[dba-Tech] Virus that causes frequent reboots

Arthur,

Last spring I was having similar problems. Kept getting spontaneous 
reboots. Problem seemed to be most prevalent when I was using the scanner, 
or shutting down the CD burner. MS diagnostics kept telling me alternately 
that it was a memory problem, or bad drivers. Installed new memory. Also 
tried installing new drive. And of course I went crazy scanning for viruses 
and such. Nothing seemed to fix the problem completely.

My gut feeling is that it's a hardware issue. Futzing with the drive cables 
seemed to have the greatest value. Cables may not have been seated 
properly. Problem also seemed to be more prevalent in warmer weather, 
perhaps a heat problem, or power supply problem. I also suspected dirty 
power line, or perhaps voltage drops. Problem seemed to ease coincident 
with installation of Win2K.

I am convinced that this is a hardware problem, perhaps exacerbated by 
problem drivers. I do not turn my scanner off until I shut the PC down. I 
also am very careful about popping CDs in and out while programs may be 
running in other windows,   particularly before the program has signaled a 
readiness to deal with the CD drive. The PC still -- tho rarely -- reboots. 
In the last few months, I have experienced the problem only a couple of 
times that I remember. Last spring the problem was occuring almost daily.

Hope this helps somewhat. It is trememdously frustrating, I know. But try 
reseating cables and memory. Then check for updated drivers. And keep a 
record of the circumstances of the problem.

Bob

>-----Original Message-----
>From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
>[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur
>Fuller
>Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 6:25 AM
>To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues
>Subject: [dba-Tech] Virus that causes frequent reboots
>
>Maybe I got bit recently. But my win2k box reboots frequently, sometimes
>when I'm nowhere near it and just watching tv in the same room. I use
>AVG but it can't find anything amiss. Are there any known signs (files
>etc.) that evince the presence of that virus/worm that causes frequent
>reboots?
>
>I just got finished re-installing everything and I'd hate to have to do
>it all over again.
>
>It seems that no matter what sort of burner I buy, I'm still way behind.
>
>My fave box has twin 80GB drives and a single sided DVF burner. Reminds
>me of the days of FastBack floppy backups. Insert Disk #82. Sheesh.


Bob Geldart             BGeldart at verizon.net
Maynard, MA