Computer is shutting down randomly

[Oak1]

It's true, and I know it's an easy problem to solve. Yet, I can't figure it out.

Whenever I load a program, my computer will shut down right in the middle of my progress. These programs include media players, video game emulators, regular PC games, Dev-C++, Microsoft Access, and even an MS-DOS prompt once.

I'm growing tired of this, and no matter what setting I change, this always happens another time.

I think it could be a virus or another harmful file that my anti-bad stuff software isn't catching. I also thought I could be using to much memory but this has only been happening for about a month now. By the way, this computer is only two years old (if that helps).

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[TickleTheater]

"Video Game Emulators" lead me to believe it is probably a bug since most emulator download sites are risky at best from my own experiences. It could also very well be hardware related depending on your system specs.

Do you notice any loud fan noises before it shuts down? When was the last time you did a full system scan with your "anti-bad stuff software?" What are your system specs more specifically?

//edit

Here's a free online virus scan: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

 

[Oak1]

Well, TickleTheater, my software and the free online scan you provided both show no signs of a virus or any other malicious file (which I find hard to believe).

This particular emulator that I use (a Sega Genesis one) has been used by me for about three years now and has never caused this problem until about a month ago. It's probably one of the games I just downloaded a few days ago....

As far as the loud fan noises, nothing. My computer's fan does not make any strange noises before my computer blanks.

My basic specs are: 340 Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB SDRAM memory, and 160 GB Hard Drive.

I'm still stumped, but I'll keep plugging away. Thanks for the advice.

 

[cosquillero1]

Well, TickleTheater, my software and the free online scan you provided both show no signs of a virus or any other malicious file (which I find hard to believe).

This particular emulator that I use (a Sega Genesis one) has been used by me for about three years now and has never caused this problem until about a month ago. It's probably one of the games I just downloaded a few days ago....

As far as the loud fan noises, nothing. My computer's fan does not make any strange noises before my computer blanks.

My basic specs are: 340 Intel Celeron Processor, 512 MB SDRAM memory, and 160 GB Hard Drive.

I'm still stumped, but I'll keep plugging away. Thanks for the advice.

What OS do you have ?. If you have Win XP, is it updated ?. I had a similar trouble with my Win XP computer and this one got fixed when i did a software update. If your trouble is recent, then it could be a virus, a conflicting software or a lack of updating.

 

[Oak1]

What OS do you have ?. If you have Win XP, is it updated ?. I had a similar trouble with my Win XP computer and this one got fixed when i did a software update. If your trouble is recent, then it could be a virus, a conflicting software or a lack of updating.

Wow. I have Windows XP and *gasp* I have NEVER updated it. Ouch.

I should do that ASAP. Thanks for that painful reminder....

 

[cosquillero1]

Wow. I have Windows XP and *gasp* I have NEVER updated it. Ouch.

I should do that ASAP. Thanks for that painful reminder....

Oh, you should to do it, there are a lot of "malware" or bad software just around. I hope that this advise fix your trouble, good luck. You're welcome.

 

[MistressValerie1]

Oak, try all of these free malware removers:

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_cleaner.html
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356