PC users who are running certain versions of Mcafee Antivirus and Windows XP SP3 are susceptible to a virus that comes via a Mcafee Update (DAT 5958 file).
Apparently this virus will automatically install with this specific Mcafee Update.
The computer will become in-operable and spontaneously reboot and repeat the process.
To fix this issue you can contact Mcafee for a work around. We have also found posted instructions on the web that include the following: (do at your own risk)
Download older Mcafee Update:
http://www.mcafee.com/apps/downloads/security_updates/superdat.asp?region=us&segment=enterprise
Run the file from the command prompt with a /F switch to force the downgrade and reboot when prompted.
If your having trouble accessing the computer long enough to do this fix, goto command prompt and type: shutdown -a
This will reboot the computer and disable automatic reboots
We decided its worth noting this as Mcafee (unfortunately) holds a large market share of antivirus on PC’s.
However all of SOS Support’s clients are recommended and use Sunbelt Vipre antivirus. Vipre is by far the best antivirus/antimalware program available in our opinion!
For more details on this check out the ZDNET article titled McAfee admits “inadequate” quality control caused PC meltdown here: