Computer wigs out after sitting for long periods

[Rebecca]

First, I have a Sony Vaio Desktop, PCVW30, not more then
a month old.

When I say wig, I mean it has a mind of its own. When I
click back in (unlock it, because I leave my computer
on), and say I open Outlook, it pops up with an
error "Outlook has detected you are holding the Ctrl key,
would you like to start Outlook in safe mode?" What?
Oh, that's not all, then Outlook opens, and the
Send/Receive screen starts to flicker repeatedly, and
then if I click on the start menu to attempt to log out,
it starts selecting programs, and opening them. If
Internet explorer is left open, 40 IE windows start
opening, and I'm not even doing anything. It won't
Ctrl+Alt+ Delete, the only way I can shutdown is by doing
a hard shutdown and holding the power button. One day,
it started printing on its own, 48 pages...I had to shut
it down and shut off the printer.

At first I thought this was a virus, so I reformatted and
started over, reinstalled all the software. Well, its
been a week, and its starting to do it again. Today the
Outlook wigged out and I had to reboot. This happened
after I installed the new version of MSN Messenger 6.0,
could messenger be causing a conflict with something else
on my machine? I'm testing the theory by uninstalling
the version and reverting back to the original that came
with the machine to see if that works.

ANY SUGGESTIONS? I have the standard software loaded,
Office XP, everything that came with the machine, and a
few extras, Easy CD Creator 5.1.3 Basic, some study
material software...but that's really it.

Rebecca

 

[james]

hello rebecca

it almost sounds like there a problem with you keyboard a
short or bad contact somewhere in your keyboard connector.
is the machine under warranty? i know you said it wasnt
very old do you another keyboard you can swap out to test?

sincerely james

 

[Guest]

Its an all in one, the keyboard is connected to the CPU
and monitor, its one of those new VAIO's. It just
started doing this yesterday, and its been about a week
since I reloaded it and it wasn't doing it. Strange?

 

[Dwight Stewart]

Its an all in one, the keyboard is connected to the CPU
and monitor, its one of those new VAIO's. It just
started doing this yesterday, and its been about a week
since I reloaded it and it wasn't doing it. Strange?

I noticed you said the computer didn't do this for a period of time after
you reinstalled the software. This suggests it's not a hardware related
problem unless you did something different during that time period (shut the
computer off more often or whatever). However, let's quickly go over some
simple hardware issues first.

What about a joystick or gamepad? A friend had a similar problem only to
discover he had a bad joystick. Another friend, with a similar problem, had
a book sitting on his gamepad (pushing several buttons).

If that isn't a possibility, can you access the inside of the computer? If
so, with the computer off and unplugged, check your keyboard connections
(both ends). You may have a bad connection or a bent pin on one of the
connectors.

Check your mouse. Make sure it is plugged in correctly, plugged into the
right connector, and that none of the pins on the connectors are damaged.
Make sure you're not accidentally hitting it while typing. The same with any
trackpad.

If that doesn't do anything, I noticed you leave your computer on. Perhaps
you have a heat related problem (bad connection somewhere that loses contact
when warm). Since this can even be as small as a connection on the
motherboard itself, a trip to the repair shop may be necessary. If the
problem only happens when the computer is warm, this is a likely suspect.

If you can reasonably rule out all those, it's most likely a software
related problem. Take a good look at the keyboard control panel to make sure
all the settings are correct. Have you turned on any accessibility options?
If so, a setting in one of those may be the suspect.

Do you have virus protection software installed and XP's Internet
Connection Firewall turned on? I'm not aware of a virus that will act like
you describe, but you never know with so many out there. Perhaps someone is
trying to access your computer through the internet connection. To prevent
this, the Firewall for your internet connection should always be turned on.

Those are the basics. If none of these work out, try searching the
internet using keywords that very specifically describe your problem. What
you're looking for is someone with a nearly identical problem and any
solution they found. In the meantime, perhaps someone else here will offer a
better response. Good luck.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/

 

[Rafael Osornio]

First, I have a Sony Vaio Desktop, PCVW30, not more then
a month old.

When I say wig, I mean it has a mind of its own. When I
click back in (unlock it, because I leave my computer
on), and say I open Outlook, it pops up with an
error "Outlook has detected you are holding the Ctrl key,
would you like to start Outlook in safe mode?" What?
Oh, that's not all, then Outlook opens, and the
Send/Receive screen starts to flicker repeatedly, and
then if I click on the start menu to attempt to log out,
it starts selecting programs, and opening them. If
Internet explorer is left open, 40 IE windows start
opening, and I'm not even doing anything. It won't
Ctrl+Alt+ Delete, the only way I can shutdown is by doing
a hard shutdown and holding the power button. One day,
it started printing on its own, 48 pages...I had to shut
it down and shut off the printer.

At first I thought this was a virus, so I reformatted and
started over, reinstalled all the software. Well, its
been a week, and its starting to do it again. Today the
Outlook wigged out and I had to reboot. This happened
after I installed the new version of MSN Messenger 6.0,
could messenger be causing a conflict with something else
on my machine? I'm testing the theory by uninstalling
the version and reverting back to the original that came
with the machine to see if that works.

ANY SUGGESTIONS? I have the standard software loaded,
Office XP, everything that came with the machine, and a
few extras, Easy CD Creator 5.1.3 Basic, some study
material software...but that's really it.

Rebecca

Question 1: Do you have AV software? If so update it and run a scan in
safe
mode to rule out a virus infection.
If not, there are several scan available for free online.
The one I
prefer is Symantec's:
http://security.symantec.com
The scan won't remove it but it /will/ identify anything
and
includes a link for virus info/removal instruction.

If there is no virus, try clean booting your computer and see if the
problem continues. Go into Msconfig, click services, hide all
microsoft services and deselect anything left. Back to the general
tab, uncheck everything except "load system services". Apply, reboot.
See if the problem continues.
Systematically recheck one itme at a time, and see which one causes
the problem to re-occur.

A list of running processes from task manage might be useful as well.

~Raf

 

[Peter Hutchison]

At work, we do not like Sony VAIOs at all. They so crap.
If we get one, it automatically gets cut off from our network.

I'd send it back and get something else...

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/