Full Version: Computer Issue - any thoughts?

From: JHayes55 [#1]
 28 Dec 2005
To: ALL

I have a computer at my home office that I use over weekends and early mornings for net access a some bookwork. Lately it has got a mind of its own. I figure with the knowledge base here on the forum someone might have some options for me. It is a windows 98 system - yes I know its old but has worked very well till now - I have a virus program that runs and keeps it self updated over the net. I use a high setting to filter out spam.
The issue is this computer has decided that whenever it wants to it will shut down without any notice and reboot as though I had used the ctrl-alt-del keys. It always runs a disk scan following this - because it was improperly shut down. It always boots back up fine. It will run fine for hours some days and then the next day or two it will shut down multiple times in an hour or two period. Even though I have a virus program - I am starting to think it could be a virus. If not a virus could it be a hardware issue - if so what? I have done a disk scan, and defraged with out any issue. If I do have a virus the current program is not catching it - is there a program or disk out there that might catch this little beast? Got any thoughts? I just want to run this by you all first before I called my computer guy who builds all my shop computers (he also build my home office computer) I appreciate the vast knowledge that is represented here on this forum and thought no harm in asking your advice.

Thank you

From: sunny (SUNSHINE) [#2]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#1] 28 Dec 2005

Your hard drive could be going bad or you have a memory chip going bad. I had a portable that would re-boot itself and it had a bad harddrive.

From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#1] 28 Dec 2005

It could be as simple as a loose power cord. That is exactly the symptoms of that also. In addition to checking the connections between the computer and the wall, shut that circuit breaker at the breaker box and then turn it on again. Just a loss of a few cycles of power can do those strange things.

Of course it could be a failing of the power supply or memory or disk also. Go simple first, it has a good chance of fixing the problem.

From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#1] 28 Dec 2005

Joe,

It is funny you bring this up. I have been experiencing the exact same issue with my home computer over the past few weeks. Hmmm?

From: basehorawards [#5]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#1] 28 Dec 2005

Might also check the power supply. Some of them have timing sensors on the cooling fans. If they are too dirty or are running too slow it will power down until it cools off.

From: MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS) [#6]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#1] 28 Dec 2005

My first guess is that it is the cooling fan. If you are overheating it will shut down although it generally warns you first

From: JHayes55 [#7]
 28 Dec 2005
To: sunny (SUNSHINE) [#2] 29 Dec 2005

Hard drive was my first thought too.

From: JHayes55 [#8]
 28 Dec 2005
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#3] 28 Dec 2005

Good suggestions on the "simple things first" - I would not have thought of the breaker at all.

From: JHayes55 [#9]
 28 Dec 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4] 28 Dec 2005

When you figure it out let me know ;-)  Or if I figure it out I will let you know!

From: JHayes55 [#10]
 28 Dec 2005
To: basehorawards [#5] 28 Dec 2005

thanks
I will check this too.

From: JHayes55 [#11]
 28 Dec 2005
To: MIKEY (JADEPUTTERS) [#6] 30 Dec 2005

I can sure check that cooling fan. What type of warning does it give you.

From: JHayes55 [#12]
 28 Dec 2005
To: ALL

Thanks to everyone for the replies and ideas on what to check. I am a little surprised everyone thought it to be a mechanical issue and not a virus.
Truth is I feel better if it is a hardware issue.

From: Upacreek [#13]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#12] 28 Dec 2005

Having been a computer monster in my former life, here's some things I would check:

1. Have you installed any new software? If so, did the problem start happening after the software was installed?

2. Never overlook the obvious. Wiggle the power cords & cables and ensure they are secure and plugged in properly. Check the cords and make sure there is no problem or heat damage caused by heaters.

3. Check the event logs and see if it's indicating any failures.

4. When is the last time, if ever, have you popped the cover? It could have tons of dustbunnies in there causing problems. While you do that, make sure all the cards and devices are secure in their sockets.

5. Memory stick failing. I haven't had much luck in software diagnostics. I used a physical memory tester.

6. Video card failing or conflicting with software programs. (I saw this happen a lot with brands from the '98 era trying to use Photoshop and other graphics programs.) Only solution was to pop in a better video card.

7. Hard drive failing. Each hard drive manufacturer has diagnostics you can download from their web site and run on the hard drive.

8. Run Lavasoft Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy to check for trojans and malware. Both are free programs and can find different things. I just cleaned a neighbor's machine of hundreds of little buggers and now the machine is no longer rebooting itself on a regular basis.

9. Swap the mouse with a different one. It's amazing how much havoc a dying mouse can do to a machine.

10. Swap the keyboard with a different one. (I once dealt with a machine on boot up that said the mouse was absent. After swapping several mice with no success, I finally looked at the keyboard cord and saw it was almost severed. A kitten had chewed it!)

Michel

From: JHayes55 [#14]
 28 Dec 2005
To: Upacreek [#13] 28 Dec 2005

Wow! thanks a bunch for the ideas. I even feel a little better at this point.
No new software or hardware added. I bet I got dust bunnies inside for sure. I never thought about the mouse but it does seem to happen when I click the mouse on something - could be it. I do run Ad-Ware and cleaned up 3 spy/bugs the other day. I do keep my Ad-Ware updated as well. I hate to admit but I have no idea how to check my "event logs" - new one on me. Also do not know much about the diagnostic stuff or about a physical memory tester. I assume that when I chase the dust bunnies out that I can see who made the hard drive and figure out where to get a down load for the diagnostics.
As I figured you guys had a ton more ideas than I did. I really appreciate all the help eveyone has offered.

Thanks

From: gt350ed [#15]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#14] 28 Dec 2005

You might also want to check the horizontal ossilator. Every now and then, they have a tendancy to attempt vertical lenticularity. But it can be handled by adjustment on the back side of the ossilator. Just remove the o-ring.

From: logojohn [#16]
 28 Dec 2005
To: JHayes55 [#14] 28 Dec 2005

My pre-xp memory is fading but it was Windows 95 or Windows 98 that you could reinstall the operating system for a fresh start without erasing the whole drive and your other applications and data files.

We did it several times when they starting having a lot of problems. It didn't usually just shut down, it normally just froze up a lot.

.

Message 2565.17 was deleted

From: Upacreek [#18]
 28 Dec 2005
To: ALL

I only recommend re-installing OS software as a LAST RESORT. We're talking, the computer is close to being wiped clean and re-installed from scratch. I spent too many hours fixing computers because of an OS re-install and most of the times the computer was wiped and a clean install was performed due to the continued bugs. I personally won't do one unless I have a decent backup.

Memory testing is best performed by a computer geek that has gadgets to plug the stick into and test it. Even brand new memory sticks can be bad.

I know there are some real fans of Windows 98/ME but I really disliked working with it and have tried to forget all about it! Therefore, I forgot that 98 did not have event logs.

Michel

ps When you pop the cover and find the mfg of the hard drive, if you can't find the diagnostic tool on their web site, post the brand. I probably have it bookmarked.

EDITED: 28 Dec 2005 by UPACREEK

From: gt350ed [#19]
 28 Dec 2005
To: Bill (BILL_S) [#17] 29 Dec 2005

quote:
Maybe we need a "Humor" section so that we can keep the serious discussions serious and the funny discussions funny.


Or..maybe you should take life a little more lightly.

First, Joe is a good friend of mine. Had no one responded with good suggestions beforehand, my humor would have been less appreciated, I'm sure.

Second, you're right, he has received plenty of great suggestions. So many that he needed nothing more from me in a serious way.

Third, humor is always a great salve.

Fourth, my reply was to "Joe", not to you.

But thanks for asking.

From: gt350ed [#20]
 28 Dec 2005
To: Bill (BILL_S) [#17] 29 Dec 2005

By the way, "Bill", when you get a serious moment, it would be nice for ALL the forum members if you could complete your profile.

Thanks.

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