Computer won't restart/shutdown, font change on .txt firefox,weird behaviors

About my computer: custom build computer build by professionals on ncix dot com, windows XP Home Edition service pack 2 . AMD 2.1 mhz processor, 1 GB RAN, 320 GB seagate HD (it has 58% space available), File fragmented only 1%, 1.96 virtual memory available. 8-9 months old

It all started when i updated windows update on april 14 and also installed youtube uploader and the the problem started right after 2 days ago later then that. I uninstalled youtube uploaded but the problem still persist. what happens is the computer works fine for the whole day but after 9-10 hours or more for some reason it does all kinds of weird things. For example like first, on a saved notepad .txt the place where the name of the .txt is disappears (where the name and Red X mark is to close whatever your using). Even if i close and re-open it, its their and it happens basically to all programs, files I open and including firefox browser. Then it gets even worst like when i re-open a saved .txt file the font changes and also the font changes on firefox also automatically. Then I try to restart and shutdown my computer many times but it doesn't do anything (no message, its like i didn't even click the restart or shut down button) Then it gets more worse by firefox browser not opening and start menu saved shortcuts disappeared. So I had no choice but to manually power off the computer by unplugging it and when it is back on EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL! But just to be caution, I deleted all temporary internet files and cache. Then, I scanned my computer with kaspersky internet security but it didn't find anything. Also checked windows task manager for any suspicious process running and googling it and didn't find anything suspious. I even tried hijackthis tool but it didn't find anything also. I don't know whats the problem is since after 10-11 hours again (not continous work since I only surf online, read ebooks, sell on ebay, watch vidoes and nothing like that needs a lot of power like playing games, photoshop, making movies, etc) it does the same thing over in the same pathern. Please ADVISE on what I should do since I do not want to damage/erase all the MEMORABLE documents, photos and other things My family deeply cherish. We will be waiting on anything that can remedy our situation!

 

Hi tomcruise3230,
Welcome to Major Geeks!

Have you tried returning your computer to a restore point which preceeds the Youtube and the Windows Update? If not, please try that before we look elsewhere. To do this, go to Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore
check the box to Restore my computer to an earlier time and click on Next. You'll see a calendar with highlighted dates. Choose one of the dates just preceeding these problems and allow your system to return to that date. See if the problem goes away.

Let me know how this goes.
abri

 

No I didn't however If i do a system restore prior to april 14 or when i updated windows updates will the problem go away if the cause of the problem was the update and not a malware or a virus?

 

I did a system restore but it said "no changes have been made to your computer" What does that mean and I still see the updates for windows update i did on april 14 and 15.

 

Which date did you choose? You have to choose one of the highlighted dates on the calendar. See if you can find a highlighted date from April 13th or earlier, click on it and then follow the prompts. Tell me what happens.

If you get the same message again and the updates are still there, then your system restore might not be working, although if you have a calendar in system restore with highlighted dates, it should be working.

If the above doesn't work, begin by uninstalling the YouTube Uploader. I suspect the problem is more likely here than with the Windows updates.

If the problems was caused by a Windows Update, you can unintall those by going to add/remove programs. Make sure the button is checked to show updates. Once they are showing in the list with the other software, you can see the date they were installed over on the right of the list. When you click on one of the updates, it will give you the choice of removing it.

I prefer going back to an earlier restore point for this kind of problem, because it may not be an updates problem, but a software problem between two programs or it could still be malware. Try system restore again first.
Thanks.
abri

 

I was able to remove the update so that is no longer the problem since I figured out its the heating problem. Therefore, can someone tell me how do I check my fans if they are working probably (is their a tool/software to do that?) And how do i undo overclocking since it was a custom build PC my professionals at ncix dot com.

 

this time the problem start happening again and the temperature was low. I believe it is a registry issue since it happened as soon as i clearned some registry from cclceaner (Ccleaner.com) and I had to manually shutdownn again (tried CTRL + DEL + ALT didn't work) So what should I do know?

 

Hi tomcruise3230,

Does System Restore work? If so, go back to posts 3 and 5 of this thread and see if you did everything correctly there. Also, did you uninstall the YouTube uploader you mentioned in your first post? If System Restore doesn't offer you an earlier restore point, I need to send you to either the Software or the Hardware forums to start a thread there. They can point you at the diagnostic tools you'll need to test some of these things.

abri

 

Already tried system restore and did what the posts said but still no good. Also uninstalled YouTube Uploader (it wasn't a spyware since i download from the main site of youtube). If you want you can send me to either the Software or the Hardware forums. Also, just want to know why the problems start everytime 9 hours later since I have the computer on all that time and doing work but not continously. Is this how a malware and registry problem work?

 

Hi tomcruise3230,

If you tried a restore point from before this started and this didn't get rid of the problem, then I would look next for a hardware problem. You could first run the BitDefender online scan, which will check to see if your restore points themselves might be infected. To do this go to Running BitDefender Online Scan .

Whether BitDefender gives you any further information or not, I advise you to backup all the things you want to save. Then try and close out the possibility that it's a hardware problem by having the people in hardware help you with diagnostics in that area. There is also an overclocking forum and they should at least be able to tell you if these kinds of symptoms have ever been known to occur due to overclocking. Also, check the environment of the computer. Is it every 9-10 hours or is it occuring at a specific time each day?

abri

 

it does happen at least 9 hours later and it doesn't matter what time. Also, do you think it is a hacker attacking my computer because i had a fight online with a hacker and he probably put a trojan or any malware on my computer since he knew my IP address since I sended him a email when we fought (but i changed it later) and the problem also started right after once we fought.

 

tomcruise3230,
It's possible. The scans we have you run pick up common forms of malware and we're able to locate some of the uncommon and newly developing forms as well, but we don't even try to guarantee we can find everything. Unfortunately, the only easy way to find that out would be to back up your data and reformat. Your IP address is not likely static, however, if you do any chatting or go anywhere where someone knows your habits, they could get your address again. If you have a good firewall and have cancelled out the possibility of problems due to overclocking, your graphics card and overheating, then you may want to try a reformat when you've got the time to spare.
abri