[ni3k7]

Hi..

My computer has started to shutdown out of the blue for no apparent reason. Usually I can only get half an hour's use out of each session on my system, sometimes it shuts down as soon as windows has loaded.

I've read through some of the other topics and Hijack This seems to be a useful tool in identifying system problems but winrar won't extract the file. I'm trying to sort out that problem but any suggestions on how to go about scanning my hard drive outside of windows? I dont get enough time to perform a full system scan before my computer shuts down. Anyt advice would be gold.

Cheers.

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Hi ni3k7. Welcome to GTG.

Have you tried cleaning out your temp. files? Try doing that.

Please delete your temporary files. Double Click My Computer (WinXP: Navigate to Start --->My Computer)
You will see an icon representing your harddrive (most likely C: Drive) Right Click on the hard drive icon and click Properties at the
bottom of the fly out window. One the very first tab (General) you will see a button labeled "Disk Cleanup"...click that button.
Make sure the following are checked:
Downloaded Program Files
Temporary Internet Files and
Recycle Bin
Click OK and Disk Cleanup will delete those files for you.


Download Ad-aware from: http://www.geekstogo...n=download&id=5

Install the program and launch it.

First, in the main window, look in the bottom right corner and click on Check for updates now and download the latest reference files.

Next, we need to configure Ad-aware for a full scan.

-> Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window

1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:

• Automatically save log-file
• Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
• Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :

• Scan Within Archives
• Scan Active Processes
• Scan Registry
• Deep Scan Registry
• Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
• Scan my Hosts file
• Under Click here to select drives + folders, choose:
• All of your hard drives

-> Click on the Advanced button on the left and select:

• Include additional process information
• Include additional file information
• Include environment information
• Include additional object details

-> Click the Tweak button and select:

• Under the Scanning Engine:
  • Unload recognized processes during scanning
  • Include basic Ad-aware settings in logfile
  • Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
• Under the Cleaning Engine:
  • Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

-> Click on Proceed to save the settings.

-> Click Start and on the next screen choose Activate in-depth Scan at the bottom of the page and then choose:

• Use Custom Scanning Options

-> Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.

-> Save the log file when it asks and then click Finish

-> When finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose Select All from the drop down menu and click Next).

-> Reboot your computer.


Let us take a closer look at what is running on your PC. We'll need you to use a free diagnostic tool (HiJackThis) and post a log as a new topic in the Hijack This forum. It will get a better response there from the people most qualified to analyze logs.

Click the HijackThis Guide in my signature, download it and follow the instructions in the guide. Also see this post.

Most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential, DO NOT delete or modify anything yet! Someone will be along to tell you what steps to take after you post the contents of the scan results.

[coachwife6]

Hi ni3k7. Welcome to GTG.

Have you tried cleaning out your temp. files? Try doing that.

Please delete your temporary files. Double Click My Computer (WinXP: Navigate to Start --->My Computer)
You will see an icon representing your harddrive (most likely C: Drive) Right Click on the hard drive icon and click Properties at the
bottom of the fly out window. One the very first tab (General) you will see a button labeled "Disk Cleanup"...click that button.
Make sure the following are checked:
Downloaded Program Files
Temporary Internet Files and
Recycle Bin
Click OK and Disk Cleanup will delete those files for you.


Download Ad-aware from: http://www.geekstogo...n=download&id=5

Install the program and launch it.

First, in the main window, look in the bottom right corner and click on Check for updates now and download the latest reference files.

Next, we need to configure Ad-aware for a full scan.

-> Click on the Gear icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window

1. In the General window make sure the following are selected:

• Automatically save log-file
• Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
• Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

2. Click on the Scanning button on the left and select :

• Scan Within Archives
• Scan Active Processes
• Scan Registry
• Deep Scan Registry
• Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
• Scan my Hosts file
• Under Click here to select drives + folders, choose:
• All of your hard drives

-> Click on the Advanced button on the left and select:

• Include additional process information
• Include additional file information
• Include environment information
• Include additional object details

-> Click the Tweak button and select:

• Under the Scanning Engine:
  • Unload recognized processes during scanning
  • Include basic Ad-aware settings in logfile
  • Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
• Under the Cleaning Engine:
  • Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

-> Click on Proceed to save the settings.

-> Click Start and on the next screen choose Activate in-depth Scan at the bottom of the page and then choose:

• Use Custom Scanning Options

-> Click Next and Ad-aware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.

-> Save the log file when it asks and then click Finish

-> When finished, mark everything for removal and get rid of it. (Right-click the window and choose Select All from the drop down menu and click Next).

-> Reboot your computer.


Let us take a closer look at what is running on your PC. We'll need you to use a free diagnostic tool (HiJackThis) and post a log as a new topic in the Hijack This forum. It will get a better response there from the people most qualified to analyze logs.

Click the HijackThis Guide in my signature, download it and follow the instructions in the guide. Also see this post.

Most of what it lists will be harmless or even essential, DO NOT delete or modify anything yet! Someone will be along to tell you what steps to take after you post the contents of the scan results.

[ni3k7]

Thanks for the tips, I will try them asap. But for now I think I may have to either create a disc to virus scan in prompt or just reinstall windows because whenever I make an action to combat the problem my computer shuts down. For instance, my system might run ok for 10 or so mins without problems but when I click the 'clean disk' button as you suggested, my computer immediately shuts down. Same with instalation wizard of ad ware program.

I'll get back to you with my results..