[Misfit45]

Please can somebody help?

My mum has got problems with her computer (I’m guessing virus). It all started when my Niece was using the computer for homework, but decided to go on BeBo.

Since then, when login onto the computer, it will ask for a Password (which has never been set up) this can be bypassed but is a pain.

Also, the computer will shut itself down. This can range from being on for a couple of hours and then will shut down every few minutes, to, the computer shutting down as soon as it has been started up.

I am trying to run: Spybot, Ad-aware and Spyware Blaster (and have got Panda Antivirus ordered and on the way) but the computer will shut down before these can be run.

Does anyone know of a way I could run these (or any other programs that would be great for getting rid of Viruses / Spyware) without the interruptions of shutdown?

The computer is running Windows 2000.

Failing this, the only option I can think of is a total reinstall, which my mum would rather not do, as there are lots of things on her computer that she would like to keep.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[1002richards]

Sorry but I can't suggest a fix but would strongly recommend backing-up all her docs, photos etc etc to external storage (eg hard drive or usb sticks) just in case anything else goes wrong.

[Misfit45]

Thanks

[1002richards]

You're welcome! Is is resolved? If so ... how? He asks being nosey!!

[Misfit45]

It is....... And it isn't!

The problem turned out to be that the computer was overheating, which would then cause it to reboot.

I've managed to sort this out (for the time being) so that I could get rid of the viruses, I upgraded the memory so that it would run faster to allow everything that needed doing.

She's happy with it (for now), but I have recommended that she buy a new one as soon as, but this time, with XP.

I have a great supplier for EXCELLENT computers here in London, and I have told her to let me know before she buys one (as she lives in Wales), because she will probably just go to PC World and get ripped off.

Thanks for your help.

[1002richards]

Glad to hear it's sorted. Useful to have a good supplier rather than relying on PC World who want to sell what suits them rather than what suits the customer!