PC reboots when I log onto the internet

lazza_w

I'm using a different computer as I can't use my main one to log onto the internet.

As soon as I connect to the internet the computer reboots. I've tried disabling remote access incase it's a virus telling the computer to do this (I had this a couple of years ago) but I get blocked from doing this.

I'm especially frustrated as I've only just re-installed Xp following getting attacked by the antivirxp08 virus a week ago. Since formatting and re-installing I've only used Opera or Firefox and the 1st thing I did was to install AVGfree and ZoneAlarm. For the last 3 days the computer's been working fine. AVG scan shows nothing and the computer seems to be working OK otherwise. I've also uninstalled then re-installed the broadband software with no effect.

Is this the result of another virus or can I sort it out by adjusting my settings somehow?

skint999

Since re-installing XP have you ever been able to use the internet trouble free? What browser are you using? Are all the hardware device drivers installed/upto date, aswell as the windows/updates? Have you tried using another browser (if one is installed?) Are there any error messages displayed? Are you using Modem or Router? And have you tried changing the connection port? Do any exclamation marks/warnings appear in Device Manager?

Try using IE to see if that does anything.

exup

How old is the PC - is it quite a powerful one? or just basic. (post the size of the CPU and RAM would give a good idea)

When you say connect to the internet - do you mean when you start the connection, or when you start an internet browser - like internet explorer.

It could be a few things -such as a problem with explorer.
Does anything else cause the reboot? such as a game or windows media player?
Also what happens when the problem occurs? does the PC reboot immediately - or does it freeze for an amount of time before going off - does it make any noises from the hard drive (clunking or juddering noises)

Also check that your power lead into the back of the PC is in correctly and a good fit (doesnt wobble)

lazza_w

Skint - yes, since I've re-installed everything has been fine.

I've used IE to download Opera, then Opera to download AVG, Zonealarm and Firefox and only used Opera/Firefox since. The automatic updates for Windows are on and they've updated until the problem happened

I've tried IE and the same happens.

As soon as I connect to the internet (from the start menu then 'connect to') I get the 'dialing', 'verifying' etc then the computer reboots. No error message, it just turns off then reboots. This only started tonight, before then it was working perfectly. I've not been to any 'dodgy' sites either. I've not changed the connection port, but the problem happend within a second of connecting to the internet so I don't thing that it's a loose wire.

I'm using a broadband modem (Tiscali)

Exup - the PC is 2yrs old with 480MB RAM, Pentium 4 and not running too many other programs in the background. The problem occurs as soon as I open the internet connection. It happens with IE, Firefox and Opera. Nothing else causes the reboot. The PC reboots immediately without any problems BUT it comes up with a message saying that the PC has recovered from a fault (sometimes)


Thanks for helping

lazza_w

I've also tried a system recovery, but that didn't help either

exup

try running ping or tracert in a command line.

START > RUN > type in "cmd" then enter.
you should get a black dos window open up.

then try to ping a website or IP address.

something like "ping google.co.uk"
or "tracert google.co.uk"
these will attempt to send ICMP messages over the internet but nothing like what an explorer program would use. mainly to see if your PC can send anything down the line.

lazza_w

exup- that didn't work. I got a message saying improper command - did I do something wrong or is it a computer problem?

skint999

have you tried plugging the modem into another port on the pc? When re-installing XP did you install all of the motherboard utilities? Does the pc detect when the cable is disconnected? What model of modem is it?

Cat695

sounds like you have the Blaster worm......I know you have AVG but NO virus checker picks up everything


have a look at this and see if it works


http://windows.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/windows-xp-pro-l/system-reboots-automatically-after-i-connect-to-internet-399875


the guy who had the same problems did the same thing as you.....re formatted etc and it did the same thing.....Blaster worm

skint999

lazza_w wrote: »

The PC reboots immediately without any problems BUT it comes up with a message saying that the PC has recovered from a fault (sometimes)

Does it give any error messages? Or error codes? Try and see if you can obtain/view event logs for error codes, this will pinpoint the cause of the fault.

if you need help obtaining event logs, this is how http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427

lazza_w

Cheers for the advice, but I think I've tracked down what initiated the crashes, though i don't know how to sort it out.

Thinking back the crashes happened after a Windows automatic update.

I have re-installed from scratch, loaded ZoneAlarm and AVG before logging onto the internet for the 1st time, updated AVG then gone straight to the Windows Update. I've downloaded Service Pack 3, restarted, and the computer is fine. Once I've downloaded the next lot of updates the crashes recurr.

As I connect to the internet I get the usual 'connnecting'; 'verifying username and password' then the computer suddenly turns off and restarts to be followed by a box telling me that the computer has recovered from a major crisis. It is functional but the crash as soon as I connect to the internet recurrs. There's no warning before the computer turns off (like you get with the Blaster worm - I remember having it on an old computer)

I've tried this again with the same result. I've also run error checking software that came with the modem (a Speedtouch 330 modem that came with Tiscali) and that seems to be fine. I've tried in a couple of USB ports and it's not working on those once the error occurs. I can also use the same modem on another computer without any problems.

It looks like there's some compatability problem with the Windows updates. Any ideas?