It was not clear what version of windows you are running but I am assuming
windows XP home, professional, or multi-media (professional). And it is not
clear how long you have been running your system, or, if you are running a
reputable anti-virus program with internet security and/or firewall
protection. It goes without saying that if you have a current backup that
was created prior to your problem... you are already in great shape. If
everything goes bad - your prepared for the worst. Some things you can try
before you have to do a full system restore (pain-full at best):
1. If you are running windows XP you should have down-loaded all critical
updates and should have installed all of the service packs (SP1 and SP2).
This should be the starting point.
2. If you are running an anti-virus program ... run an update of your virus
definitions then do a "full" system scan (not just on hard drives). If you
normally have a CD or DVD loaded you might want to remove it before running
the virus scan. If you don't have a good anti-virus program, and you are not
running a good internet firewall "other than windows XP itself" I recommend
you get one immediately.
3. If you have not run scan-disk in a while you should do so, and perhaps,
even if you have, do it anyway. This is especially true if you do a lot of
down-loading and deletions of large files (graphics, movies, animations,
applications). If critical application executables and/or other program
files are terribly fragmented, it would not hurt to ensure everything is in
contiguous space on your hard-drive and compacted. Note: before you run the
scan-disk you should delete anything you already intend deleting that takes
up a lot of disk space. Remember: always use the windows remove applications
function when removing programs - never delete the files from the harddrive
using windows explorer file manager.
Also: prior to running your scan-disk ... turn off any automated scheduled
tasks, then, and only during the scan-disk ... disable your antivirus program
(if possible). Be sure to re-enable it immediately after scan disk.
4. You might go to [Start] - [Help and Support Center] - [Ask for Assistance]
Clicking on either otion below that; "Ask a friend ... " or " Get Support
.... " will reveal four additional options below [ See Also ] which will
include "Advance System Information". If you select this option it will show
you --> View Error Log.
Select that option and look down the list for items like this (From My Error
Log):
Saturday, January 28, 2006 Applicatio n Hang Hanging application
IEXPLORE.EXE, version 6.0.2900.2180, hang module hungapp, version 0.0.0.0,
hang address 0x00000000.
Saturday, January 28, 2006 Applicatio n Hang Hanging application
IEXPLORE.EXE, version 6.0.2900.2180, hang module hungapp, version 0.0.0.0,
hang address 0x00000000.
This is helpful because it can give you information about an application or
module that could be the root cause of the problem. It gives you a starting
point to isolate and troubleshoot a reoccuring problem. You may identify a
common problem with a single application that would permit you to do an
uninstall of that program, and a re-install in the event it has a corrupted
critical file.
5. Another useful feature in the Help and Support Center: If you repeat
the same steps [Start Button] - [Help and Support] - [Ask for Assistance] -
Clicking on either otion below that; "Ask a friend ... " or " Get Support ...
" will reveal the same four additional options as above [ See Also ] which
will include "System Configuration Utility". If you select this option [
Open System Configuration Utility ] a Multi-functional Dialog box opens.
(WITH CAUTION) Go to the tabs to look at [Services] and [Startup].
These tabs show application modules, device drivers, programs that are
loaded on your system and/or those running at start-up of windows. If on the
[Services] Tab you select the option [Hide all Microsoft Services] you can
view applications that have nothing to do with the WindowsXP operating
system. This feature permits you to look for an application you may suspect
is giving you problems. On [Services] you can select an application by
putting a check-mark in the box appearing before it to disable it until you
uncheck the box. This feature may allow you to further troubleshoot a
problem application by disabling it rather than having to un-install.
(WARNING) never disable a file if you cannot absolutely identify the
application or device it belongs to ... it is possible to disable a device
driver critical to the operation of your operating system or hardware
resulting in a critical error. However - it is always useful to know that
you can go here to disable a problem application temporarily to troubleshoot
it.
6. If you are not used to using the "Get Help and Support" function in
WindowXP it really is a great feature. Go to [Start Button] - [Control
Panel] - [Windows Update] - "Under Options" select [Get help and Support]
then select ...
[Try solving your problem with the Troubleshooter]
Get step-by-step solutions when you search for help by an error description
or by the error number displayed in any error messages you receive. You can
enter the error message number right in the search box and hit [SEARCH]. It
really does work pretty good.
Wish you luck in solving your problem.
