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#1
29-10-2005, 05:22
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computer crashing
In the last couple of days my computer has been switching itself off and then back on again i.e. a short break in the power supply. This seems to happen just after I log on to the internet. I tend to log on soon after switching on, so that might not be related.
A message comes up saying that the computer has recovered from a serious system fault. The computer is only about 18 months old. Any ideas? 
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#2
29-10-2005, 06:12
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Have you recently installed, updated anything. When the serious system fault comes up, does your PC then reboot?? If your connected to the internet, click on "send error report" or something similar to that. You maybe lucky and be redirected to a page which describes your problem and how to go about fixing it. GEZ, do you get a blue screen?? If not go into control panels, click "advanced", click "system", click "settings" in the "startup and recovery" frame and make sure that "Automatically restart" is NOT checked This will then give you a blue screen and some register and stack values. At the top there will be some text, you can use this text and do a google, you will more than likely find a solution These are the easiest ways for a non technical person to track a problem Get back to me if any further help required.
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#3
29-10-2005, 16:15
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Worm
About a year or so ago there was a worm going around that would cause your computer to reboot at some point while it was on, for no apparent reason. Anyway, that kept happening to me but I didn't know it was a worm, so I went out and bought a new computer. Anyway, maybe you've got some sort of worm or virus.
Rex
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#4
29-10-2005, 16:25
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They dont cause the "serious system error" dialogue to pop up
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#5
29-10-2005, 17:39
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Try turning the machine on, logging in (at at the MS login box), and then do nothing for 30 minutes. Don't log on to the Internet, don't put in or take out CDs, just leave it. See if it crashes. Secondly, Do you have any antivirus and anti-spam programmes installed? Are they key up to date, and have you done a full-system scan reciently? Thrirdly, what model etc machine and Operating System are you using? Hope that helps! Last edited by AHappyWanderer : 29-10-2005 at 19:13.
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#6
29-10-2005, 18:44
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Odd as my machine has just started doing this in the last 3 days..
I usually just nuke and pave every few months anyway..
__________________
Men have only 2 emotional states, hungry and horny.. So ladies, if you see me without an erection, make me a sandwich.
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#7
29-10-2005, 19:43
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Thanks for advice.
I've recently installed software for broadband and messed about with new modem, but this is not working yet as BT have not upgraded my line to broadband. Also bought new printer (Dell) and installed software and usb cable for it. This is working ok. Antivirus is out of date, My mate set the computer up for me 18 months ago and I've not done anything since then. I do get pop ups and ''winfixer'' has installed itself on my computer and tries to run every so often. I've tried deleting it but somehow or other it keep coming back.  My computer is Siemens Fujitsu Scaleo L. I'll make a note of what you sugest Steve and see what happens. Thanks
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#8
29-10-2005, 19:52
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Go here
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ download the free version and install it. Run it and let it cleanup everything. You may find that it will want to reboot so that any running processes can be cleaned up. Get yourself some decent virus software that automatically updates itself. I use and recommend Nortons, you pay for it but its worth it. What version of windows are you using. Do you have firewall setup??
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#10
29-10-2005, 20:41
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They sure are, thats why I want gez to make sure auto restart isnt on and we can tell for sure before telling him to buy a new one.
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#11
30-10-2005, 17:58
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Other free stuff I've seen other people recommend include ... 1/ Kerio Firewall - http://www.kerio.com/kerio.html 2/ AVG Antivirus - http://www.grisoft.com 3/ Spybot Search & Destroy (Antispyware)- http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ if you are using a fully licensed copy of Microsoft XP, then Microsoft Antispyware is also worthwhile (it's currently free, but sometime in the future they will start charging for it). I use MS Antispyware, Spybot, Norton Antivirus and MS firewall. OK, back the origional question/issue ... With you're machine in it's current state, can you download any of these?
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#12
30-10-2005, 21:14
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Machine crashed twice when I tried to login. I swapped over the modems to broadband connection and used the new icon to log in, so far so good - maybe Wanadoo were trying to tell me something?
I've made a note of the error report (c:windows\minidump\mini103005-01.dmp). I'll put the firewall and antivirus in as well - thanks for the links. I'm using windows XP.
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#13
30-10-2005, 21:36
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Now I have a pop up telling me that there is something wrong with windows. It says I need to go to MSregCLEAN.com and download some stuff. I'm not going to do that until I know what is there. Any suggestions?
I'll load the firewall and antivirus and then run adware quartine thingy again (cleared 761 files, but could not get rid of everything).
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#14
31-10-2005, 02:31
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I'm thinking along the same lines as yourself ... I've never heard of MSrefCLEAN ... their website is nothing to do with Microsoft so I think it is just some software vendor trying to "scare" you into installing their software. Both the MS Spyware stuff and Spybot can modify clean the registry, but without knowing what is wrong, we cannot be certain. Quote:
Sometimes rebooting and rerun the software a few times. If you can get active/current anti-virus and anti-spyware up and working, and your machine doesn't crash whilst you are using it, then I would think about not changing too much more stuff until you have you're broadband installed. No point in breaking something that is working! But ... once you have finished using the dial-up connection, I strongly recommend unplugging the dial-up phone cable from your PC; this will prevent any (future) infestations dialing out (and you getting a massive phone bill). It sounds silly, but can save you a fortune. And, once you have a broadband connection, consider getting an ADSL Broadband Router (it's a little box that sits between your modem and you're computer. It allows several computers to access the network simultaneously, and contains a built-in firewall). Jeez, I'm sounding like a right nerd! Someone pass me a tg 
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#15
31-10-2005, 02:37
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Ouch 761 files?
Just delete the stuff that ad-aware finds, dont bother with the quarantine, the cookies arent so problematic its the other stuff thats a pain. Go into Start, Control panel, double click on add-remove programs and remove stuff that you dont use - That may help.
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#17
31-10-2005, 03:44
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He did Steve  Windows XP.Is Service Pack 2 installed yet Gez?
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#18
31-10-2005, 03:48
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Just dont, whatever you do, let Hobbsy near it - break it within 10 seconds he will!!!
"I'm just adding a new fan" - PC Broken "I was just downloading stuff" - PC Broken "I tried overclocking it" - PC Broken "I just updated the drivers" - PC Broken Thats just this month
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#19
31-10-2005, 15:49
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SP2???? Where do I find it, what do I do? I don't get any prompts telling me that auto updates are available. There is antivirus installed, can't remember the name but it is a famous one (avg?). I'm in work so cannot tell you at the moment which one. I also have spybot installed and have run that.
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#20
31-10-2005, 17:42
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Find the "My computer" icon on you're desktop. Click on it with the "other" mouse button, so that you get the pop-up menu. Choose the "properties" menu item... a window will appear which will tell you what System software you have. Quote:
Start Internet Explorer... Goto the "Tools" menu, and choose the "windows update" menu item. This will take you to the Microsoft web site, find any service packs and patches you need, decide the correct download order and download/install it for you. Bear in mind that there may need you're origional Windows CD, there may be a lot of stuff to download (10 to 30 Meg) and that you may have to restart you're machine (several times). Quote:
If a virus came out after you're Antivirus program was updated, then you are (almost certainly) not protected against the virus. Good Luck!
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#21
01-11-2005, 04:23
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Thanks for all your help lads.
I've run adware and spybot a couple of times, and swirched the automatic updates on for daily. The computer has not crashed this evening. I will go and buy a norton anti virus at the weekend. Any other tips for a firewall?
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#24
01-11-2005, 05:18
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Yep Service Pack. I recommend that you do apply SP2. What speed is your internet connection?? You can go to the Microsoft website and order a CD with SP2 and other updates on it for free. Saves downloading SP2, which can be up to 180Mb and depending on your net connection, can takes days. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...s/default.mspx
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#25
01-11-2005, 05:36
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