Should I do a factory reset?

[Tennafa]

Having some issues with popups when I start my computer, also having problems playing downloaded games. Can only play for about 10 minutes or so then computer will reboot without warning. Attaching a Hijackthis log file for your perusal. Thanks in advance for your help.

[veeg]

Hello

Hopefully some of our members will chime in soon. Have you ran any other malware scans?

jmarket @Malnutrition @gus

[Bruce]

the random reboots could be dust build up within the chassis, so remove the side cover and blow out any excess dust.
it could also be faulty hardware, maybe memory sticks. so try running the PC with only one stick at a time to isolate the potential culprit.
or it could be a malicious infection, so a member of the Security Team will guide you through that process once they see this thread.

can you post some screenshots of the pop-up messages that happen during start up?
are they random or the same message each time?

[Tennafa]

I’ve ran my antivirus and malwarebytes software, and both say nothing’s wrong. I’ve also done a system restore, and still nothing. I get a popup asking me which program I want to use to open up whatever file or app my computer tries to open when I reboot. I’ll post more screen shots soon.

[Samuria]

What version of windows are you running open a cmd prompt them type

winver

The latest is 1803.

Do you want to do a factory reset to an outdated system as you bought it or you can download the latest version free and do a clean install Download Windows 10

[Bruce]

@Samuria - his HiJackThis log shows; Platform: x64 Windows 10 (Home), 10.0.17134 (ReleaseId: 1803), Service Pack: 0

[Tennafa]

version 1803. The popup is gone now, but still can’t play games without unwarranted reboot. Can you walk me through the steps necessary to do a clean install? Do I need to download from the above link onto a thumb drive or disc then install it or do I just download and install from my computer? Is there a way to make sure my computer is completely clean before I install Windows 10 on my system?

[jmarket]

If you want a clean install, Windows 10 offers this. To do so, do the following:

1.) Navigate to Settings. You can get there by clicking the gear icon on the Start menu.
2.) Click Update & Security
3.) Click Recovery in the left pane
4.) Click Get started under Reset this PC
5.) Click Remove Everything
6.) Click Just remove my files

After doing so your computer will be in a clean, fresh state. It will be a fresh installation of Windows 10.

[Bruce]

can I just throw a cautionary note out there - backup your personal data first.

[jmarket]

Did reset, still having trouble with computer restarting while trying to play games. Help please.

Just realized I have two accounts here. If need to delete one, let me know. Thanks.

[DOUGIE]

I have a sneaking suspicion, it may be failing PSU.

[Bruce]

how did checking for dust build up go?
what about testing the memory?

did you do a repair install or a fresh install of Windows?
does the random reboots ONLY occur during one particular game and is it always around the 10 minute mark?

[Tennafa]

Blew out the dust and games seem to play fine now. Thanks for the help, guys. Should have been the first thing I did, but never thought of it. Reset was probably unnecessary but gave me a chance to determine what to keep and what to toss file-wise so wasn’t a total waste.

[Bruce]

glad it was that simple (in the end)