Sudden Shutdown of XP Home
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From: w_tom on 15 Feb 2005 19:31 Go back and learn about Event Logs. All NT Operating Systems had this necessary log (which is just another in a long list of reasons why the early 1990 Windows NT was so superior to Windows 9x OSes). You must read this history log before trying to fix anything. Furthermore, do not delete things as if your machine was chock full of viruses. That possibility should be far down the list of usual suspects. Event viewer - the system log - is listed in Microsoft HELP in so many topics. Enter Event to find further information such as: Change the event log size Clear an event log Add another view of an event log Using event viewer Event viewer is also be found in Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools. Event viewer will provide summary statements. Click on them to obtain further details. As usual, the numbers will be some of the most important facts. Never ignore the numbers. Record them if necessary. Do not delete SVHOST. First report the dates (including modified date), size, and full filename (including the three letters after the period) if you suspected a problem. Often the other copy in C:\i386 is necessary so that Windows XP can fix or modify itself as you request. You have no reason to be suspicious (yet) of any executable file in your machine. Furthermore, if a virus was a problem, then delete it's process in Task Manager. You can delete anything in Task Manager. Either the machine will need be rebooted or the task will be eliminated. If you delete a necessary task such as Explorer, then it will just reload itself again. Either way, you will not destroy the system. If you suspect malware, then post a list of processes from Task Manager. And again, what do the comprehensive hardware diagnostics report? Hardware complications are a more likely reason for your problems. Never try to fix software until hardware is first verified. IOW do not do restore. This is the simple solution - the hydrogen bomb - to wipe out everything so that Dell need not hear from you. People with minimal technical knowledge never need use the restore. Dropping the nuke is not necessary if you collect fundamental information before trying to fix anything. Base upon what you have posted here and in other posts, no one can suggest an action and do so responsibly. Any 'do this or do that' would only be wild speculation - and could be destructive. You system comes up in safe mode so that you can read that event log and get other important information (such as from Task Manager and Device Manager). So you can learn why the problem exists before fixing anything. It is a Dell. When it first powers up, it tells you how to get into the hardware diagnostics such as pressing F2 or whatever. If not, then Dell can provide comprehensive diagnostics on their web site for you machine. They are a responsible company. And you need to confirm hardware integrity. Those diagnostics execute without the complications of Windows (or assumed viruses). Execute them. Just don't select any option that might write test data to the hard drive. Susan wrote: > I have tried to determine what causes the problem. I have first > studied the programs at startup. Unfortunately, I have to do > everything in Safe mode because black screen in normal startup > will not let me get to anything. I have considered wiping > everything out with clean reinstallation, but Dell KB under > "steps should I attempt to possibly avoid reinstalling MS XP" > suggests restore which I cannot do at this point. > > As for System logs, I did a help and there was mention of Dr. > Watson (which has been worthless in past) but I could not set it > up with black screen anyway! > > The Device Manager shows no yellow question marks, etc. > > I admit that I am no expert but was once told that I have the > persistence of Job which has served me well so far . > > I appreciate any advice and have emailed Microsoft many times > that I appreciate their support of the Newsgroups. |