BleepingComputer.com: Help Please. Computer Crash

Hello everyone,
I'm completely new to this website. I have been having serious problems with my computer for about 6 months now. Its been randomly restarting itself. At first i just thought that it was a virus or some type of spy ware so i ran all kinds of virus and spy ware programs and i came up completely blank. So i then did a system restore and after the restore its fine for about a month. Due to the system restore I've personally ruled out a hardware problem so im still thinking its a virus or spyware? I recently wandered if my operating system had a currupted file or something so i deleted the partition and reloaded the operating system. Thus its been about a month since i've done that and today it started up again. So i dont know what to do. Ive looked at my event logs and it doesnt even show up there because it happens so abruptly so i dont know what to do now. If anyone has any oppion on this or a fix it would be greatly appreciated. I will place basic specs below if any other info is needed please ask i will be greatful to give any info needed.

Gateway GT5628
Windows Vista Home Premium
3 GB Memory
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600@2.40 GHZ-2.39 GHZ
NVIDIA Ge Force 8500GT

No Changes have been made its completely the way it came from the factory. Again any help would be great and if you'd like anymore info please just ask

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So you havnt installed anything at all since you recovered it a month ago?
there may be a driver or something conflicting without throwing up a bsod

and one more question, what do you have in the way of antivirus?
it could be a site you frequent that has a parasite associated with it

It's also possible that this is a driver issue - and that Windows Updates may not be compatible with it. I'd check all the drivers (at the Gateway site) to see if any have been revised/released in the last 6 to 8 months.

No i have not installed anything other than basic things like internet explorer and microsoft word and things like that. I have Norton antivirus, also have avast antivirus because someone online recommended it and i use spybot search and destroy.

If you have activated resident parts of all those 3 programs that could create problems. You should use only 1 resident AV/Antispyware program, can supplement with 10 others as long as they dont conflict.

At least for troubleshooting purposes get rid of one. You can ask Norton Support site or forum which to delete, or you can go to Avast site, see Knowledgebase about "avast! and other antivirus applications" If you decide to say goodbye to Norton then notice their tool for removal http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgen...005033108162039 I would run that after doing manual uninstall.

Dont know what type of Norton package you have but they dont recommend using Windows Defender and Windows Firewall if they have simular stuff installed. If you install new NIS 2009 it automatically disable both. Only disable Windows Firewall if there is another to replace of course.

Untick "Autmatically restart" in Control Panel, System, Advanced system settings, Startup and Recovery. That way Windows might give a hint as to what trigger crash.

Other drivers you have updated according to Gateways advice for your model?, also the perhaps many extra utilities they install? Be a sheep and install exactly what they suggest.

Not sure how you have ruled out hardware - return to that if crashes continues. If you have to get in contact with Gateway then probably easier if you have done everything by the book. 2 AVs is like the opposite

This post has been edited by Bambo: 09 January 2009 - 11:29 AM