Okay, I have been trying to fix my computer for 2 days now.
Specs: Windows 7 32-bit on a dell laptop. Windows 7 has been running successfully for about a month. No recent hardware changes, no recent software changes.
When I start up the computer in either Safe Mode with Networking, or Normal Mode, I get an error message in less than 30 seconds. It says:
“Windows has encountered a critical error, and will restart in one minute. Please save your work now.”
Sure enough, it restarts without correctly shutting down, if I am not quick enough.
The only way I don’t get this error is if I start it in Safe Mode without Networking. I have tried using the System Repair disk, but it comes up with no repairs to make. I have run the sfc / scannow in CMD, but it also comes up clean. I have been continuously running Malware Bytes, Spybot and Avira to rid myself of any viruses. They wound up finding several, but they all come back clean now.
I have heard that when removing viruses, your computer can wind up removing corrupted Windows files, and mess up your OS.
The only explanations I have come close to online, say that it is probably malware that has corrupted my “shutdown.exe” file. But would the Repair Disk not get rid of that?
I am becoming extremely frustrated. Any fresh ideas would be greatly appreciated. Hopefully I didn’t leave out any necessary information.
Please help! Thanks!


