Expert: James Filmer - 12/24/2011

Question
QUESTION: My pc comes on for several minutes and then restarts. I also get THE SYSTEM HAS RECOVERED FROM A SERIOUS ERROR. A LOG OF THIS ERROR HAS BEEN CREATED. Does my computer have a virus or has something shorted?

ANSWER: I need to know more about your system and applications (name, security applications...) to even begin to answer your questions.
Meanwhile, you should start the troubleshooting process by reviewing some of the information provided on the following sites. How often does it happen? Any additional error messages, have you had other issues, did you add, remove or reconfigure and app recently - or make some other kind of change, is it an older computer...?

http://www.technibble.com/computer-keeps-restarting-without-warning

http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-27438-computer-shuts-off-at-random-the-restar

http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/37707

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/894278

http://www.technologyquestions.com/technology/windows-xp/62503-system-has-recove

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Its a refurbished Dell optiplex 270 with Norton 360 and microsoft essentials on it. I tried running virus scans but the computer shuts off before the scan is complete. Hope that helps!!!

Answer
Because it's refurbished, it could be a heat or fan problem related to your motherboard.

You may not understand what that means but the following links will give an introduction to the possibilities.

http://forum.kaspersky.com/lofiversion/index.php/t203177.html

http://forums.techguy.org/windows-xp/578034-solved-system-shut-down-during.html
(Note Rollin' Rog's post near the bottom)

Norton 360 consumes a lot of resources.
1.Did you just acquire the PC?
2.Or have you had a while and the problem just started for no apparent reason?
3.Have added (or removed) any applications lately?
4.Made any system configuration changes?
5.What system are you using and do you have installed all critical Windows updates?

Not saying that the core problem, but you'll need to do some research and provide additional info. Hope I've helped so far.