Solved Possessed computer rebooting constantly

[LionLemur]

I hope this is the right forum for this - it seemed like the only one that made sense. Also apologies for not being able to run the DM log collector yet. I will try to do that asap - right now the pertinent computer is shut down and I'm writing from another computer, as downloading the program and installing it may take several hours given the problem I'm having, and actually making a post from my new comp is unlikely as heck.


My computer randomly powers down for no apparent reason. This happens anywhere from every 5 minutes to every few seconds, and sometimes I can't get the computer to boot at all before it shuts off.


All parts are pretty much brand new except the case. I've reinstalled windows (about 4 or 5 times now).


Previous to the latest reinstall we did find some pups with avg (which I haven't tried to install again) and malwareytes, and allegedly removed them successfully, but the computer started doing this before ANY programs had been installed, if that helps.


I have scanned the system with malwarebytes and zonealarm antivirus and am not showing any problems there at present.

My system:
OS: Win 7 pro service pack 1 x64
Motherboard: Asus M5a97 le r2.0
Processor: AMD fx8320
Graphics card: ONM xfx1-pl
Hard Drive: WD blue 1tb
Power Supply: Coolmax I-500
Memory: DDR3 1600 Adata 4gb

Using a usb keyboard, wireless mouse and acer monitor, no other devices are attached except a lan
to the router (the motherboard doesn't have a wireless card).


We brought it to a local shop. They couldn't find anything wrong but suspected it was the motherboard. We got a replacement motherboard and the same exact thing is still happening.


The CPU fan and power supply have been tested and are running fine and the graphics card doesn't seem to be overheating (everything is cool to the touch). We are also running a fan (just your average household one with the tower open) just in case that's a problem.


I have disabled automatic restart on system failure. That hasn't helped. It still reboots like crazy. I've tried to create dump files, but none have been created. The comp just powers down without permission or warning.


I've only gotten a BSOD once (I believe that was before we reinstalled the last time) with the error message:
stop c000021a, oxc0000001 and oxc00010448


I've also changed the shutdown options so that programs won't be terminated during shutdown, but that doesn't seem to help either, though it does help me delay the restart a little if I keep a notepad file with unsaved content open.


Sometimes, but not always, I get a message on my monitor that says "autoconfig please wait" (which usually results in the computer not starting) other times it starts just fine.


I've run checkdisk and memory test and both are showing the system is fine.


It also powers down in safe mode.


I have tried using the event viewer, but am having a challenge learning to use it or figuring out what parameters I should set for custom view.


I have noticed a huge number of 4107 events, though I'm not sure if this is the problem or just something else. I'll include one of the typical events below. (Most have referenced windows updates though it's possible that one of them was referencing a malwarebytes install or scan.)


Windows is set to not update as we've found some suggestions that updates ARE the problem, though a few updates snuck through before I could disable that. (I'm also not sure how to tell which updates are ones I want and which aren't or how to tell what updates windows wants to do, so a clue here might be useful.)


At the moment the ONLY programs I've installed are zonealarm (firewall and antivirus) and malwarebytes. Just getting those installed and scans run was a nightmare thanks to the constant reboots.


Thats about as complete as I can think of regarding what we've tried. I am at a loss what to try next.


At this point I'm considering hiring an exorcist. Thanks much for your help!

----
Most common event viewer error:

Hope I'm doing this right - stripped out all xml stuff so that it hopefully appears as text and can be read.

Log Name: Application
Source: Microsoft-Windows-CAPI2
Date: 1/1/2015 7:32:38 PM
Event ID: 4107
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Dochiel
Description:
Failed extract of third-party root list from auto update cab at:

http://www.download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/v3/static/trustedr/en/authrootstl.cab

with error: A required certificate is not within its validity period when verifying against the

current system clock or the timestamp in the signed file.
.
Event Xml:
"http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event"
"Microsoft-Windows-CAPI2" Guid="5bbca4a8-b209-48dc-a8c7-b23d3e5216fb"

EventSourceName="Microsoft-Windows-CAPI2" />
EventID Qualifiers="0"4107
Version 0
Level 2
Task 0
Opcode 0
Keywords 0x8080000000000000
TimeCreated SystemTime="2015-01-02T00:32:38.450041300Z"
EventRecordID 555

Execution ProcessID="1040" ThreadID="1552"
Channel Application
Computer Dochiel
EventData
Data

http://www.download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/v3/static/trustedr/en/authrootstl.cab
A required certificate is not within its validity period when verifying against the current

system clock or the timestamp in the signed file.

 

[Laith]

I would try to put my harddrive in another computer and see if the problem happens there. If the problem didnt happen there then i would backup all my stuff and completely wipe the harddrive and re-install windows. If the same thing occurs check your windows installion media.
If the problem occurs on the computer(that you put the harddrive in) then i would run Seatools for DOS and Windows SeaTools for DOS and Windows - How to Use - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Layback Bear]

The first thing I would do is verify the time and date in the bios and Windows 7 is correct.
Then I would complete all Windows 7 Updates including SP-1.

Windows -Windows-CAPI2 could be taken care of when the updates are completed.

Problems with the last batch of Windows Updates has been taken care of by Microsoft to the best of my knowledge.

If you get a BSOD then complete this so our BSOD experts can take a look at the information.

http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

 

[LionLemur]

@ Layback Bear

Thanks! It worked!

I am astonished, but letting the updates happen actually seems to have stabilized the system. Keeping my fingers crossed, but it hasn't tried to reboot without permission for an hour or so now.

I was terrified to let it update because 1) updates managed to kill my old laptop which also ran win7 (admittedly on the way out with an overheating problem) just a couple weeks ago and 2) I was afraid the constant reboots would jam while windows was updating and make things even worse.

@ Laith

Thanks for your advise as well. I'll do these tests if the comp starts losing its mind again, and will keep them in mind if we have suspected HD problems.

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm glade you got things working as they should.
Happy computing.