Computer keeps shutting down

[EG.]

First off, I want to stress the fact that I know absolutely nothing about computers.

So, I think my computer is infected by a virus or something. Every time I'm scanning with Norton my computer shuts down, so it doesn't have the chance to finish the scan and repair.

I have Norton Internet Security and Norton Utilities and everything seems to be okay, but this isn't normal. Does someone on here have any advice for me? I've been told to format, but what will I lose if I format?

Thanks in advance.

[SajN]

If you format the computer, you will lose everything, unless you make a backup in an external harddisc.

I don't know what the problem is, but it could be some virus stuff.


When did this start happening, and what kind of softwares did you install right before it kept happening?

[EG.]

It started happening about a week ago. And I didn't install anything special, at least not that I know.
But 2 days ago a guy came and fixed it I guess, but he didn't give me the time to make a backup of my files. All my files were gone so I had to restore my computer, but now the shutting down is back again.

[EG.]

Anybody?

[ChristinaE12]

Well it sounds like its a virus. Especially if you had it fixed but restored it and it came back. If I understood right..

Oh and first off.. Get rid of Norton. It is shit. Try downloading and using Avast. Which is free.

A format is possible if you have more than 1 Hard Drive. Cause then you would move all the stuff you want to that one and just re install your OS on the main HD after you wiped it clean. The only problem with that though is you risk moving over infected shit with your other files.

[EG.]

Okay, so a format isn't an option. I need a way to get rid of all the files, since all my files were gone and the problem was solved. Maybe tihs doesn't make sense at all...

[Sam.]

Put the CD of the AV if you have one ,select the 1st booting device as cd rom and let it scan that way.

[mdemaz]

Scan your computer with Combofix, and reinstall windows if the problem continues...
Reinstalling windows will only reset your system folder, not delete your files (to my knowledge..)

[Ku53v]

Run ccleaner and malwarebytes then do an online scan http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/

[Blu]

Start your computer in 'Safe Mode', download Malwarebytes, and use that program to find any viruses.

That's what I did when I had a bunch of illegal alien porn downloaded on my computer and I had a blue screen on my desktop saying THIS COMPUTER IS CONTAMINATED or some shit.

[Epidemik]

if the virus suggestion doesn't fix anything, i had a similar problem but it wasn't virus related.
basically every time my computer was doing anything that took alot of processor power it would overheat and shut itself down (with no warning - just powered off) to prevent hardware damage... if this is the problem, you'll hear your computer fans working at full speed lol.

if you open up your computer tower, and look at the fan that keeps the heatsink cool... if its caked with dust, just buy some canned air dust cleaner stuff and give it a good cleaning.. it worked for me.


this is what you're looking for if this is the problem...



if it looks anything like this.. just dust it out with the canned air



i know its a shot in the dark... but its an easy fix and alot better than formatting a computer. you won't lose any data and it will take litteraly 5-10 minutes..