Corrupted file, have to type this quick!!

Smithmeister

Guys/gals,

For a while now my pc has, for some reason, just switched it self off and it goes back to switching on from cold stage. Tonight though it has kept crashing and crashing going back to the switch on process again.

When i send the error report it tells me that i have a corrupted file, possibly software or hardware. I have not installed any hardware or software recently(aprt from microsoft downloads). I don't file share have p2p software anything!! All i do is surf and burn music to my mp3. All i can think of is that my phone is back from repair and it was connected tonight, but it has been connected before??

Is there a 'free' scan and fix programme someone can recommend? Or is there another simple way?

My os is Windows XP and i use Firefox as my browser. I use AVG 8.0, spybot as my security.

Sorry for quick post but i fear my PC will again crash and it's getting late!!!

Regards

Smithmeister

aliEnRIK

Sounds to me like a hardware issue and with it constantly switching off has also corrupted windows

Id guess its the PSU but its impossible to say for sure

Smithmeister

Cheers aliEnRIK,

PSU = power supply unit? If so would this be a costly repair? Anything i can try and run in the meantime to rule anything else out?

Regards

posted_2

Does it do it in safemode? No message on screen, one minute windows, one minute off? Plugged in securely at the back?

Smithmeister

Definitely plugged int he back ok. Have never tried in safe mode and to be honest wouldn't be quite sure how! Yeah, no warning. One minute i'm surfing the next it shuts down, the fan kicks in and it's like you have just switched the PC on for the 1st time.

aliEnRIK

Smithmeister wrote: »

Cheers aliEnRIK,

PSU = power supply unit? If so would this be a costly repair? Anything i can try and run in the meantime to rule anything else out?

Regards

PSUs dont cost much and are very easy to fit by anyone. BUT ~ it could be any number of things really (Motherboard, CPU, RAM etc)

Smithmeister

I take it my best bet is really to take it to a PC repair shop then aliEnRIK?

aliEnRIK

Smithmeister wrote: »

I take it my best bet is really to take it to a PC repair shop then aliEnRIK?

In your particular case it probably is (do NOT use PC World though )

Just so were clear though ~ you havnt plugged anything in have you? (usb camera, usb hardrive or whatever?)

deejayen

There could be a possibility that its getting too hot -- Could try taking the side off and having a look and blowing any dirt out of the case & heatsink fins -- dave

aliEnRIK

deejayen wrote: »

There could be a possibility that its getting too hot -- Could try taking the side off and having a look and blowing any dirt out of the case & heatsink fins -- dave

Cant believe I didnt say that myself. Nice one (I blame working nightshifts )

Smithmeister

aliEnRIK wrote: »

In your particular case it probably is (do NOT use PC World though )

Just so were clear though ~ you havnt plugged anything in have you? (usb camera, usb hardrive or whatever?)

I have connected my phone via the usb port. It has a hard drive inside.

I brought it into work today to ask my tech guy, he has been running it for about an hour on the BIOS. He tells me that if it doesn't crash then it points to software and not hardware.

Seems pretty weird as i don't remeber installing anything unusual other than standard stuff.