Computer Shutdowns

[Silent Bob]

My boss brought in a computer and is having problems with it. It shuts down unexpectedly. Sometimes it is just sitting idle, other times it is being used, not sure if it makes a difference. I sent the error report to Microsoft and it came back a problem with a device driver, but they weren't sure which driver was causeing it. The computer was built by someone, no brand name. There is very little hardware in the computer, hard drive, video card, floppy disk drive, power supply, 2 case fans and the mother board. Thats really all the info I have about the computer.

My question is, any one have any suggestions? When I get an opportunity, I will check to make sure all firmware and drivers are up to date, but this computer has been to 3 tech guys and no one has been able to figure anything out. I am not a tech guy, I am just a graphic designer who knows how to tinker with computers a bit, so any suggestions would be great.

Thanks,

SB

 

http://www.gratiskados.nl/index.php?ref=17168

 

[fire400]

Restore the machine back to a fresh version of the OS. If what I am hearing is correct, then you never know if the users who had it before were surfing insecure websites or downloading crapware.
If the problem persists, strip the machine of all components and let it run, then continually add parts to the computer including the installation of the most current device drivers and up-to-date software.
Check BIOS settings too.

It would help if you offered the descriptions of the CPU memory HD mobo maker and year etc.

 

[xanis]

I dunno that's kinda odd. Might be time for a reformat?

 

[Silent Bob]

Ok here are some of the computer specs.

Intel P4 2.40 Ghz
512 Mb Ram
Samsung SP8004H Hard drive
ASUS P4S333 Series motherboard
American Megatrends BIOS
Nvidia GeForce4 MX 440SE AGP8X


I just did a reformat when he brought it in, 3 days ago maybe. He has had it for a while and told me it would just shut off for no reason. But the tech people he sent it too couldn't find anything wrong, but it never shut off for them (go figure). No virus or malware or anything, but a clean install should take care of that even if no one caught it. When it was brought in to me, there were no case fans present, and I had read a post that said that you can configure the BIOS to shut down if it gets to a certain temp. So I took a look but there is nothing to set, it was giving me a reading of the temperatures, but they were in the normal range. I had him buy a case fan and installed it anyways.
I have tried to update as much as I could as far as software, drivers and firmware. I am weary about doing a BIOS upgrade, not quite confident in that aspect, but if thats what it comes down to, I will attempt it.

The last 2 time it has shut down on me, there has been 2 files listed, ntfs.sys and win32k.sys. It says there is a device driver conflict, and I should check the HDD for bad sectors, so I did a scandisk on start up, but it showed nothing. The windows error report also says device driver conflict, but they are not sure which driver it is, but the next time I send the error report, if they have figured it out they will let me know...holding breath...

I am open to any advice or suggestions, thanks in advance.


SB