I have strange “power-off” problem, with new IBM R32 laptop: Type 2658-MG2, running Win XP Professional. Drives = NTFS.
To help config new PC I first connected to Internet without Security Software installed. First task was download Win-XP updates … I installed all necessary Win-XP security patches.
I’ve been making all I-Net connex thru an ISP called “CS-Internet” in Bangkok. At time of these early incidents, this ISP appeared to be experiencing tech problems for extended periods.After only about 2 weeks of use, I noticed unusual packet & hard disk activity. On one occasion, I had to disconnect by pulling modem cable … browser was not responding. Few days later, I received 3 peculiar e-mails. One of which boasted I now needed to get either: a new hard disk, a new computer, and/or a new ISP!
The following day I commenced intensive project to render my R32 laptop secure from intrusion of any kind. I installed Spy Sweeper, Security Boost, and Firewall applications. I then located and remove many adware apps & cookies. But, no Trojans were identified.
Nonetheless, and since that time, my laptop has experienced a total shut down on 6 different occasions, of its own accord, without warning. Meaning, there is no shutdown sequence, simply click … “zap” … accompanied by a very short squeak of the audible alarm. This transition from ‘full on’ to ‘full off’ is “instant”.
Despite efforts at maintaining high level of security (keeping updated virus and spyware definitions, and performing full disk sweeps using them) my laptop is still prone to this instant shut-off problem.
It has continued after I updated the BIOS, and a number of drivers (including Power Management updates) from IBM.
Bearing in mind the content of that maliciously worded e-mail, does anyone have any idea what might be causing this intermittent shutdown problem? Have I been hacked?