Automatic restart, and malfunctioning System Restore

My brother's PC has been having some issues today. It keeps restarting
without being prompted.
It is a Windows XP Media Center Edition (2004 I believe).

Virus scans turn up nothing. When booting up it says that user information
cannot be found, and that it is using default user information. After an
attempted System Restore to last Sunday, the results say that the restore was
incomplete and that no changes were made.

Another thing I noticed, was that when booting up, there is a small blue
text box stating that preferances were loading and such. I saw this earlier
this morning on my father's computer when booting up, but never before those
instances.

I believe this problem is somehow related to the recent update.

I can't tell you everything that his computer says, since I was not present
for the whole cycle. More information on the way.
Speedy diagnosis appreciated.

Can you restart in the safe mode successfully?
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL

"Preston Hamlin" <> wrote in message
news:F540EFE2-7C05-4600-9C82-...
> My brother's PC has been having some issues today. It keeps restarting
> without being prompted.
> It is a Windows XP Media Center Edition (2004 I believe).
>
> Virus scans turn up nothing. When booting up it says that user information
> cannot be found, and that it is using default user information. After an
> attempted System Restore to last Sunday, the results say that the restore
> was
> incomplete and that no changes were made.
>
> Another thing I noticed, was that when booting up, there is a small blue
> text box stating that preferances were loading and such. I saw this
> earlier
> this morning on my father's computer when booting up, but never before
> those
> instances.
>
> I believe this problem is somehow related to the recent update.
>
> I can't tell you everything that his computer says, since I was not
> present
> for the whole cycle. More information on the way.
> Speedy diagnosis appreciated.

Pass the following on to our broher.


Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer, it
is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon before the
problem began.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is
being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.

"Preston Hamlin" <> wrote in message
news:F540EFE2-7C05-4600-9C82-...
> My brother's PC has been having some issues today. It keeps restarting
> without being prompted.
> It is a Windows XP Media Center Edition (2004 I believe).
>
> Virus scans turn up nothing. When booting up it says that user information
> cannot be found, and that it is using default user information. After an
> attempted System Restore to last Sunday, the results say that the restore
> was
> incomplete and that no changes were made.
>
> Another thing I noticed, was that when booting up, there is a small blue
> text box stating that preferances were loading and such. I saw this
> earlier
> this morning on my father's computer when booting up, but never before
> those
> instances.
>
> I believe this problem is somehow related to the recent update.
>
> I can't tell you everything that his computer says, since I was not
> present
> for the whole cycle. More information on the way.
> Speedy diagnosis appreciated.

Sorry for the typos.

"Bob" <> wrote in message
news:henp0r$he3$...
> Pass the following on to our broher.
>
>
> Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of
> these Web pages.
> Help with malware:
> All MS-MVP Sites.
> Consider this: Whenever a new error condition appears on your computer, it
> is almost certain that there was some change to the computer soon before
> the problem began.
> http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
> Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315
> http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
> http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
> http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php
>
> So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
> For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
> whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to
> convince you that you owe it to the author. See also:
> http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
> Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and
> see what else is
> being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure of.
>
> "Preston Hamlin" <> wrote in
> message news:F540EFE2-7C05-4600-9C82-...
>> My brother's PC has been having some issues today. It keeps restarting
>> without being prompted.
>> It is a Windows XP Media Center Edition (2004 I believe).
>>
>> Virus scans turn up nothing. When booting up it says that user
>> information
>> cannot be found, and that it is using default user information. After an
>> attempted System Restore to last Sunday, the results say that the restore
>> was
>> incomplete and that no changes were made.
>>
>> Another thing I noticed, was that when booting up, there is a small blue
>> text box stating that preferances were loading and such. I saw this
>> earlier
>> this morning on my father's computer when booting up, but never before
>> those
>> instances.
>>
>> I believe this problem is somehow related to the recent update.
>>
>> I can't tell you everything that his computer says, since I was not
>> present
>> for the whole cycle. More information on the way.
>> Speedy diagnosis appreciated.
>