Go there and run "Launch Fix it.exe"  to see the repair options. There are two pages of options.
 
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 05:47:37:PM
Okay, I'll try, if I can get everything back up...tried the combo fix again, same result, so I did a restore and it ate the security program altogether...can't get it to open at all now and I won't open the internet w/out it...if it doesn't work, I'll end up unhooking the whole box and taking it to the computer guy...how frustrating this is...!


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 03, 13, 05:55:24:PM
 
If you want to delete your security completely until you can download it again I can upload a 30 day version of AVG antiVirus to get you through.  I use AVG on my own PC.
 
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 05:58:53:PM
Okay, here's what's even stranger...

I tried to restore after the restore because my security program was gone...it went through all the motions, then came back saying restore couldn't be completed successfully because of an unspecified error...NOW, everything works the way it did before all the problems started!


I am not sure whether that's good or bad, but I immediately opened up more internet windows and clicked on different sites...they all come up, they are as fast as before...
W
T
F?


So, now the question has to be, since I restored it back to 2-22-13, what changed between then and now?  The safe money thing is still showing up on my desktop though, and I thought that was the latest update from Kaspersky...

I'm so confused...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 03, 13, 06:03:03:PM
 
Never argue with a computer.  If it wants to feel better - let it...

First thing first.  Create a NEW restore point for the way it is working right now.  At least you will have something to fall back on.
First Rule: Never fix what isn't broken.

A combination of repairs and weird events made your PC work properly.  Be happy..  :- )


 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: takncarabizniz on 03 03, 13, 07:29:01:PM
Thank you for all the help.  I printed out all your tips and saved all the fixes into a file and will do a restore point again...
 
I am just happy that it works...


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: Jim on 03 03, 13, 07:40:57:PM
 
I'm going to create another post containing some of my more important tools, along with a brief explanation of each.  These are tools that everyone should have and be familiar with to help keep you from needing a Tech. 

There are still a few you don't have that might come in handy at a later date.
 
 


Title: Re: Computer suddenly shut itself down
Post by: DaBoz on 03 11, 13, 06:06:59:AM
There are warnings out there that tell you to remove your Java program because of hackers.