Computer shuts down automatically?

Question

I have had some success with solving computer problems but only with much help from others.
So if you think you can help, please be as specific with details as possible.
And if possible, break-down technical terms...thanks.

My daughter just called. When she starts her lap top a message appears
stating that there has been some malfunction with either the software or hardware.
Then the computer shuts down automatically. (power off)
She restarts, gets the same message, then it shuts down again.

Since we were speaking over the phone I asked if there were options in this message.
And if there was, did one option include restarting the computer in normal mode.
(I also asked if this option was high-lighted, she said it was, but I'm not sure she really knew what I meant because with computers she is a novice)

Anyway, after clicking the "start in normal mode" the computer shut down.

(I hope I'm making sense)

What could be causing this problem?
Do you need more information?
I have to travel to another city to pick up this lap top if the solution is very technical.

Thanks one and all.
Tony

Answer 1

This is a sticky situation! By default Windows is set to shut down when it experiences an error. Unfortunately most people don't pay attention to that setting until it happens to them. She may be able to get it to boot into safe mode, but then she will have to have some experience in troubleshooting her error. One of two things has happened to her computer. She either deleted or moved a system file, or she has gotten a virus.



If she has a backup disk, (which most computer manufacturers don't give us anymore, they put it onto a partition of the hard drive), she can insert the disk and boot off the disk and select to "repair Windows". This may work.



My guess is she won't have the Operating disk or a back up disk, so I suggest she take it to a computer repair shop.

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If the power failure happened when the computer was on, it would have been like shutting down the computer improperly. Sometimes windows can recover itself when shut down improperly, but sometimes it loses track of where its allocation files are when it is shut down abruptly. I know it wasn't her fault, the dang power just switched off! If you know of anyone. (her friends or yours) that may have a windows operating disk of her version, then borrow it and boot up on it. Select "repair windows" when it comes to that screen. You don't have to load the OS, you don't have to load any serial numbers, all you need the disk for is to repair her windows system files and any disk of her version will do it.

Answer 2

Memeliz, the whole Windows Operating System IS AN ERROR....



Asker:

As always in Windows, this is a virus infection...

Also the one thing most virus infections do, is to corrupt your installed anti-virus program so that it will not be able to recognize the infection.

While Linux and even Mac OS are relatively safe operating systems, Windows is the most vulnerable operating system when it comes to virus infections.

That is why, if you use the Windows operating system, sooner or later you will get infected by a virus or other malware. That's guaranteed, no matter what you do.

Once your desktop computer or laptop gets infected, scanning and attempting to remove that virus (or malware) in a Windows environment, with an already corrupted anti-virus program, won't help solve the problem.



Here is the best way to remove a virus:

What you should do if you know or suspect that your Windows computer was infected by a virus, worm, trojan or other malware:

Go to a different, healthy, non-infected PC or laptop and download both the BitDefender and the Kaspersky Anti-virus Recovery CD's (free downloads).

Burn both downloaded iso files to CD with an iso burner software. If you do not have an iso burning software installed, I recommend getting the CDBurnerXP (free software) from here:

http://cdburnerxp.se/



Once you burned the recovery CD's, return to the infected computer and put the BitDefender Anti-virus Recovery CD in your CD/DVD drive and boot from CD (set your boot up options in BIOS to CD boot as first option if it does not boot from CD at first)

Once your infected computer boots into the Recovery CD Linux environment, first update the virus definition database from the Internet server, than perform a complete scan of your desktop computer or laptop (all hard drives and/or partitions). Remove (delete) any infections found, and shut down your desktop computer or laptop.

Remove the BitDefender Anti-virus Recovery CD and insert the Kaspersky Anti-virus Recovery CD.

Repeat the same procedure as for BitDefender above.

After scanning with those 2 Anti-virus Recovery CD's, your system should be virus free, and will function properly again.



Good luck.

Answer 3

Try unplugging the connections of your pc and plug it again a bit tighter.