Why does my system and browser always crash?

[MikeyPutsOut]

It's been happening alot over a long period of time. There are two things that happen

1. My browser crashes. It doesn't matter if it is IE, Firefox, or Opera, it crashes randomly. The browser will just close up and I have to open up a new instance again. I was hoping there was just something wrong with IE and FF, but I JUST installed Opera and it crashed with little use.

2. My PC will randomly restart, and I mean randomly.

...help!!!

 

[Varun]

Well, start troubleshooting right at the start.

Do you have any viruses/spyware?

Is your computer overheating?

How are your voltages?

Did you run Memtest?

Need more info to troubleshoot, but random restarts can often be attributed to bad RAM.

 

[MikeyPutsOut]

I most likely don't have any viruses or spyware. I don't have any virus protection, but there are no indications. I have Zone Alarm, Spybot, and Adaware, so it's unlikely I have spyware.

I wouldn't know how to check if my PC is overheating or check my voltages.

I could run a memtest.... I can probably do that tomorrow.

 

[imported_TDOG]

I would highly recommend anti-virus software it is way too risky to run without it these days. You can check your temps and other settings in the BIOS or some mobos come with software utilities to monitor temps and voltages. I experienced a similar problem on a clients pc and it turned out to be a bad power supply.
Travis

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: MikeyPutsOut
I most likely don't have any viruses or spyware. I don't have any virus protection, but there are no indications. I have Zone Alarm, Spybot, and Adaware, so it's unlikely I have spyware.

I wouldn't know how to check if my PC is overheating or check my voltages.

I could run a memtest.... I can probably do that tomorrow.

None? How about random restarts?

 

[MikeyPutsOut]

hahaha.... okay, maybe there's that. ...actually, though, I think it even happened after I formatted.

When I get the time later in the day, I will record my voltages and temperature and post them. I'll check for viruses and run memtest and update you guys.

 

[MikeyPutsOut]

MP Temp.......25 C/ 77 F
CPU Temp.....49 C/ 120 F

VCORE Voltage....1.69
+3v Voltage........3.39
+5 Voltage..........4.97
+12 Voltage........12.54

CPU Fan Speed: 4218 RPM

 

[Brazen]

hmmm, symantec and TrendMicro have online virus scanners, plus TrendMicro has a downloadable cleaner which you can also download their full virus definitions file. If you need more info on these, let me know. The Trend Micro cleaner is called System Cleaner. Mcafee also has a downloadable cleaner but it only has definitions for the major viruses, I think it is called Stinger.

Also, grab all the windows updates if you haven't.

 

[MikeyPutsOut]

Well, I already installed a virus scanner and it actually found a couple, but my system still crashes. I'll try to double back and do the online ones tomorrow.

I am only using SP1 though, I never got around to getting SP2... should I?

 

[Nocturnal]

Your system probably has more than a little viruses. I'd go to www.pandasoftware.com/activescan and run their online scanner. Post your log after you're done.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: MikeyPutsOut
Well, I already installed a virus scanner and it actually found a couple, but my system still crashes. I'll try to double back and do the online ones tomorrow.

I am only using SP1 though, I never got around to getting SP2... should I?

You should probably get SP2 and put it on a cd, then unplug your system from the net, reinsstall windows and apply SP2 from the cd and get an anti-virus shield before you connect to the net.

I would completely start over because as nocturnal said, you probably have more than a couple viruses.

 

[Valkerie]

You can try fully reformatting your computer, by erasing the hard drive and reinstalling a fresh copy of Windows or whatever OS you intend to use. If the same problem persists, update your BIOS. If any BIOS shadowings are turned on, disable those features. Check to make sure that your CPU has proper thermal compound, you can never 100% trust mobo sensors.

If you're using hacks, cracks, and work unofficial work-around programs, these malicious programs open back doors to your OS environment, making it less secure.

 

[Brazen]

ditto on the wipe and fresh install. And install and update antivirus software and update Windows first thing after the Windows install.

You may have gotten rid of the viruses on your system, but they may have corrupted some of your system files which is why your computer still does not work.

 

[MikeyPutsOut]

I am now sad.

 

[Valkerie]

look buddy, it's not like any of us hadn't been through what you're goin' through, but that's the result of not having anti-virus software (of of the consequences at least)