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I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
time.

Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the problem?

How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
start.
TIA -- WC

Lord Jester wrote:
> WCH wrote:
>
>
>>I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
>>fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
>>all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
>>time.
>>
>>Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
>>shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
>>for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
>>something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
>>when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
>>any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
>>fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
>>replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
>>down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
>>to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
>>hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the
>>problem?
>>
>>How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
>>start.
>>TIA -- WC
>
>
> It's been awhile since I've used a windows box, but I would start by
> checking your power settings in the control panel. They might be set to
> power down the machine after a certain amount of time with no activity.
> Windows had a tendency to 'adjust' itself on me at times. So it may have
> done this for you.
> Next running anti-virus software is not always enough. Do a full system
> scan.
> Also try running a spyware/adware remover. Adaware I hear is good.
>
> Check your Powersupply and make sure that the fan is still running. My wifes
> box had this problem and it just over heated and shutdown.
>
> Finally pending others advice, do a complete system backup incase this is a
> hardware problem.
>
> Good luck,
> JesterDev
>
Thanks for the suggestions. I did a full system scan -- nothing. I
updated and ran both SpyBot S&D and AdAware. SpyBot found nothing,
AdAware found a few tracking cookies, which I had it delete. The fan of
my power supply is running, I can hear it and I can feel the air from
the back. Don't know about the CPU fan, though. I hadn't thought to
check that but now tomorrow I will. I'll check the power settings. All
other leads welcomed.
WC

Lord Jester wrote:
> WCH wrote:
>
>
>>I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
>>fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
>>all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
>>time.
>>
>>Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
>>shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
>>for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
>>something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
>>when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
>>any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
>>fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
>>replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
>>down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
>>to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
>>hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the
>>problem?
>>
>>How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
>>start.
>>TIA -- WC
>
>
> It's been awhile since I've used a windows box, but I would start by
> checking your power settings in the control panel. They might be set to
> power down the machine after a certain amount of time with no activity.
> Windows had a tendency to 'adjust' itself on me at times. So it may have
> done this for you.
> Next running anti-virus software is not always enough. Do a full system
> scan.
> Also try running a spyware/adware remover. Adaware I hear is good.
>
> Check your Powersupply and make sure that the fan is still running. My wifes
> box had this problem and it just over heated and shutdown.
>
> Finally pending others advice, do a complete system backup incase this is a
> hardware problem.
>
> Good luck,
> JesterDev
>
Thanks for the suggestions. I did a full system scan -- nothing. I
updated and ran both SpyBot S&D and AdAware. SpyBot found nothing,
AdAware found a few tracking cookies, which I had it delete. The fan of
my power supply is running, I can hear it and I can feel the air from
the back. Don't know about the CPU fan, though. I hadn't thought to
check that but now tomorrow I will. I'll check the power settings. All
other leads welcomed.
WC

Lord Jester wrote:
> WCH wrote:
>
>
>>I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
>>fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
>>all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
>>time.
>>
>>Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
>>shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
>>for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
>>something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
>>when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
>>any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
>>fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
>>replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
>>down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
>>to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
>>hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the
>>problem?
>>
>>How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
>>start.
>>TIA -- WC
>
>
> It's been awhile since I've used a windows box, but I would start by
> checking your power settings in the control panel. They might be set to
> power down the machine after a certain amount of time with no activity.
> Windows had a tendency to 'adjust' itself on me at times. So it may have
> done this for you.
> Next running anti-virus software is not always enough. Do a full system
> scan.
> Also try running a spyware/adware remover. Adaware I hear is good.
>
> Check your Powersupply and make sure that the fan is still running. My wifes
> box had this problem and it just over heated and shutdown.
>
> Finally pending others advice, do a complete system backup incase this is a
> hardware problem.
>
> Good luck,
> JesterDev
>
Thanks for the suggestions. I did a full system scan -- nothing. I
updated and ran both SpyBot S&D and AdAware. SpyBot found nothing,
AdAware found a few tracking cookies, which I had it delete. The fan of
my power supply is running, I can hear it and I can feel the air from
the back. Don't know about the CPU fan, though. I hadn't thought to
check that but now tomorrow I will. I'll check the power settings. All
other leads welcomed.
WC

WCH wrote:

> I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
> fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
> all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
> time.
>
> Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
> shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
> for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
> something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
> when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
> any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
> fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
> replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
> down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
> to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
> hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the
> problem?
>
> How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
> start.
> TIA -- WC

It's been awhile since I've used a windows box, but I would start by
checking your power settings in the control panel. They might be set to
power down the machine after a certain amount of time with no activity.
Windows had a tendency to 'adjust' itself on me at times. So it may have
done this for you.
Next running anti-virus software is not always enough. Do a full system
scan.
Also try running a spyware/adware remover. Adaware I hear is good.

Check your Powersupply and make sure that the fan is still running. My wifes
box had this problem and it just over heated and shutdown.

Finally pending others advice, do a complete system backup incase this is a
hardware problem.

Good luck,
JesterDev

I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when on Tue,
07 Dec 2004 02:28:21 GMT, WCH <> screamed from
behind the mulberry bush:

>I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
>fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
>all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
>time.
>
>Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
>shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
>for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,
>something has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room
>when it happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed
>any new software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power
>fluctuation, in that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to
>replace the other one, just in case. No help. The PC will shut
>down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
>to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take
>hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the problem?
>
>How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
>start.
>TIA -- WC

Could be.........

Your Power Supply ready to go tits up

or

Your system is dirty as hell and you need to blow the dust bunnies
outta it. If you live in a dusty **** hole, smoke, etc., and the fans
coat the cooling fins of your CPU's heatsink with crap, it'll lead to
over heating, thus the thing will turn off before it burns your
****ing house down.

Try cracking the case and looking. I recommend blowing it out with
canned air. Vacuums don't seem to get it all.

On Tue, 07 Dec 2004 02:28:21 GMT, WCH wrote:

>I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
>fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax
>all the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the
>time.
>
>Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
>shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting
>for the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases,

Try looking in the event logs, just in case.

<snip>
>down/reboot two or three times each day now. I'd hate like hell to have
>to do a clean install, as I've got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take

Something Win *needs* on a regular basis anyway.

>hours to reinstall. And even then, how do I know that'd solve the problem?

If you reinstall once, use Norton Ghost (or similar) backup to CD a
clean system. If there are still problems it takes a lot less time
reinstall back off the CDs. This works best if data files / saved stuff
are on a different partition/drive than the OS.

>How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
>start.

Dont leave the room

Me

"WCH" <> wrote in message
news:9z8td.723328$8_6.245957@attbi_s04...
> I've been running a Windows 2000 installation for at least a year. It's
> fully patched and updated. I run NIS (also fully updated) and WinFax all
> the time (FYI). The PC (a fast AMD with 512 MB of RAM) runs all the time.
>
> Starting this week I'll come in the room and find the machine off. Just
> shut down. Or I'll come in and find that it's rebooted and is waiting for
> the password prompt for a network connection. In both cases, something
> has caused this PC to shut down/reboot. I'm never in the room when it
> happens. I have no idea what's going on. I haven't installed any new
> software lately. I don't think it's an electrical power fluctuation, in
> that it's on a UPS and I brought in a bigger UPS to replace the other one,
> just in case. No help. The PC will shut down/reboot two or three times
> each day now. I'd hate like hell to have to do a clean install, as I've
> got a ton of stuff on here and it'd take hours to reinstall. And even
> then, how do I know that'd solve the problem?
>
> How should I proceed to diagnose this issue? I don't even know where to
> start.
> TIA -- WC

Start with the yellow pages of your local phone book, under "PC Repair"

"Lord Jester" <> wrote in message
news:...
> WCH wrote:
>
> It's been awhile since I've used a windows box,

Then you have no business offering advice on how to the fix them.

"why?" <fgrirp*sgc@VAINY!Qznq.fpvragvfg.pbz> wrote in message
news:...
>
> Something Win *needs* on a regular basis anyway.
>

Bullshit. A myth propagated by the incompetent.