PC Attempts to Restart Intermittently

[saluki1net]

I am running Windows XP SP2. The pc is attempting to restart on an
intermittent basis. I have not found any consistancy in terms of a specific
process that I am attempting to run when this situation occurs. Today, it
re-started once when I attempted to open McAfee Internet Security, and again
when I attempted to print from the web. When it attempts to re-start, it
generally tries multiple (sometimes 10+) times before it re-boots and
displays the desktop. I found the following error in the event viewer:
The Server {C7E39D60-7A9F-42BF-ABB1-03DC0FA4F493} did not register with DCOM
within the required timeout

Any recommendations for troubleshooting procedures?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Could be a hijackware problem.

See if you can identify the troublemaker in the startup queue using Clean
Boot troubleshooting: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

 

[Plato]

Could be a hijackware problem.

Or very possibly a ram incompadibility problem

 

[saluki1net]

Attempted clean boot -> re-started in the middle of the clean boot
Attempted system restore to previous date -> system re-started while trying
to restore
Reset to normal startup
Now when I do get booted up -> indicates that McAfee Viruscan is inactive
Pull up McAffee Security center -> displays a blank box
Attempt to open IE -> It will not open but indicates that the shortcut has
changed or moved
I can access the web using Firefox
I am running XP SP2 media center edition which was original with the pc

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am running Windows XP SP2. The pc is attempting to restart on an
intermittent basis.

If your computer is restarting spontaneously, you are presumably
blue-screening, and you are set to the default of rebooting whenever
that happens. It's a poor default setting and you should change it.
Right-click My Computer, and choose Properties. On the Advanced tab,
click Settings under Startup and Recovery. Under System failure,
uncheck the box "Automatically restart.

Now when the problem occurs again, instead of restarting, you will get
the blue screen with diagnostic information. Post back with those
details for more help.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

How long has it been since you cleaned the vents and vacuumed out the
databunnies from the case? You might be experiencing overheating in one or
more components.

 

[saluki1net]

thanks for your help. I am still working through your suggestions, have
encountered numerous problems attempting to run various processes but have
posted the hijackthis log on aumha.net

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/

Attempted clean boot -> re-started in the middle of the clean boot
Attempted system restore to previous date -> system re-started while
trying
to restore
Reset to normal startup
Now when I do get booted up -> indicates that McAfee Viruscan is inactive
Pull up McAffee Security center -> displays a blank box
Attempt to open IE -> It will not open but indicates that the shortcut has
changed or moved
I can access the web using Firefox
I am running XP SP2 media center edition which was original with the pc

PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:

Could be a hijackware problem.

Or very possibly a ram incompadibility problem

I am running Windows XP SP2. The pc is attempting to restart on an
intermittent basis. I have not found any consistancy in terms of a

 

[saluki1net]

I changed the setting to get the blue screen instead of restarting... I
received the following:
stop: 0X000000BE (0XF72EC07E, 0X06C12121, 0XABB96260, 0X0000000B)
ntfs.sys - address F72EC07E base at F72C7000, Datestamp 45CC56A7

I had adaware installed but am no longer able to launch and run it. I can
launch and run windows defender and found no issues but the version is
dated...1.31.8888.0 updated on 4/15/08 (but cannot check for
updates...receive message error found code: 0X8007007E). I downloaded killbox
but I receive the message Run-time error '53' file not found advpack.dll.
When I launch McAfee Security Center, I get a McAfee page but the screen is
blank. When I attempt to launch IE, I receive a message that it is not found.
I can launch and run Firefox. I attempted to restore back to a date that I
believed that the system was stable and the system crashed in the middle of
the restore.

 

[saluki1net]

Or very possibly a ram incompadibility problem

I did find a bad RAM card and replaced...thanks!