# My computers acting strange! **URL:** \ **Category:** Canada Nissan Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 1, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052 "2006-09-01T17:24:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CA18DET-180SX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@CA18DET-180SX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/CA18DET-180SX)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/1 "2006-09-01T17:24:54Z")
I need some help because I’m not too computer savvy. Sometimes my computer will just randomly restart. It gets rather annoying because you could be in the middle of something then bam, nothing, it’ll restart. Any ideas what this could be? I would hate to have to waste my money buying a new computer if I can just fix this one. ---
**Author:** ![Doozer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/doozer/32/5818_2.png) [@Doozer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doozer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/2 "2006-09-01T17:48:29Z")
What operating system? You could have a virus, or you could have Windows Updates installing automatically and restarting your computer after install. ---
**Author:** ![beatshack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f0a364/32.png) [@beatshack](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/beatshack)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/3 "2006-09-01T22:45:47Z")
virus. check your c:\windows\system32 folder for any DLL’s that are less than a month old… if there is any new files in there with a suspicious name, rename the .dll to .bak, restart and see if it happens again. :drinkers: ---
**Author:** ![baker\_jeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@baker\_jeff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/baker_jeff)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 10:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/4 "2006-09-02T10:02:02Z")
Could also be overheating… Run a virus scan as well like they said. ---
**Author:** ![CA18DET-180SX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@CA18DET-180SX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/CA18DET-180SX)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/5 "2006-09-02T18:29:11Z")
> [@beatshack](#): > > virus. > > check your c:\windows\system32 folder for any DLL’s that are less than a month old… if there is any new files in there with a suspicious name, rename the .dll to .bak, restart and see if it happens again. > > :drinkers: Theres like a bajillion of those things in there. It would take forever to go through them all. Also, could it have something to do with my windows not updating? Apparantly our version of windows is genuine so I dunno. Also, I’m not sure if it could be overheating, because I can start my computer and as soon as it gets to the desktop it will restart. Other times it may take an hour, or not restart at all. Its really random. Oh yeah, the OS is Windows XP Professional I think. ---
**Author:** ![Doozer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/doozer/32/5818_2.png) [@Doozer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Doozer)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-computers-acting-strange/144052/6 "2006-09-03T14:42:55Z")
> [@CA18DET-180SX](#): > > Theres like a bajillion of those things in there. It would take forever to go through them all. You can sort them by date, and check only the most recent ones. But yes, it could potentially be a lot of work. > [@CA18DET-180SX](#): > > Also, I’m not sure if it could be overheating That might’ve been a joke, but it’s possible that the machine COULD be overheating. Some machines will shut down if the temp gets too high as a safety precaution. You can check this by looking in the system log. > [@CA18DET-180SX](#): > > Also, could it have something to do with my windows not updating? Apparantly our version of windows is genuine so I dunno. Microsoft DID just release an update that’s supposed to verify legal versions of Windows XP, but it doesn’t make your computer restart randomly. There’s a million things that could be causing it, from a failing power supply to a virus or spyware. You have to try to narrow it down. First, check the system log and see if there’s anything in there that will give you more ideas. (right click “My Computer”, select “Manage”, then “Event Viewer”, then look in the System log, and probably check the Application log as well. Then run any one of the many free online virus scans. The first one is the one I usually use. [http://housecall.antivirus.com/](http://housecall.antivirus.com/) [http://www.coledata.com/virusalert.htm](http://www.coledata.com/virusalert.htm) [http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/misc/av.php](http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/misc/av.php) > **[The Antivirus Revolution - Panda Security](https://www.pandasecurity.com/?ref=www.pandasoftware.es%2Factivescan%2Factivescan-com.asp)** > > The best antivirus protection for all your devices: Don't be a target! Join the next generation of digital protection [http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/](http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/) > **[Bitdefender - Global Leader in Cybersecurity Software](https://www.bitdefender.com/)** > > Bitdefender is a cybersecurity software leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. > **[Anti-Virus Web Protection & Spyware Removal | StopSign™ Internet Security](http://stopsign.com/)** > > Anti-virus and internet security from StopSign™ keeps your PC free from viruses, spyware, root kits, and more. After you’ve done that, you should have a better idea of where the problem is, and how to fix it.