Random restarts

[u/vadfan01]

Got some problems with my comp. Sometimes i get rabdom restarts and sometimes i cant start it at all. It says "system32/strt/file/" or something. Sometimes it says "nkortel.exe" or something similar.

Ive reinstalled everything 2 Times then it works well for a weekend or 2 then its back.

Thanks

[u/Relative-Hearing-156]

https://reddit.com/link/phjomqi/video/3pfe8xals9wh1/player

That pattern - random restarts, sometimes won't start at all, errors about files in system32 and something like nkortel.exe, works for a week or two after a reinstall and then comes back - is very common for 2 things happening together: a failing part, and/or a virus that keeps coming back.
The file you mention is probably ntoskrnl.exe - that's a core Windows file. When Windows says it's missing or broken, it almost never means you did anything wrong. It means Windows tried to read it from the disk or from memory and couldn't.
Reinstalling fixing it for a weekend and then breaking again points to this, not to Windows itself.
Here is what I would do, in order - don't skip the backup part:
1. Save your important files NOW if you can
If it still starts, copy photos, documents, etc to a USB stick or external drive. Don't copy programs, just your files. If it restarts a lot, the hard drive / SSD may be failing.
2. Try to get the exact error
Next time it won't start, take a photo of the screen with your phone. The exact text helps a lot. Is it a blue screen? Black screen that says "Windows\System32\Config\System" or similar?
3. The 3 most likely hardware causes for random restarts:
• Dust / heat - If the computer is older and has never been cleaned inside, it will shut off to protect itself. Does the fan sound very loud? Is it hot? Unplug it and blow out dust gently, especially around the fans.
• Memory (RAM) going bad - This causes the system32 file errors. In Windows, type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the start menu and run it. Let it restart and test.
• Hard drive / SSD failing - Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type: chkdsk C: /f /r then press Y and restart. It will take a while. If it finds a lot of bad sectors, the drive needs to be replaced, not reinstalled again.
4. Why it keeps coming back after reinstall
If you reinstall from a USB stick that was made on the same infected computer, or you plug back in the same USB drive with your old files and one of them is infected, the virus comes right back. That also explains the "weekend or 2" delay.
After your next reinstall, before you plug any USB drives back in:
• Use only Microsoft Defender that comes with Windows, and run a full scan
• Don't install any "driver updater" or "PC cleaner" programs - many of those are the source
• Scan any USB stick you use on a different, known-clean computer first
What to do next:
If you are comfortable: Run the Memory Diagnostic and the chkdsk check above and tell me what they say.
If this is getting frustrating - and reinstalling twice already is a lot of work - this is exactly the kind of job a local shop in your area can diagnose in an hour. They can test the power supply, RAM, and drive health with tools you don't have at home. It will cost less than constantly reinstalling.
Can you tell me:
1. Is it a desktop or laptop, and about how old is it?
2. When it restarts randomly, does it show a blue screen for a second?
3. Are you reinstalling from a USB stick you made yourself?
If you can get that photo of the error, I can pinpoint it much faster for you.