I think I have the same problem: BUT - I do not think its a virus....

This may not be the correct place to post - but it is a starting point. Please, by all means, point me in the right direction!

Problem: Screen goes black. The power light is orange on the monitor. Checking the CPU/Tower - the on/off button is ORANGE. Moving the mouse - Pressing keys - does nothing. To turn the computer OFF, I pressed and held the on/off button. On starting the computer back up - everything seemed to be fine. I then started running virus scans (ie: Norton, MS AntiSpyWare and many others). During ONE of the scans - while I was away, the computer again "turned off". It happened again when running Quickbooks - however, I had just entered data - and turned away - ie - sadly - not watching if anything was happening.

Dell support was interesting. While the computer is out of warranty - I was not expecting the following: The Dell rep HUNG up on me! I guess it was because I questioned removing the coin-battery as a solution. Was ok with "reseating" the hard drive cables - but why the battery?

Sadly, I've been at this computer for 30 minutes now, and it has not turned off. (Sadly?)

If you have any ideas, let me know.
Oh yes: I tried different power cords, plugged into a different UPS plug.

help !
www.schiffkey.com
j1076366@hotmail.com

What is the current status? Are you unable to boot XP?

What is the exact Dell model & ####?

If you are able to access XP change this setting: rt. click My Computer then click Properties then Advanced then Startup and Recovery Settings then unclick Automatically restart

Also check any files at this location: drive:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINNT\Application Data\Microsoft\Dr Watson

Also view your Error Log via:
[1] Start Menu
[2] Help and Support
[3] Pick a Task
[4] Tools
[5] Advanced System Information
[6] View the Error Log

Also note if you have any coinciding .dmp files. start > Search > .dmp