[uhler]

i'm not sure if it's because of a virus or what. out of nowhere a blue screen appeared and restarted my computer and now i can't even get past my log in screen to get into windows.

i'm getting it checked out sometime this week to see what's the problem. i'm hoping the problem can get fixed without having to replace anything.

this will be my first virus ever if it is one. the illegal downloading gods have finally punished me for all these years of downloading for free.

[jakeonguitar]

<3 Macs.

[tw2113]

<3 Linux

[✌➬]

Originally Posted by jakeonguitar

<3 Macs.

Same here, but it is a matter of time.

[amerikangod]

Dude, same thing happened to me a few weeks back. My registry got fucked up (not from a virus, but a program crashed and couldn't recover and Windows didn't know what to do and just tossed part of my registry), and every time I tried to log in to my account it would crash the computer again. Ultimately I had to back up my files and then reinstall Windows with the installation discs that came with my computer.

This will definitely solve things, but it might be way more work than necessary. First, take note of the error message that appears on the blue screen (like, 'IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL') followed by the 'STOP' code after it (like '0x00000050' followed by more numbers in parenthesis), as these will pinpoint the exact problem. A Google search on the code (on a different computer) can often provide you with a course of action. Also, try these forums for direct assistance:


http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

[atsonicpark]

Everything amerikangod said.

[jakeonguitar]

Originally Posted by ✌➬

Same here, but it is a matter of time.

I have one of the original personal (i.e., not for business use) Macs. You know, the one that looks like a droid from the Jawa transport in Star Wars. (Rectangular prism like)

Never failed, no problems, et cetera. So, I have to disagree. With Macs, it's more the user than the computer that fails. Same with Linux.

[RdTv]

Originally Posted by jakeonguitar

I have one of the original personal (i.e., not for business use) Macs. You know, the one that looks like a droid from the Jawa transport in Star Wars. (Rectangular prism like)

Never failed, no problems, et cetera. So, I have to disagree. With Macs, it's more the user than the computer that fails. Same with Linux.

I can see how one would think that there will be more virus' written for Macs. In the past they occupied less than 2% of the market share in desktop sales. But, now, especially with the intel chips and easier functionality with windows based programs, more folks are switching and that could mean virus threats. I run a ibook G4 that was built on the power pc platform,and I think the odds of these chip-based machines getting virus' will probably always remain low.

[Dead-Air]

Originally Posted by jakeonguitar

I have one of the original personal (i.e., not for business use) Macs. You know, the one that looks like a droid from the Jawa transport in Star Wars. (Rectangular prism like)

Never failed, no problems, et cetera. So, I have to disagree. With Macs, it's more the user than the computer that fails. Same with Linux.

That's somewhat of a religious stance there.

I had one of the last of the first generation iMacs and the damn thing didn't have a fan in it and kept overheating until it crashed. I believe one of the unspoken reasons that Macs switched to Intel from the PowerPC chips is that the damn things ran so hot. Thankfully, I bought a Mac Mini that let me transfer over all of the old files and now the hot headed beast sits alone in the garage contemplating it's anti-social mindset.

That's great you have such a classic old computer, and yeah, I believe they built them to last back then. However, that hardly means that every model of every computer that Apple has made since then has the same perfect track record.

[uhler]

Originally Posted by amerikangod

Dude, same thing happened to me a few weeks back. My registry got fucked up (not from a virus, but a program crashed and couldn't recover and Windows didn't know what to do and just tossed part of my registry), and every time I tried to log in to my account it would crash the computer again. Ultimately I had to back up my files and then reinstall Windows with the installation discs that came with my computer.

This will definitely solve things, but it might be way more work than necessary. First, take note of the error message that appears on the blue screen (like, 'IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL') followed by the 'STOP' code after it (like '0x00000050' followed by more numbers in parenthesis), as these will pinpoint the exact problem. A Google search on the code (on a different computer) can often provide you with a course of action. Also, try these forums for direct assistance:


http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/

that is the exact message i get. i don't have the windows disc that came with my computer anymore. well i might, but it'll be in florida and my mom won't know where to find it.

thanks for you help.

[amerikangod]

Originally Posted by uhler

that is the exact message i get. i don't have the windows disc that came with my computer anymore. well i might, but it'll be in florida and my mom won't know where to find it.

thanks for you help.

Well, from what I understand I think that message can be somewhat generic... meaning a lot of things can make it appear. Like even having a bad graphics card driver, or something. Did you install anything on your computer before it crashed?


Also, do you have any non-administrative accounts that you can still access, like a guest account or another user account?

[Torn Curtain]

Check each RAM stick with Memtest (you can use Ultimate Boot CD or a Linux bootable disk like Ubuntu for that).

[Torn Curtain]

I currently have a very similar problem with my PC (under Vista), it seems to be a RAM slot on the motherboard that is out of order.