Haunted computer?

[Guest]

About 2 months ago I ran into some trouble with my laptop and wound up using
the restore CDs included with the laptop to return it back to a like-new
state. Ever since then I've been having issues with it. It likes to start
up on its own at random points in time, and oftentimes will start up again
right after I finish shutting down. (It's at the point where I can't even
leave the battery or the AC power plugged in without it starting up on its
own). My other issue is the persistence of Outlook Express trying to
dominate my screen: it randomly opens without any input from me. (I have all
the latest updates available downloaded and installed too, if that's of any
help) It's nothing threatening the life of the computer I'm sure, but it is
annoying. Any ideas out there? Thanks.

 

[Michael T]

See if these MS Knowledge Base articles help:

XP Restarts Unexpectedly or Restarts When You Shut Down the Computer -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q320299


XP Restarts When You Try to Shut Down Your Computer -
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q311806




If still no joy, then run Ad-Aware SE Personal (first) and SpyBot-Search &
Destroy (second).
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

After you install each, you should click update before running. For example,
with Ad-Aware click on the link "Check for updates now" on the first screen
that appears after you launch the application.

Ideally you should turn off System Restore and reboot in Safe Mode (pressing
F8 a few times while booting).