Computer Advice needed (Windows XP OS problem I think)...

[AmyStrange]

Hi everyone,

OK, I bought a compter earlier this month. Having a very weird problem with the Windows XP OS.

I turn it on and most times the scrolling light (under the Windows logo) sputters as it scrolls and then stops. Nothing else happens so I reset it and sometimes have to hit the reset button two or three times before it finally goes all the way through and starts up correctly.

THEN, it will work for 30 minutes and then everything freezes up and even the CTRL+ALT+DEL buttons won't work, so I have to reset it and go throught the scrolling madness all over again and

THEN, it will work for an hour and do the freezing thing all over again, and reset, and when it finally boots all the way up for the third time, it works fine for atleast 6 hours which is the longest I've ever had it on.

It's a top of the line Intel 2.6Mhz (IIRC) Celeron, with 256 (IIRC) RAM and a 40 gig harddrive and a DVD burner and separate DVD reader. It's a sweet setup except for the scrolling Windows madness.

What the hell is going on?

Any ideas or suggestions.

Thanx in advance. I'm at work right now and am getting ready to go home, so I won't be able to respond back for atleast a couple hours or so,


Dave (AmyStrange.com) Ayotte
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[Roark]

1. Memory

Check your memory sticks...

The variable up times and the long load times are suspect.

If you have two sticks installed, pull one out and try to run on the one left. If the problem continues, trade them and try it on the other stick. If this fixes your problem, one of your memory sticks is screwed and will need to be replaced.

If you only have one stick, try to download a memory testing program from www.memtest.com . Be warned though, I had a similiar problem and Memtest missed it. The stick switch out is much more certain.

[AmyStrange]

3. Memory stick?

I'll to check into that, but are you talking about the Ram?

thanx for the advice,

d

[ulTRAX]

2. have you

Have you updated your anti-virus and done a complete system scan?

Are you or anyone in your home in a habit of downloading free programs? While there's plenty of good shareware out there... there's also a lot of spyware/adware. You might want to try down a free program called AdAware 6... which you can get here http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10214379.html?tag=lst-0-1

Once it's installed, update it, then do a full system scan. I ran a scan on a friend's PC and came up with nearly 800 hits... most tracking cookies.... but she had downloaded so much free stuff such as CometCurser, Gator, etc that it was crashing her system. Once the crap was removed, her system ran fine.

I should add, that since your system is so new... doesn't come with support? I also believe that Windows provides some free support sessions for XP users.

[AmyStrange]

4. This problem has been with my computer...

(it's new) from the first time I started using the computer and before I first connected to the internet, but I will definitely check out that link and thanx for your advice,

d

[MsUnderstood]

5. Couple of things

If your computer has always been that way (freezing up) then it could definitely be a hardware issue.

You should run a scan disk and defrag to make sure the HD is okay.

If you purchased this from a company (gateway, dell, etc) then check with them about the issue. The memory is a good suggestion too.

If it has ever booted up properly (ie it happened after the first day)then it could be software that was installed. Run adaware or try www.safer-networking.org for spybot (also free).

You may need to disable some services--there is an excellent website dedicated to helping you with winxp service questions:

http://www.blackviper.com/

Good luck.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Update your antivirus program and

do a complete system scan. Most antivirus programs will work from within Safe Mode.

It sounds like either a major system corruption issue, or as was previously suggested by others, a possible physical memory problem. Since it's a new machine, it should be under factory warranty, and they should look at it and repair it at no cost to you. Return it to the store immediately and let them deal with it. Right after the virus check.

[scottcsmith]

7. I take it this isn't a top-of-the-line model?

I'd take it back to where you purchased it and have them deal with it. IMHO the processor is overheating. You've probably got a cheap-ass fan cooling off that processor. Well, it's probably not cooling off anything at all.

You really need to get to the bottom of what is happening when you boot up. If you can get into Windows you should look at the event log. You get to it this way:

1) Click on "Start"
2) Select "Settings"
3) Select "Control Panel"
4) Select "Administrative Tools"
5) Select "Event Viewer"

You'll have access to the error log. You should probably start with the application log to look for error messages. Then look at the system log. I suspect you'll discover what's wrong in one of those two log files. The errors will have red bullets that say "error." You can then get in touch with the tech support for your PC and tell the tech what the log files say. I suspect there's a faulty piece of hardware somewhere, if it's not the overheating processor.

Good luck.

[Dob Bole]

8. I agree.

Especially if you get the "system has recovered from a serious error" when you get back into Windows, your fan may be inadequate/unplugged. Windows should load fine on 256MB of RAM. Oh wait, you said you had a 2.6MHZ processor.

If it's still under warranty, the best thing to do is send it back before you screw yourself.

Dob Bole

[Florida_Geek]

9. XP acts that way with my machine and it's video card

When it happens to me, I have to F8 into safe mode, boot, change the video to VGA and reboot. Then it comes up in VGA mode OK. Then I have to rechange the video properties to the normal video setting.

Do not ask me why this works on my machine. BUT it does sound like it could be your new video card. On my, the mouse pointer freezes.

[scottcsmith]

10. You've got a major hardware problem

You do realize that what you've described is not how your PC should function. If your video card is under warranty you can get an RMA from the manufacturer and send it in for repair. Do you have your video card overclocked?

[lojasmo]

11. BIOS chip

Sounds like a faulty bios chip, or motherboard. Bad news. I hope it's still under warranty.

[jayfish]

12. Sounds Like A Driver Problem To Me.

Here is what you can do to check. When your POST screen comes up (the screen that has your mfg.'s logo or counts up your ram) start hitting F8 like a madwoman. As you practice this ritual you will learn a more appropriate time to hit F8. Once the OS starts to boot you will receive a menu full of options. The two that you want to pay attention to are "VGA Mode" and "Safe Mode". Try safe mode 1st. If XP boots correctly, try it again. Try this a few times until you can get the system to lock or you decide that enough is enough. If you cannot get the system to lock while booting into safe mode try VGA mode. The important thing about booting into these two modes is that the OS loads verbose. That is as the OS loads, the files and drivers that load are displayed on your screen. If your system locks while booting into either of these modes you will see either the last successful file/driver that loaded or the file that is locking your system. You can usually tell what that file/driver does by looking at its name or copying its' name and doing a deja (google)search for the file name. Update the driver that uses that file. If that does not help you will need to dig a bit deeper. Get XP to boot normally. Once it is booted, open the file bootlog.txt. Search the text for the file you wrote down when the system did not boot correctly. Deja (Google) the next file listed and update the driver it is associated with. Hopefully that will solve your problem. If that doesn't cure your ills or if the file name is different each time XP locks, you may indeed have a hardware problem.

Jay

[AmyStrange]

13. Thanx everyone...

you've all been so much help. I really appreciate it,

d