Total shutdown

[SchuKadaj]

Half a year ago I bought a new pc. During these months nothing was wrong. However 3 days ago it all went wrong.
My computer shut itself down while I wasn't here. That was fishy.
Yesterday it shut itself down while I was away too so I didn't know either. However reaching to the back of the pc I figured that the thing overheated. I let it cool off and pulled the pc to the front. so it'd get some more cooling - problem solved.
Today it shut itself down while I was here. There was also no overheating present as it just started up 10 minutes before. There is no warning at all - one second it's on, next second it's off.

I was wondering if it might be Acer at fault or just Vista. Currently I've just solved a big problem of Vista somehow not recognising me as the administrator anymore just a few weeks ago; however this leaves me reaching in the dark.

Is there any way to have this solved I'd be glad to hear it.

 

[tom982]

Hello SchuKadaj and welcome to the forums

Can you follow these steps for me please?

1. Open the start menu
2. In the search box, type cmd
3. Right click on command prompt and select run as administrator
4. In command prompt, type:

sfc /scannow

Let it run, it should take about 10-15 minutes. This will check the integrity of your system files and will attempt to replace or repair corrupted or missing files.

Repeat this process 3 times (sometimes it isn't fixed on the first time), and if it is still detecting problems ("Integrity Violations"), then let me know and we will try something else.

Tom

 

[stoneys-nutz]

Hello SchuKadaj,
Download this free app to keep an eye on the temperatures in your system.
Things in a PC can get overheated in seconds, so don't be fooled by the fact you just turned it on.

SpeedFan - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Make sure all the vents are clear and that the fans are all working.

It could be a type of malware causing this so download, update, and run this free app.

Malwarebytes

What AV are you using ?, have you scanned with that ?.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good free, and effective AV system, you may want to try that and give your system a scan. (only have one AV installed at a time).

Hope this helps, good luck and post your results.

 

[SchuKadaj]

Hello SchuKadaj and welcome to the forums

Can you follow these steps for me please?

1. Open the start menu
2. In the search box, type cmd
3. Right click on command prompt and select run as administrator
4. In command prompt, type:

sfc /scannow

Let it run, it should take about 10-15 minutes. This will check the integrity of your system files and will attempt to replace or repair corrupted or missing files.

Repeat this process 3 times (sometimes it isn't fixed on the first time), and if it is still detecting problems ("Integrity Violations"), then let me know and we will try something else.

Tom

Tom

A few problems are still detected and they can't be fixed according to my computer.
It doesn't say what the problems are however; there have been logfiles created of the scans.

 

[tom982]

Ok, can you run the attached script as an administrator please

This will create a text file on your desktop called SFCDetails.txt, can you upload this with your next post?

Tom

 

[SchuKadaj]

Hello SchuKadaj,
Download this free app to keep an eye on the temperatures in your system.
Things in a PC can get overheated in seconds, so don't be fooled by the fact you just turned it on.

SpeedFan - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Make sure all the vents are clear and that the fans are all working.

It could be a type of malware causing this so download, update, and run this free app.

Malwarebytes

What AV are you using ?, have you scanned with that ?.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a good free, and effective AV system, you may want to try that and give your system a scan. (only have one AV installed at a time).

Hope this helps, good luck and post your results.

stoneys-nutz; Tom,

There seems to be only 1 fan working, but that's correct as far as I know - Core 0 and 3 are always with the flame picture (overheated?) while core 1 and 2 change between perfect and too hot. Temp 1 is perfect or just a bit too hot, while temp 2 and 3 are either perfect or with a blue arrow pointing down (too cold?)

The Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware has not detected anything - it just finished. Nothing has been infected.

I also attached the SFCDetails.

 

[stoneys-nutz]

Don't take too much notice of the flames and blue arrows, they are set to default and you can change the properties of these.
What are the temp readings for your CPU ?.

When a PC shuts itself down, it is normally Heat, File system, or a Virus/Malware, unless its set to hibernate at a specific time, have you checked your power options ?.

 

[SchuKadaj]

Don't take too much notice of the flames and blue arrows, they are set to default and you can change the properties of these.
What are the temp readings for your CPU ?.

When a PC shuts itself down, it is normally Heat, File system, or a Virus/Malware, unless its set to hibernate at a specific time, have you checked your power options ?.

It's got no hibernate options working

The temperatures range from lowest 38 to highest 59
the highest belonging to one of the two Cores.

 

[tom982]

Do you actually use the Windows sidebar? Or would you be happy to disable it?

The reason I ask this, is because in your SFC log file, it is showing a few sidebar errors, and I would like to see whether this is the problem (I doubt it, but it still needs fixing!)

If you are happy to disable it then follow these steps:

1. Open the start menu
2. In the search box type msconfig
3. Click on msconfig and accept the UAC prompt
4. Go to the startup tab

You will now be shown a list of the programs that will run on startup.

Scroll down to the entry that matches this:

Startup Item: Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Operating System
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
Command: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autorun
Location: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Uncheck the box on this entry, and select Apply then Ok

Tom

 

[SchuKadaj]

Do you actually use the Windows sidebar? Or would you be happy to disable it?

The reason I ask this, is because in your SFC log file, it is showing a few sidebar errors, and I would like to see whether this is the problem (I doubt it, but it still needs fixing!)

If you are happy to disable it then follow these steps:

1. Open the start menu
2. In the search box type msconfig
3. Click on msconfig and accept the UAC prompt
4. Go to the startup tab

You will now be shown a list of the programs that will run on startup.

Scroll down to the entry that matches this:

Startup Item: Microsoft (R) Windows (R) Operating System
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corporation
Command: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autorun
Location: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Uncheck the box on this entry, and select Apply then Ok

Tom

that item isn't to be found; I only have 2 of Microsoft Corporation; that is Windows Defender and Windows Live Messenger

 

[tom982]

Well it should be there Sort them by Command and then look somewhere near the bottom, it should be there

Tom

 

[SchuKadaj]

Well it should be there Sort them by Command and then look somewhere near the bottom, it should be there

Tom

These are the things I am shown.

Schu.

 

[tom982]

Well it should be there Sort them by Command and then look somewhere near the bottom, it should be there

Tom

These are the things I am shown.

Schu.

That's strange. Let me do some research and I'll get back to you.

I'm going out tonight, and I won't be back until midday tommorow so I apologise in advance for any late replies.

Tom

 

[SchuKadaj]

Well it should be there Sort them by Command and then look somewhere near the bottom, it should be there

Tom

These are the things I am shown.

Schu.

That's strange. Let me do some research and I'll get back to you.

I'm going out tonight, and I won't be back until midday tommorow so I apologise in advance for any late replies.

Tom

Don't worry, it took me 3 weeks to solve the not updating pc - with help of Microsoft.

 

[tom982]

These are the things I am shown.

Schu.

That's strange. Let me do some research and I'll get back to you.

I'm going out tonight, and I won't be back until midday tommorow so I apologise in advance for any late replies.

Tom

Don't worry, it took me 3 weeks to solve the not updating pc - with help of Microsoft.

Hello again, I am finally back

Can you confirm that this copy of Windows is genuine?

The reason I ask this, is because sometimes software pirates will remove certain features of Windows to increase performance (which could be why your sidebar is missing). Please don't be offended by this, I am not accusing you of anything, just enquiring.

Tom

 

[SchuKadaj]

That's strange. Let me do some research and I'll get back to you.

I'm going out tonight, and I won't be back until midday tommorow so I apologise in advance for any late replies.

Tom

Don't worry, it took me 3 weeks to solve the not updating pc - with help of Microsoft.

Hello again, I am finally back

Can you confirm that this copy of Windows is genuine?

The reason I ask this, is because sometimes software pirates will remove certain features of Windows to increase performance (which could be why your sidebar is missing). Please don't be offended by this, I am not accusing you of anything, just enquiring.

Tom

I can confirm it is genuine as I own the disk myself - during the updating problems there was discovered that I had almost no control left of the computer; microsoft was so kind to send a replacement.

 

[niemiro]

Hello all,

Just to put your mind at rest, the only error seen is setting.ini of the Windows Sidebar. This is an error just to leave alone, and in my opinion should have been whitelisted, as this will show up as a corruption whenever you change a setting, install an app (including apps installed by manufacturer without you knowing), a change of clocks or timezone, and even (I strongly suspect) when you disable the Windows Sidebar, as much evidence points to this, though this is far trickier to prove than just viewing this file with the Sidebar on and off, though I will not go into detail.

Therefore, you can just leave this corruption alone!

Richard

P.S. For a possible fix, follow Stoneys-nutz's advice.

 

[tom982]

Hello all,

Just to put your mind at rest, the only error seen is setting.ini of the Windows Sidebar. This is an error just to leave alone, and in my opinion should have been whitelisted, as this will show up as a corruption whenever you change a setting, install an app (including apps installed by manufacturer without you knowing), a change of clocks or timezone, and even (I strongly suspect) when you disable the Windows Sidebar, as much evidence points to this, though this is far trickier to prove than just viewing this file with the Sidebar on and off, though I will not go into detail.

Therefore, you can just leave this corruption alone!

Richard

P.S. For a possible fix, follow Stoneys-nutz's advice.

But what about the missing startup entry?

Tom

 

[niemiro]

Hello all,

Just to put your mind at rest, the only error seen is setting.ini of the Windows Sidebar. This is an error just to leave alone, and in my opinion should have been whitelisted, as this will show up as a corruption whenever you change a setting, install an app (including apps installed by manufacturer without you knowing), a change of clocks or timezone, and even (I strongly suspect) when you disable the Windows Sidebar, as much evidence points to this, though this is far trickier to prove than just viewing this file with the Sidebar on and off, though I will not go into detail.

Therefore, you can just leave this corruption alone!

Richard

P.S. For a possible fix, follow Stoneys-nutz's advice.

But what about the missing startup entry?

Tom

That question I can answer (I think). Let me explain more about startup! There are MANY startup locations, and msconfig only shows some of these. (FOR THE EXPERTS: (ignore this if you do not understand) HiJackThis only shows some as well, but other such as DDS (do not use anymore) show more, but not necessarily all)

The startup location of the Sidebar is in a common location (in fact, the most common location, and is shown by every program) If you disable a startup in msconfig, the data is moved from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\shared tools\msconfig\startupreg\ and is shown as unchecked in msconfig. (FOR THE EXPERTS: For example, a disabled msconfig entry will not show up in HJT, but will in DDS) If, however, you disable it another way, with a different backup, (such as disabling through the Sidebar program itself) then it will not show up in msconfig at all, even unchecked.

Now, if you have not disabled the Sidebar, then this is all wrong!

Richard

 

[tom982]

Hello all,

Just to put your mind at rest, the only error seen is setting.ini of the Windows Sidebar. This is an error just to leave alone, and in my opinion should have been whitelisted, as this will show up as a corruption whenever you change a setting, install an app (including apps installed by manufacturer without you knowing), a change of clocks or timezone, and even (I strongly suspect) when you disable the Windows Sidebar, as much evidence points to this, though this is far trickier to prove than just viewing this file with the Sidebar on and off, though I will not go into detail.

Therefore, you can just leave this corruption alone!

Richard

P.S. For a possible fix, follow Stoneys-nutz's advice.

But what about the missing startup entry?

Tom

That question I can answer (I think). Let me explain more about startup! There are MANY startup locations, and msconfig only shows some of these. (FOR THE EXPERTS: (ignore this if you do not understand) HiJackThis only shows some as well, but other such as DDS (do not use anymore) show more, but not necessarily all)

The startup location of the Sidebar is in a common location (in fact, the most common location, and is shown by every program) If you disable a startup in msconfig, the data is moved from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\shared tools\msconfig\startupreg\ and is shown as unchecked in msconfig. (FOR THE EXPERTS: For example, a disabled msconfig entry will not show up in HJT, but will in DDS) If, however, you disable it another way, with a different backup, (such as disabling through the Sidebar program itself) then it will not show up in msconfig at all, even unchecked.

Now, if you have not disabled the Sidebar, then this is all wrong!

Richard

Thanks for the detailed information Richard. Why isn't dds used any more?

Tom