If any one has links to a good system scan-diagnostic program I would appreciate it if you could post. I don't trust searching for one online right now.
Sounds like you got a virus.
Shut down and reboot. While rebooting hit the F8 key. Start Windows in "Safe mode with networking"
Down load and install Malwarebytes" and run it.
This works best if you sign into an account other than the one you use. If you have only one account on the PC then it's harder. You will probably have to run it from a flash drive.
Unplug it and wait till the light goes out in back try again happened to me once that worked
this has worked for me several times; take out hard drive, place in zip lock and throw in the freezer for 20 minutes, place back in computer and boot it up. If this works you won’t much time so get every thing off you can.
Go work in the garden, drink some tea on the porch swing with neighbors ...grieve, prepare for burial, it is Memorial Day.
Reboot. Then Boot up in “Safe Mode” by hitting F8 during start up. Select “Safe Mode with Networking” and see if your stuff is there. Try a restore in Safe mode.
If your system is up, and it sounds like it is, it could be something else. You say everything is missing. Maybe it has been hidden. I've seen malware do this.
You can try going to the control panel, folder options, click the View tab, make sure the dot is checked for Show Hidden Files.
This may reveal something. Let me know what happens and we can go to the next step.
Laptop? Take out battery, hold down power key for one minute, replace battery. Sometimes that works.
I agree also with F8/Safe Mode with Networking/Malwarebytes also.
>> System shuts down about every 10 minutes
Open up the case and make sure all the fans are working. Your CPU fan or case fan may have gone south and the computer shutting down from overheating.
Sounds exactly like a virus going around...
After running Malwarebytes, you may still not see your files, as this virus may hide them. Right click on “My Computer”, select “Properties” and uncheck the “Hidden” box.
Does any visible illumination appear on the screen?
Yea sounds like a virus. To be sure, go to the hardrive MFG website and download their disk diagnostic program. If it passes the check, you’ll need malwarebyte, and or superantispyware. You should also download hitmanpro 3.5. What antivirus program are you using. Depending on your skill level, it may be easier to delete the partition and reinstall.
Throw the SOB in a river and go on vacation.
What is the make and model of your computer?
I wouldn’t mess with it...just restore your last good backup. You do have daily backups, right?
Do you have a system restore cd? If hardware problem, replace the drive and restore. I did it a few times.
For data restore...One word: Carbonite.
Well it looks like you can still get to Web for now.
Before you boot down go here and down load Malwarebytes:
http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5756
After you download open Malware bytes and update. Run the update twice to make sure you have the latest version.
Then boot down all the way.
Start you computer hitting F8 until you are prompted with some options. Choose the “Start up in Safe Mode with Networking”.
Go grab a cup of coffee, it will take a few minutes to get to windows in safe mode.
Allright, you are booted in Safe Mode, couple of options here:
Do Not Do The Following, unless you are comfortable with PC’s (I am)
Run a quick scan which will only take about 30 minutes to complete. Malwarebytes many times will catch all those little “Scare Whare” compononents and zap them.
You could then boot back into normal mode and run Malwarebytes again for a complete scann. Takes hours.
But you will be able to surf again.
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The safest route is when you are in Safe Mode to run a full scan with Malwarebytes. You will not be able to surf during this scan and can go to lunch or take in a movie.
Depending on your drive size and how many files you have it can take 2-3 hours for this to complete.
Download F-prot. Fortune 500 companies and ISP’s use this for Malware and viruses. The personal/home version use to be free, we pay for the commercial version.
Also get Spybot.
Run all the programs with their updates and you should be good to go.
If the system shuts down completely (like power off) then it could be a heat issue. If the system restarts then it’s probably a software issue. There’s an option to automatically restart on system error (rt clk my computer > properties > advanced > startup & recovery > uncheck automatically restart. If it is heat related it could be dirt/dust or thermal compound failure between heatsink/fan & cpu. If laptop - Try blowing out the fan from the opposite direction it sucks usually bottom and dust/dirt will shoot out back or side. Desktop - open side (powered off & unplugged of course) look for big fan w/ metal cube under it and blow fan & between the fins of metal cube (heatsink) then blow out rest of motherboard. Post back w/ more info.
Do NOT run any hardcore programs (esp ComboFix and SuperAntiSpyware) unless you have someone who knows those programs helping you out. They are pretty powerful and can really damage/kill your software if you don’t know what you are doing.
I would suggest going to an actual site dedicated to fixing this type of stuff and getting them to help you out. The two links I posted are both good sites (I usually use the first one if I can’t figure out a problem, but both are very helpful)
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
or
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/