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Windows files broken after a series of unsolicited shutdowns
Dear all,
My setup is the following:
CPU:Intel Core i7-3770, 4x 3.40GHz
VGA:Integrated (Intel HD 4000)
HDD:Intel SSD 520 120GB + WD AV-25 1TB
MB:ASRock Z77E-ITX, Z77
RAM:GeIL Black Dragon 16GB PC3-12800U
Case:Lian Li PC-Q11B, Mini-ITX
PSU:be quiet! Straight Power E9 400W
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
During the last ten days, the PC has experienced occasional but sudden, harsh shutdowns, and by shutdown I mean that the next time I booted the computer up Windows would propose me to start in safe mode because the computer had not been shut down correctly. The first times it appears that no harm was done, but today, after it happened again, my Windows was left damaged with many corrupted system files that even "sfc /scannow" in the admin command prompt could not resolve. chkdsk /f, which was at some point initiated automatically by Windows confirmed a lot (partly non-repairable) broken files. As the system is now, it is unusable and will have to be properly repaired or freshly installed.
However, before doing that, Iwant to make sure that I identify the cause. At this point, I cannot even tell if it is a software or hardware issue, although the fact that the shutdowns were so abrupt and destructive (and not just in a controlled manner, as by some windows process) makes me think that it is a hardware issue. But can a Windows fault be ruled out?
I welcome your help and support - Here's what I have checked yet:
- Anti-virus check using: MSE, AVG Free, Bitdefender Rescue CD
- Checked the SSD using the Intel SSD Toolbox - all fine
- Temperatures had always been ok but I will try a stress test using Prime95 and see if the computer remains stable. UPDATE: Core temperatures get as high as 79°C after 1 hour of running, but the system never crashes.
- I looked up the Event log in the system preferences: There are a couple of events with id 1074 and reason code 0x500ff which according to Google have been linked to exactly this kind of behaviour. The full text of the event reads as follows:
"The process C:\Windows\system32\winlogon.exe (COMPUTER NAME) has initiated the power off of computer COMPUTER NAME on behalf of user USER NAME for the following reason: No title for this reason could be found
Reason Code: 0x500ff
Shutdown Type: restart
Comment: "
While at first sight it seems to match with what previous users in other forums encountered, my circumstances are a bit different: 1) The shutdown type with them is rather "power off" than "restart", as in my case, and the shutdown seems to happen in a controlled manner, i.e., I have not seen anyone report harm was done.
- Around the same time that this series of events began, I switched from Wifi to a wired ethernet connection. But I don't see how this could be connected.
I appreciate anyone's sincere efforts to help me resolve this puzzle.
Best,
Steve
Last edited by Steve06; 03 May 2013 at 20:58.