My computer shuts down for no reason. I tryed a virus scan with Mcafee And bit Defender and The computer shuts down everytime the virus scan gets close to finding the virus. I have no idea what to do.

start->control panel->administrative tools->event viewer Does event viewer show anything? Reboot and access safe mode. Try doing your scan there.

Sudden Shutdowns may be an overheating problem. Check to see if the fans are working. Dust collects inside computers. I vacuum mine out once a year, using a plastic nozzle. Do not blow it it out, or dust will go where you don't want it. Also, try your scans in Windows Safe-Mode. A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP

I ran a virus scan in Safe mode and it shut down around the 4300th file if that matters...and theres alot of stuff in the event tracker

Hello Chris, Just like any good mechanic will tell ya, "first check the basics". Start > Control Pannel > Preformance and Maintenance > Power Options. In the Settings for Home/Office... make sure all the tabs are set to NEVER. Apart from that I agree with Chuck 2 as to an over heating problem. If you download PC Wizard 2005 it should tell you what temp. your comp. is running at. By the time you think you've learned it all..... it's all changed and you have to learn it all over again.

I'm having the same problem as Chris. It just started this morning. When it shuts down, it will not come back on for a while. Every time I turn it on, it just goes right back off (doesn't even boot). I've checked the Event log under software and system errors. The only significant item I noticed had to do with the IS Service and Catalog.wci. It also indicated a problem with Event ID 26 and 1. My virus protection was reporting an attempted attack on my computer during this period, also. It was from an outside source and listed as Netspy trojan horse. I disconnected the internet line and went about troubleshooting. Computer continued to shut down prior to finishing the virus scan and continued to report the attacks. Please help, I don't know what else to do. Thanks.

It seems, in an effort to accessorize, I had placed a table mat under my laptop and, as indicated above "Old Relic" and "Chuck", my laptop was over-heating. I removed the mat and ran my virus scan. I came up with a clean computer and it hasn't shut down for about 5 hours now. Thanks for the help guys!!